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

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08 Jan 14, Jane (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have grown Rockmelons in Brisbane ,and had about 10 but there are still a few flowers on the vine but no more rockmelons appear to be growing .When do I actually pull up the vines as there appears to be nothing happening except small yellow flowers, do they all come at once or in waves?
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07 Jan 14, reg rouse (Australia - temperate climate)
As I have limited space can I tip prune my rockies, Will this help the remaining fruit grow larger. thank you
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25 Dec 13, Denise Purser (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
My dad used to grow a fruit on a vine that we put sugar on to eat. Had a flowery texture and a very thin cream skin and was oval in shape and seeds in middle. We called them cubes (not sure if this is correct spelling). I can't find anything on them anywhere, so any help would be appreciated as it is needed to settle a dispute.
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23 Dec 14, Marilyn Bluhdorn (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Denise, I think what you are describing could be Indian Cream Cobra Melon. If so, seeds are available online from Eden Seeds.
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20 Nov 13, Denise (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Sue, just starting my rockmelons now. How long did it take to germinate them?
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28 Nov 13, Marianne (Australia - temperate climate)
Between 7 to 12 days dependant of the heat and amount of water they get.
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17 Nov 13, Sue (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
What are the yellow beetles eating the flowers on my Rockies , I thought they were lady beetles but the are longer and only eat the petals , I hope they are pollinating at the same time.
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12 Jun 13, Alan wu (Australia - tropical climate)
To stop the melon from rotting on the ground, lift the melon place 2 bricks on the ground under the melon , rest a piece of arc mesh on the bricks ( about 12 inch square, place a little dry grass on the arc mesh and lower the melon on to the dry grass. This will allow the air to keep the melon dry.
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12 Jun 13, Alan Wu (Australia - tropical climate)
What type of fertiliser do I need to help the rockmelon plant produce flowers
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23 Aug 13, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
seasol does well to help produce flowers and healthy roots
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Showing 131 - 140 of 217 comments
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When the plant first starts sending out runners there is mainly male flowers. Then there will be female flowers, It takes a lot of visits from bees to pollinate and set the fruit. I hand pollinated pumpkin the other week and one female flower set fruit and the other didn't. The answer I have no idea. Pumpkins, cues melons are all in the same family. The pumpkin female flower only opens for about 6-9 hrs for one day. Probably melons cues zucchinis are the same. If you are in the sub-tropics you probably should have planted these 2 mths earlier. My rockies (I should have planted a month earlier) are about 5-10 days from start picking and some grubs are just destroying the leaves.

- Mike

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