Excessive hot winds and temps are hard on them. Mine are as crappy this year as the caller's.
Melons are ripe when the underside of the fruit turns greenish white to cream in color.
Fruits should be full size, dull and the skin should resist penetration from the thumbnail. Tendrils on fruit stem will be turning brown. Trim off the lower two sets of leaves before planting the clematis. Water its root ball well, then set it in the hole. If the roots are circling the rootball, tease them open and spread the roots over the soil in the hole.