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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01 Sep 09, Wendy (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Anyone have any luck growing rockmelon in the Springwood area (Blue Mountains NSW)? when did you plant and what tips can you share? Thanks in advance for any advice.
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02 Apr 09, Sharon (Australia - temperate climate)
We have a rockmelon plant that has come up through the compost when I mixed it in the vege patch. We have 2 softball size fruit and at least 8 more growing. Wondering how long it takes for them to mature and is it too late in the season for them to be productive? We live on the NSW south coast. Thanks Sharon
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28 Feb 09, Kathleen Gibbin (Australia - tropical climate)
What type of soil is best for rockmelons
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08 Jan 09, Simon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi, we purchased a few rockmelon seedlings which were planted into the ground 2 months ago, they have grown wonderfully. The vines that is, there are little yellow flowers, but no fruit has started to show. Are we doing something wrong, do we need to trigger fruit by feeding the plant something special? Thanks, Simon
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26 Dec 08, Fay Walker (Australia - temperate climate)
I have the same issue as Steven re my RM plant gone yellow and would love to hear any comments. I live Sydney, Epping(Northern Sydney). Thanks, Fay
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17 Dec 08, Tina (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
hi,...i have 2 rockmelon vines growing . they are growing fast and i have fruit starting to form on them already, but the fruit looks like it has stopped growing at the moment and the vines continue to grow.... Can i stop the vines growing so that the friut will grow??? thanks
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15 Nov 08, steven (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
g'day , my rockmelon plants older leaves have gone yellow on the outside of the leaves, is this a disease or nutrition problems? somebody help
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Showing 211 - 217 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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