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Watermelons Everywhere in St. Bernard Parish
WAFB ^ | Dec 22, 2005, 07:00 PM CST | Jim Shannon

Posted on 12/23/2005 10:14:27 AM PST by CajunConservative

This one is puzzling thousands of people. St. Bernard Parish, virtually wiped out following Hurricane Katrina, is seeing the spontaneous growth of watermelons. They're everywhere! It's a post-Katrina phenomenon that has even the experts baffled.

"I've never seen anything like this before," said Dr. Ron Strahan of the LSU Ag Center as he surveyed the watermelon infestation.

The fruit, which is normally planted in April, has been sprouting up all over St. Bernard Parish ever since Katrina. Presumably, the seeds were deposited during the hurricane and unusually high temperatures have produced a natural mystery.

"It's just going to be one of those things we're probably not going to be able to explain," said Strahan.

According to Strahan, the clay in St. Bernard absorbed the sunlight, retaining the heat and allowing the melons to grow. A watermelon's consistency is 90 percent water, which means if you eat the St. Bernard Parish melons, you're drinking Katrina juice.

"I don't think I'd want to eat them," Strahan laughed. "I don't think so, but it's just something unusual to look at, maybe take some pictures of and remember this happened after Katrina 2005 and we'll probably never see again."

Katrina may have planted the melons, but bees had to pollinate them, which indicates that growth is possible in St. Bernard Parish following the storm. Even if it is Katrinan melons.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; US: Louisiana
KEYWORDS: katrina; louisiana; miraclemelons; stbernardparish
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To: Names Ash Housewares

I would be curious if they do a study on any toxic substances in them.

Care to take a bite?


21 posted on 12/23/2005 10:29:36 AM PST by moog
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To: CajunConservative

Watermelons = Marxist environmentalists.


22 posted on 12/23/2005 10:29:41 AM PST by HostileTerritory
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To: Rebelbase

This is just another MSM attempt to assign racism to hurricane Katrina relief efforts.

I agree. The honeydews and the canteloupe are getting discriminated against.


23 posted on 12/23/2005 10:30:29 AM PST by moog
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Comment #24 Removed by Moderator

To: HostileTerritory

Watermelons = Marxist environmentalists.

Maybe melonheads, but I REFUSE to believe that all of those watermelons have been tainted in such a way. They may be a little red and seedy inside, but they are still green and sour on the outside.


25 posted on 12/23/2005 10:31:43 AM PST by moog
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To: HostileTerritory

Not here, watermelons are good eating. Let me rephrase, Sugartown watermelons are good eating. My grandfather used to grow them.


26 posted on 12/23/2005 10:31:58 AM PST by CajunConservative (Don't Blame Me, I Voted for Jindal.)
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To: SteveJudd

Sounds like a new style of grits.


27 posted on 12/23/2005 10:32:13 AM PST by moog
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To: SteveJudd

I miss Justin Wilson, he could tell some good stories. You're right too.


28 posted on 12/23/2005 10:34:10 AM PST by CajunConservative (Don't Blame Me, I Voted for Jindal.)
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To: CajunConservative
After forest fires some dormant seeds germinate. Something similar is probably happening there.

Since most everyone eats watermelon and spit the seeds out randomly, nature probably responds accordingly. The fact that they are widespread would suggest that is what is happening. Some Botanist at a state University could probably solve the mystery.
29 posted on 12/23/2005 10:35:35 AM PST by billhilly (Demo camo is yellow and white)
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To: CajunConservative

Dang! Looks like the real thing! There are places on the west coast (Ca) where something resembling watermelons grow spontaneously.

But they never really seem to ripen and taste pretty bland.


30 posted on 12/23/2005 10:35:40 AM PST by djf (Bush wants to make Iraq like America. Solution: Send all illegal immigrants to Iraq!)
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To: billhilly

After forest fires some dormant seeds germinate. Something similar is probably happening there.

We had a fire here. When the grass grew back, it was taller than anything there had been before.

Actually, I think one of Johnny Appleseed's relatives has been hard at work.


31 posted on 12/23/2005 10:37:25 AM PST by moog
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To: djf

But they never really seem to ripen and taste pretty bland.

Same with those wild sunflowers and daisies. My cow liked them though.


32 posted on 12/23/2005 10:38:12 AM PST by moog
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To: CajunConservative

surveyed the watermelon infestation.

It's a preview to bird flu.


33 posted on 12/23/2005 10:39:03 AM PST by moog
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To: jjmcgo

"Mustard draws lead and other metals out of the ground"

So whats in my mustard jar?


34 posted on 12/23/2005 10:40:05 AM PST by Rennes Templar ("The future ain't what it used to be".........Yogi Berra)
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To: billhilly

They could have had a container full of melons or seed packets that got spilled during the storm. It was very hot afterwards. It wouldn't have taken much to germinate.


35 posted on 12/23/2005 10:40:40 AM PST by CajunConservative (Don't Blame Me, I Voted for Jindal.)
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To: Rennes Templar

So whats in my mustard jar?

I think it would be a cool way to mine stuff myself.


36 posted on 12/23/2005 10:40:41 AM PST by moog
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To: CajunConservative

It wouldn't have taken much to germinate.

Particularly with all the Nazi-like influence going on.


37 posted on 12/23/2005 10:41:36 AM PST by moog
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To: Sax

I look DEEPLY askance at Thailand shrimp.


38 posted on 12/23/2005 10:43:27 AM PST by txhurl (hook'em)
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To: jjmcgo
Interesting....

These folks must of eaten lots of melons in the past...lots of seeds left in the soil. Maybe?

39 posted on 12/23/2005 10:43:40 AM PST by shield (The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instructions.Pr 1:7)
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To: CajunConservative

I garontee you dat. He could also shoot him four or three duck wit dat twice barrel carobine.


40 posted on 12/23/2005 10:44:17 AM PST by billhilly (Demo camo is yellow and white)
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