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

(Best months for growing Rockmelon in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions)

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

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04 Feb 16, Melanie (Australia - temperate climate)
I've now had two seasons of rockmelons but I managed to pick them perfectly ripe each time! Its very exciting growing my very own rockmelon! In our garden there was a lot of fretting about when to harvest...... I did a lot of internet searching and they all said when the melon is no longer green between the veins, but that's not quite true as I have noticed even the ripe ones in the shops are still green between the veins. I agree with John when they start to smell sweet, feel heavy, the stem attaching them to the plant dries out and the green between the veins fades from the bright green to starting to be a dried out dusty looking green. Hope that helps!
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30 Jan 16, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
How do you know when a rockmellon is ripe.
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01 Feb 16, John (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
The best indicator in my experience is by smell. Ripe rockmelons have a sweet aromatic aroma up close and almost none if they are still unripe.
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10 Feb 16, Willem (Australia - temperate climate)
Apply some pressure on the blossom side. If "soft" , give way a bit, the rockmelon is ripe.
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11 Jan 16, Chris Coughran (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Why are my rockmelons dying upon ripening?
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21 Dec 15, Tracey (Australia - arid climate)
I live in hot Queensland my yard is in sun most of the day how will growing a Rockmelon vine handle the sun
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17 Dec 15, Doug ridge (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Dad has a very healthy looking rockmelon in a raised bed...gave the vine two buckets yesterday of diluted power feed...the flowers now look brighter an there are a lot of them...but know sight of any fruit forming yet???also noticed today a few leaves with a greyish looking mould on some of the leaves...hasn't been a lot of sunlight the last couple of days! Dad has the vine held by a wire fence ...stopping his dog from jumping in there????
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10 Dec 15, San (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi All, I am looking for Indian long melon (Lauki) and bitter gourd seeds. Does anyone have them? I am happy to share the seeds I have with me. Thank you, San
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08 Oct 15, Azed (Australia - temperate climate)
will different rockmelon varieties cross pollinate if planted close to each other
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02 Oct 15, Maddy (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi, I have a big pile of dirt out the back of my house and lately a small melon type fruit has grown in it. Was wondering if there is a way to tell you what it is?
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Showing 101 - 110 of 236 comments
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I only thing I would suggest is not enough water. As melons are very high in water they need a good constant supply to fill out. Mulching the roots will help conserve water. All the best for next season.

- John

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