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Tasteless rockmelon

Posted by jampolk NSW Aust (My Page) on
Mon, Mar 28, 05 at 6:39

Hi
I am growing a couple of rockmelon vines, and last week ate the first one.
Sooooo disappointing! It was completely tasteless!
It wasn't huge in size, maybe as big as a large grapefruit. When I cut it open the seeds were all formed and the colour was good, but no scent and absolutely nooo taste.
Does anyone no why, and what can I do to NOT grow tasteless melons next spring/ summer.
The seeds were from Greenpact I think... can't remeber the variety, Hales Best or something....


Follow-Up Postings:

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RE: Tasteless rockmelon

I had the same problem the Season before, mine tasted shocking they were so salty
The only fertiliser I used was a seaweed based one so I blamed that.
Maybe that dont like fertliser, did you fertlise yours ....MM


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RE: Tasteless rockmelon

  • Posted by deejaus Melb.Vic. Aust (My Page) on
    Mon, Mar 28, 05 at 17:52

Hi Jampolk & Mistymorn,
I read that if melons get too much water in the ten days before harvest they will lose a lot of their sugars and hence flavour with it. I have no personal experience in this area, but thought I would share this info. with you
Dee.


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RE: Tasteless rockmelon

Are you sure that you let the melon ripen fully

Melons do not ripen once they are picked...sure they get softer but that is only decomposition in play

they may have been mature but not fully mature
cheers
Peter


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RE: Tasteless rockmelon

Well, there were a few days of rain before I picked it, so maybe that was the reason?
I pretty well left them alone once the plants got going, I didn't feed them, hardly watered them... and expected a delicious treat! Admittedly they didn't/ don't get a heap of direct sunlight.
Next time I'll try picking them after a week of sunshine... and see if that helps the flavour.


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RE: Tasteless rockmelon

Mine were mature alright Peter and normal size.

Dee thanks for that info but it is one I know and I get beautiful sweet tastying
watermelons by doing that, so I would have done the same with the Rockmelons.

It is so dry up here in the Summer, that I have to water everything.
But then sometimes we do get huge downpours so maybe that was it......MM


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RE: Tasteless rockmelon

Hi Jampolk, I grew the Minnesot Midget Rockmelon, a new listing from Diggers Seeds this year, first time I've grown rockmelon. It was absolutely delicious! I thought Victoria would be too far south. The fruit is only about 10-12cm diameter, but I'm just picking the last of them now. I had them in a very warm, sunny spot. Really worth a try! The plants only took up a couple of metres too. I pick them when they lift off the stem without pulling. Helen


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RE: Tasteless rockmelon

Not too far south Helen because I grow them here...just select early types that are cool tolerant
cheers
Peter


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RE: Tasteless rockmelon

  • Posted by jampolk MarrickvilleNSW (My Page) on
    Sat, May 14, 05 at 5:24

So Helen
how many fruit have you got per plant?
I am tying to be a bit hippy as well and plant older non hybrid varieties. That said, I defintely do not want tasteless disapointment next summer. So any other varieties that people can suggest of delicious melons that will grow well in Sydney... let me know
janeP


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RE: Tasteless rockmelon

Wow Peter, just goes to show that you can't experiment too much! I must try to limit my husband's megalomanical tomato growing so there's more room for everything else!

Jane, I only put two plants in, about a metre apart, and they probably had a dozen fruit between them. At first we had to pig out but later they ripened at decent intervals. We dried some - delicious - they don't lose any flavour! One of the plants would have been very happy to climb if it had had a good support.

Helen


 
 

 

 


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