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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06 Oct 15, Bob (Australia - temperate climate)
Hello, They are probably paddy melons
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17 Sep 15, Col Henssler (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
will rockmelon grow in Busselton W.A. Australia
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11 May 15, tony (Australia - temperate climate)
can you grow rockmelons in the cooler months
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01 Jul 15, Max nicholas (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Not unless you have a green house, rockmelons grow best in hot climates. The frost wouls also kill them even if they were fully grown.
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08 Apr 15, karl (Australia - temperate climate)
How long does it take for the rockmelon to ripen.once the vine has died off.thankyou....karl.
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23 Mar 15, (Australia - arid climate)
"Pick on the Slip" -They will slip off the bush, so where the vine connects to the fruit it will break. you can sometimes see the stem connections starting to shrink. but if you lift up the fruit and it falls off its ready.
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21 Mar 15, Russell (Australia - temperate climate)
How to know melons are ready to eat
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21 Mar 15, Athalie (Australia - arid climate)
Our rockmelons came up by themselves and we will be picking soon. How long will a rockmelon last when picked?
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21 Feb 15, Megan (Australia - temperate climate)
Could it be powdery mildew? If so spray with 50/50 milk and water once a week
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14 Feb 15, Michael Chenery (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
My rock melon is growing wild looks very healthy but still no flowers since before Christmas How long will it take to flower Regards Mick
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Showing 111 - 120 of 236 comments
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There are many different kinds of melons in the world but the ones we call rock melons in Qld use to grow green and turn yellow when ripening. The new varieties the commercial growers grow are green and they stay green. They are grown to suit the supermarkets, size, transportability and shelf life. Very hard when to know when to pick them. A grower told me 85 days after planting he picks, that is in the spring. If you look on the web for melons you will find a site with 25 different kinds.

- Anon

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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. GardenGrow 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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