Growing Rockmelon, also Canteloupe

Cucumis melo : Cucurbitaceae / the gourd family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
                S S    
                  T T T
                  P P  

(Best months for growing Rockmelon in Australia - temperate regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed

September: Frost tender

  • Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 20°C and 32°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 40 - 60 cm apart
  • Harvest in 10-16 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Sweetcorn, Sunflowers
  • Avoid growing close to: Potatoes

Your comments and tips

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for Australia | for all countries
11 Jan 16, Chris Coughran (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Why are my rockmelons dying upon ripening?
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21 Dec 15, Tracey (Australia - arid climate)
I live in hot Queensland my yard is in sun most of the day how will growing a Rockmelon vine handle the sun
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17 Dec 15, Doug ridge (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Dad has a very healthy looking rockmelon in a raised bed...gave the vine two buckets yesterday of diluted power feed...the flowers now look brighter an there are a lot of them...but know sight of any fruit forming yet???also noticed today a few leaves with a greyish looking mould on some of the leaves...hasn't been a lot of sunlight the last couple of days! Dad has the vine held by a wire fence ...stopping his dog from jumping in there????
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10 Dec 15, San (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi All, I am looking for Indian long melon (Lauki) and bitter gourd seeds. Does anyone have them? I am happy to share the seeds I have with me. Thank you, San
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08 Oct 15, Azed (Australia - temperate climate)
will different rockmelon varieties cross pollinate if planted close to each other
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02 Oct 15, Maddy (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi, I have a big pile of dirt out the back of my house and lately a small melon type fruit has grown in it. Was wondering if there is a way to tell you what it is?
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06 Oct 15, Bob (Australia - temperate climate)
Hello, They are probably paddy melons
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17 Sep 15, Col Henssler (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
will rockmelon grow in Busselton W.A. Australia
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11 May 15, tony (Australia - temperate climate)
can you grow rockmelons in the cooler months
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01 Jul 15, Max nicholas (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Not unless you have a green house, rockmelons grow best in hot climates. The frost wouls also kill them even if they were fully grown.
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Showing 91 - 100 of 217 comments
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The older varieties use to start turning yellow and they would pull away from the vine easy when ripening. And you could smell the rocky smell. Called slipping. The new varieties in the super markets don't do this so it is a bit of a guessing game. They have green skin and the flesh is tough. I grew some of the newer ones and around ripening time we had 5

- Mike

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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. Gardenate 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.
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