Growing Rockmelon, also Canteloupe

View the Rockmelon page

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
Reply
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!
Reply
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
Reply
Gardenate App

Put GardenGrow in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use GardenGrow and subscribe to the free GardenGrow planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About GardenGrow | Contact us | Privacy Policy

This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. GardenGrow is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.