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

08 Oct 12, Anna (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I just started my Rockmelon today and I live in Sydney.
21 Feb 12, Rex (Australia - temperate climate)
Re Rock-melon pollination I accidentally planted some coriander near a Rockmelon as I have never grown either one before and the coriander flowers encouraged lots of bees , which in turn assisted in pollinating the Rockmelon, so in future that will be my plan.
14 Feb 12, (Australia - temperate climate)
From three vines I have just one healthy rock melon growing. The others seem to form buds, grow a little, and then turn yellow and wither. Is this lack of pollination or soil deficiency?
23 Feb 13, lita (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I pollinate the flowers myself and they seems to be lots of flowers . Some of them form buds but they only grow a little and they turn yellow and died too. Have anyone know the reasons?
14 Apr 12, sarah (Australia - temperate climate)
how old are the plants? mine took along time(over two months) to produce female flowers, also i found the bees do a better job of pollinating if the plants are spread out rather than too inter-grown
13 Feb 12, Nelson Shem (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Where can i purchase the seeds?
26 Nov 12, Rich (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Just buy a rockmelon, scoop the seeds out, dry hem and plant them. I've got about 100 seedlings growing out of my compost now. I'm gonna let them grow
24 Sep 12, cathie (Australia - temperate climate)
i got mine at diggers in victoria. they are on line and they will post you what you want
26 Jan 12, Jenny Dutton (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
We are growing rockmelons for the first time and ave quite a few on the vinewhich are not yet ripe (haven't browned off at the stem yet) but they are getting to a good size. One appeared to ripen first on the end then rotted. Any ideas on the problem?
29 Jan 12, Kate (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi! I have been growing rockmelons this year and I had 2 grow in Dec-Jan, and now at the end of Jan , I now have another 5-6 growing. Not sure why they didnt grow earlier on, but they are now growing, but I have had to manual pollinate as I havent had any bees this year flying around my flowers, so manually pollinating, but the problem for my plant is that I have mostly male flowers & hardly any female flowers and I have 5 plants. Very strange why I have sooo many male flowers. I was hoping to have a bumper crop this year of Rockies. Hope at the end of this year, it becomes a better crop for us! Do your rockies grow Round? I have round rockies, not oval as in like the store brought ones.
Showing 171 - 180 of 236 comments

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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