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 68°F and 90°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 16 - 24 inches apart
  • Harvest in 10-16 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Sweetcorn, Sunflowers
  • Avoid growing close to: Potatoes
  • Young melons
  • Leaves and flowers

Start in small pots then transplant when no danger of frosts. Plant into a raised mound to provide good drainage and warmth. Provide plenty of water.

Ready to use when the fruit falls from the vine.

In cold climate regions start the seeds in a heated greenhouse with plenty of light in order to have a long enough growing season.

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

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
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
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
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.
31 Oct 10, Ivan (Australia - temperate climate)
Sir I am from South Africa and thinking of planting watermelon in a shadehouse. Is there any spesific type you will recomment and do you take them off the ground like tomatoes with strings or leave them on the ground? Thanks Ivan van Zyl
Showing 1 - 10 of 236 comments

When rock melons are ripe you will see a small crack start to appear where the stalk joins the fruit. The stalk will come away easily from the fruit when you gently attempt to pick it.

- Ken

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