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            
        P P            

(Best months for growing Rockmelon in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • 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

05 Nov 21, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Wood frame with some kind of mesh or house reo. Have as trellis or flat base.
27 Feb 21, Margaret Bower (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I'm in Perth metropolitan. End January I planted seeds from a melon I had eaten, in a large pot of mixed potting mix. Seeds now germinated into healthy seedlings about 12cm high, some showing tendrils. I'd like to plant the seedlings out in the garden. How must I prepare for planting seedlings in garden, please? How deep to plant, distance between seedlings, what soil preparation needed. What fertilisers needed. How much watering? The garden space I have gets sun about half the day. Perth is quite hot so March will continue at temps. about 27-31deg. C. I look forward to your informed advice. Sincerely Margaret
01 Mar 21, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Generally if you are planting seeds from seasonal crops that you are eating, like melons you are planting too late.You can use this website to work out when to plants crops for your climate zone. You indicate you are sub tropical when you are more likely temperate zone. By the planting calendar here you should have planted seeds in Sept/Oct. You should have prepared your soil over the previous 4-6 weeks, digging it over and adding compost, manures and some fertiliser. Plant every 3/4m and have rows 1.5m apart. Sow normal depth. Water every day, even twice a day when hot. Put some mulch/grass clipping around the plant, about 60-80cm diameter. Plants need a lot of sun, the more the better. Half a days sun may not be enough. Any general fertiliser is good for most crops. There is a lot of information on the internet about gardening.
12 Jan 21, Anthony (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
how to hand pollination rock melon flowers and which flower has to be treated to start fruit to grow
12 Jan 21, Liz (Australia - arid climate)
Hand pollination for melons with the male flower starts with carefully removing a male flower from the plant. Strip away the petals so that the stamen is left. Carefully insert the stamen into an open female flower and gently tap the stamen on the stigma (the sticky knob). Try to evenly coat the stigma with pollen. (From www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/melons/hand-pollinating-melons.htm) Female flowers have a tiny melon shaped bump behind the flower.
20 Dec 20, Kylie Mulders (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I threw a rotten rock melon outside. And now I've noticed plants coming up. I've got radishes growing where they are, is that ok. I live in the Adelaide hills.
21 Dec 20, (Australia - temperate climate)
Should be ok.
18 Dec 20, Neil Ashpole (Australia - temperate climate)
Hand Pollination, how is this done? (Gardenate - check some of the comments for pumpkin or zucchini. there are ideas for hand pollination)
04 May 20, Ian Fuller (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, My French friend says he has not had rockmelons as tasty as he had back in France. He is in the food industry. Do they generally grow a different variety there and if so, is that variety available to grow (or perhaps buy) in Australia? We live in Sydney. He is such a nice guy that I would love to surprise him with a solution - perhaps some seeds of that variety. Thank you, Regards, Ian
05 May 20, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Go to a seed selling website Eden, Boondie, Seed Collection etc and ask him which if any look like the ones he had in France.
Showing 11 - 20 of 236 comments

Thanks David, will follow that advice and give them a go in spring.

- Michael

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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