Your comments and tips

04 Sep 10, Robyn (Australia - tropical climate)

I'm in darwin as well and was told never to plant tomoto plants in the ground. Pots apparently work well.

Reply or Post a new comment

21 Jan 10, Helen (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

I have RMs growing both climbing as well as crawling on the ground. They are all growing very well sized. How do I know when to harvest? I dont want to lose any of them. I live in Perth

Reply or Post a new comment

11 Jan 16, Loren (Australia - temperate climate)

Hi, We're in Perth and have 5 vines. The two oldest vines sprouted together in situ and we already have 5 melons. We're novices so it's quite exciting getting the kids involved. So far no issues but thought I'd share!

Reply or Post a new comment

20 Feb 15, Pam (Australia - temperate climate)

I have grown 2 huge rockmelons and one have picked 1 which doesn't have much flavour. I have always dug the vege scraps into the garden fertilised regularly and soil looks good. Anyone got any clue why Pam

Reply or Post a new comment

10 Jan 10, Helen O'Toole (Australia - temperate climate)

We planted afew seeds and now we have have about 12 rockmelons that will be ready at the same time is there any way I can preserve them?

Reply or Post a new comment

22 Nov 09, Betty Menzies (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

My rock melons like to attach themselves to a vertical wire-netting fence. Should I encourage them to grow upwards as a vine, then support the fruit somehow, or are they better to remain growing along the ground?

Reply or Post a new comment

18 Nov 09, adam synnott (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

Liv, yes rockmelons are from the curcurbit family, and need to be pollinated like a pumpkin of zucchini. They have male and female flowers, and I find it easier to pollinate by hand. The females have a small ball thingy on the base of the flower,(obviously, this is a small rockie, waiting to happen), and i take a male flower and press it into the flower of the female. The pollen is more potent when damp, so the early morning is a good time to do this. Often rockies have a small flower hidden under something, and I hand pollinate to make sure I get some rockies, otherwise, it's hit and miss. I'm in Armidale in NSW, and often the weather just isn't warm enough to ripen rockies and watermelon, but with a shadehouse or hothouse, I should get some this year. Good Luck.

Reply or Post a new comment

31 Oct 10, Ivan (Australia - temperate climate)

Sir I am from South Africa and thinking of planting watermelon in a shadehouse. Is there any spesific type you will recomment and do you take them off the ground like tomatoes with strings or leave them on the ground? Thanks Ivan van Zyl

Reply or Post a new comment

17 Nov 09, LIV (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

do rockmelons come from flower buds??

Reply or Post a new comment

01 Sep 09, Wendy (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

Anyone have any luck growing rockmelon in the Springwood area (Blue Mountains NSW)? when did you plant and what tips can you share? Thanks in advance for any advice.

Reply or Post a new comment