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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30 Mar 13, Jan (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, Im in Adelaide and I'm just wondering if I can grow rockmelon all year round so I can have a constant supply. Cheers, Jan.
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15 Nov 13, Denise (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Jan, I live in Adelaide as well and starting with the rockmelons now. Did you have any success so far?
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16 Feb 13, marilyn (Australia - temperate climate)
We have an incredible crop of very large rockmelons - organic. Unfortunately, slatters & dung bettles got into 6 ripe ones followed by vinegar flies which rotted them. Because the ones nearby were going to be attacked I picked them. They are not quite ripe. Is there any method of ripening picked rock melon? At last we have 4 days of cooler weather so I can spray with natural oils & pyrethrum. I am reluctant to pick any more until I am sure they will ripen. Thanks
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06 Feb 13, Mary (Australia - temperate climate)
Why can't you grow rock melons with potatoes?
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19 Jan 13, Keryn (Australia - temperate climate)
I planted rockmelon plants approx 9 weeks ago. They have grown well, and plenty of flowers, but no fruit. Not many bees this year, so what do I do to "pollinate" the flowers?
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02 Jan 13, Reg Offord (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Should i prune the runners on my rockmelons? I have 3 vines, one came up itself, (it is doing best), the other 2 i planted in compost, and because of the heat, i have now mulched with lucurne.
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10 Dec 12, joyngire2MCLEOD HOLDINGS (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
how do you tell male to female flowers. is it hard to grow rockmelon in subtropical areas
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20 Dec 12, Bert (Australia - temperate climate)
Rock melon as in other such plants like pumpkin can be identified by the swelling at the base. The male will have a (dont want to be rude) pistle I think it is called, protruding in the flower. With the female you can already see the fruit, just needs the male to get going.
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25 Nov 12, Ean Sutton (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I live in Newcastle (Australia) and seem to be having trouble with rockmelon polination. Is there a sure fire way of rectifying this problem and is there an obvious difference between the male and female flowers appearance
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24 Nov 12, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
High I have grown water mellon on the North West Coast of Tasmania and grew on almost clay and a cup of water each plant per day and I now live on the east Coast of Tasmania and have tried to grow again but I must say the seed was old so have brought fresh water mellon seeds and are trying rock mellon as well would like to know any hints you may have might I also add we have had to make all our own soil with composting anything and everything we live inland and it is quite hot over the summer months for Tassie, up to 30 and very dry
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Showing 141 - 150 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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