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(Best months for planting Rockmelon in Australia - cool/mountain regions)

• Harvest in 75-115 days
• 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.
• Space plants: 40-60cm

Start in small pots then transplant when no danger of frosts. Plant into a raised mound to provide good drainage and warmth. Frost tender, needs protection in cold climates. Provide plenty of water.

Ready to use when the fruit falls from the vine

In the United Kingdom start the seeds in a heated greenhouse with plenty of light.

Rockmelons may need hand pollination with a soft brush.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Rockmelon

Cut in half and scoop out and discard the seeds.
Sprinkle with some ground ginger or serve plain.

Your comments and tips

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

28 Feb 09 Kathleen Gibbin (Australia - tropical climate)

What type of soil is best for rockmelons

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

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.

17 Nov 09 LIV (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

do rockmelons come from flower buds??

18 Nov 09 adam synnott (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

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.

22 Nov 09 Betty Menzies (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

My rock melons like to attach themselves to a vertical wire-netting fence. Should I encourage them to grow upwards as a vine, then support the fruit somehow, or are they better to remain growing along the ground?

10 Jan 10 Helen O'Toole (Australia - temperate climate)

We planted afew seeds and now we have have about 12 rockmelons that will be ready at the same time is there any way I can preserve them?

21 Jan 10 Helen (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

I have RMs growing both climbing as well as crawling on the ground. They are all growing very well sized. How do I know when to harvest? I dont want to lose any of them. I live in Perth

26 Jan 10 lesley (Australia - tropical climate)

i have planted tomato seedlings and when i transplanted them, they died a few days later. what did i do wrong? I live in Darwin?