To speed ripening they may be put into a plastic bag. Ripe fruits can be kept in the refrigerator in plastic bags for a few days. Melons Selection Melons do not ripen further once they are picked. This fruit is shaped symmetrically round, oval or oblong. It should be free of cracks, soft spots, or dark bruises.
Ripe melons are firm, but a slight softness is a good sign.
In some melons a full fragrance is a clue to it's maturity, but if they have been chilled the fragrance will not be noticed. Others don't have any fragrance even when ripe. To improve the eating quality of melons they can be left at room temperature for two to four days. This will turn the fruit softer and juicier but not sweeter as they do not ripen any more once picked. If during this time the fruit does not reach its ripeness peak it's because it was picked unripe and is not worth eating.