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
08 Apr 15, karl (Australia - temperate climate)
How long does it take for the rockmelon to ripen.once the vine has died off.thankyou....karl.
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23 Mar 15, (Australia - arid climate)
"Pick on the Slip" -They will slip off the bush, so where the vine connects to the fruit it will break. you can sometimes see the stem connections starting to shrink. but if you lift up the fruit and it falls off its ready.
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21 Mar 15, Russell (Australia - temperate climate)
How to know melons are ready to eat
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21 Mar 15, Athalie (Australia - arid climate)
Our rockmelons came up by themselves and we will be picking soon. How long will a rockmelon last when picked?
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21 Feb 15, Megan (Australia - temperate climate)
Could it be powdery mildew? If so spray with 50/50 milk and water once a week
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14 Feb 15, Michael Chenery (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
My rock melon is growing wild looks very healthy but still no flowers since before Christmas How long will it take to flower Regards Mick
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04 Feb 15, sandy (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have about 20 fruit growing at various stages on the one plant but all of a sudden the leaves are going spotty then brown and dying.any suggestions
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01 Feb 15, Bill (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
rockmelon plants grow well, lots of male flowers, occasional female flower, these go to about marble size, yellow and drop off. maybe not pollinated?
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13 Mar 15, (Australia - temperate climate)
Sounds like not pollinated - cross pollinate them by hand.
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28 Jan 15, Horsome (Australia - temperate climate)
I finally have fruit growing ! 4 plants, planted seedlings Oct, Nov. In a sandy soil with some fresh compost mix. The turning points? Big rainfalls in late December encouraged plant growth, recently started picking of runners as female flowers weren't taking, then bam over a week later about half a dozen fruit took off, aiming to get 2 dozen at least.
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Showing 101 - 110 of 217 comments
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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.

- adam synnott

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