Growing Rockmelon, also Canteloupe

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25 Feb 16 Lindsay (Australia - temperate climate)
I have 5 rockmelon plants growing nicely. They are covered in flowers, BUT only Male flowers. I can't see any Female flowers and hence I've had only 1 small melon. What can I do to encourage some female flowers and melons? Thanks
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17 Mar 16 William (Australia - temperate climate)
Lindsay, if you are still having trouble with getting female flowers, try adding blood & bone liberally and either composted sheep or cow manure. Also, when you see a runner with lots of male flowers, chop off the end. This should promote some runners from the same one, probably with females. I leave 2 - 3 males on the stem then dock all runners... remember, one male flower can polinate all the open female flowers!
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28 Feb 16 Linda (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Lindsay, I don't know what fertilizer your using, but, I've been told that if you use chicken manure to grow watermelons, they will grow heaps of male flowers at the expense of female flowers, this may apply to other types of melons as well, I need to research this but thought it was something to think about when prepping your soil next season, hope this helps, Cheers, Linda
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