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

Your comments and tips

22 Feb 20, Marie (Australia - temperate climate)
My plants have a lot of flowers but not setting fruit
11 Apr 22, Mel (Australia - temperate climate)
We had a rockmelon vine come up by itself, in January I believe. Two melons on the vine and the skin is still pretty green. Will they still ripen this late in the season?
27 Mar 11, Peter Harris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I have been given some rockmelon plants by a friend. Have just replanted them in some good potting mix with a slow release fertiliser. They are looking a bit sad after a few days. Will thet pick up ? Peter
03 Oct 11, Shelly (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I was told that if I plant rockmelons and watermelons in the same paddock that the watermelons will be distaughted and small due to cross pollination from the bees, is this so? If so, what is the desired distance to plant from each other?
13 Nov 11, Tracey in Melbourne (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Shelly, They won't cross. Both are in the family Cucurbitaceae but they are each in a different genus - rockmelons are genus Cucumis and watermelons are genus Citrullus. For future reference, with plants that *can* cross-pollinate (eg. different varieties within the same species), you would not see any effect in the fruit you pick - you would have to collect the seeds and grow them out and pick the fruit they produced. So unless you are saving seeds for future use, cross-pollination isn't an issue. Hope this helps.
11 Nov 11, kayla (Australia - tropical climate)
we have just started a vegie patch and just wondering how big rock melon vines get?
02 Dec 11, Ian (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
As a new gardener myself ,hope my advice helps. My first two vines last season (Hale's Best) grew to about 3.5m in length 1.5 wide.Instead of using liquid feed every 4-6 weeks to assist growth I tried diluting the feed (100ml to 2l water) and applied it from one of those 2 litre reusable click on spray containers twice a day. Expecting 10 + per vine if I get it right again. Hope this helps.
15 Nov 11, jojo (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I 'm in west of Melbourne This is my first time to grow rockmelon. Do they grow on the ground or I need to make some stakes to hold them up? cheryl said she has a rockmelon vine. What is this? do I need one to grow my rocky? what is the best PH soil to suit growing rockmelon?
06 Dec 11, Ian (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Rockmelon must be left to grow on the ground as they rapidly gain weight and would quickly detach themselves if they were suspended. Sheep manure well dug 2-3 weeks before planting . You're friends vine is definately horizontal. Hope it helps.
06 Dec 11, Liz (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
How do I know when a rock melon is ready to harvest
Showing 31 - 40 of 236 comments

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