Your comments and tips

24 Jan 12, mal (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

I live in hoppers crossing vic and have raised veggie beds in my front yard. I have several rockmelon plants laiden with quite large fruit. I never expected them to grow this well considering the location I am in, is this unusual?

Reply or Post a new comment

01 Feb 12, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

hi iam in hoppers aswell we have a lot of melons how can you tell when they are ready do they change colour"?

Reply or Post a new comment

08 Jan 12, kate (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

I have 4 rockmelon plants in my terracotta pot out on the balcony and they are growing really well. I have 3 small rockmelons growing on them (they are still green). I actually got these seeds from the rockmelons from the supermarket out of the half rockmelon I purchased. I took them out of the rocky & dried the seeds out and replanted them. Voila..... I have my own plants growing. Our season here in Victoria has been all over the place. But I am pleased to say that I finally have rockmelons going on my balcony in a bigish terracotta pot.

Reply or Post a new comment

30 Dec 11, Jane Williams (Australia - temperate climate)

We planted, bought seedlings about 8 to 10 weeks ago. The vines are growing well and have lots of little yellow flowers, but no sign of any melons forming as yet. We have other veggies in that the bees seem to like but haven't seen any on the rock melon flowers at all. Do we need to hand pollenate them?

Reply or Post a new comment

26 Dec 11, Barbara (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

I planted rock melons and water melons in a tank. The plants germinated and appeared to be growing well and flowering. However the tiny rock melons turned yellow and dropped off when about 1 cm long. Do you think there is a soil deficiency?

Reply or Post a new comment

31 Dec 11, NAFISA (Australia - arid climate)

Barbara, The same happened with my pumpkins in Broken Hill, until I was told that it is a pollination problem. Bees do not want to live in Broken Hill. We have to hand pollinate the dear pumpkins. Lots of info about how to on the internet. Nafisa

Reply or Post a new comment

12 Dec 11, malcolm (Australia - arid climate)

what do rockmelon leaves look like .i got a plant growing .iknow i have put rockmelon seeds in the garden ,but never seen rockmelon grow from scratch

Reply or Post a new comment

14 Dec 11, Ian (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Perhaps you could try starting out the seeds in pots with good quality potting mix. As a rule I always sow 3 times as many seeds as I need for my own use. You get to pick out the strongest for yourself; some may fail, and you can give others away whilst comparing ideas with other local gardeners. Hope this helps.

Reply or Post a new comment

06 Dec 11, Liz (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

How do I know when a rock melon is ready to harvest

Reply or Post a new comment

06 Dec 11, Ian (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Rockmelon are ready for harvest when the stem begins to brown and appears to be separating where it attaches to the melon. I carefully lift the melon and try to gently rotate the stem, it will come away easily when ready.After harvest I leave them outside 2-3 days in mild sun to ripen. Then into the fridge.Hope this helps.

Reply or Post a new comment