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

29 May 16, Garvin Johny (USA - Zone 13b climate)
My Rock melon leaves are turning yellow near the edges and the buds at the end of the tendrils are also the same. Some of the young leaves I suspect are being eaten by something. I would love a solution.
01 Jun 16, elaine (USA - Zone 10a climate)
not sure what is causing the yellowing - could be a number of things - too much water, or not enough nitrogen in the soil. You could try side dressing with composted manure. To stop the bugs spray with neem. 1 teaspoon neem oil in 1 quart of water with a dash of soap (washing up liquid works fine) and spray early evening. Also sprinkle diatomaceous earth over and around the plants. use the neem and DE on alternate days till you notice the leaves are not being eaten. happy harvesting!
05 Apr 16, Michael (Australia - temperate climate)
when they stop growing in size and the leaves start to wilt
03 Apr 16, Alice (Australia - temperate climate)
When do you harvest the melon from the vine. i have 3, 1 i am sure is ready.
25 Feb 16, Lindsay (Australia - temperate climate)
I have 5 rockmelon plants growing nicely. They are covered in flowers, BUT only Male flowers. I can't see any Female flowers and hence I've had only 1 small melon. What can I do to encourage some female flowers and melons? Thanks
17 Mar 16, William (Australia - temperate climate)
Lindsay, if you are still having trouble with getting female flowers, try adding blood & bone liberally and either composted sheep or cow manure. Also, when you see a runner with lots of male flowers, chop off the end. This should promote some runners from the same one, probably with females. I leave 2 - 3 males on the stem then dock all runners... remember, one male flower can polinate all the open female flowers!
28 Feb 16, Linda (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Lindsay, I don't know what fertilizer your using, but, I've been told that if you use chicken manure to grow watermelons, they will grow heaps of male flowers at the expense of female flowers, this may apply to other types of melons as well, I need to research this but thought it was something to think about when prepping your soil next season, hope this helps, Cheers, Linda
21 Feb 16, joy (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi, i grew a uncertain melon plant. it looks like a rock melon plant since some tiny fruit have strips around the body. Does any one know how long could i get harvest. And also is this normal to have two baby melons getting yellowish while others look green.
15 Feb 16, Ruby (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, I've planted rockmelon for first time. Plant was healthy and produced lots of flowers and fruit, but fruit is either splitting and being eaten by bugs (not sure which is happening first whether bugs are causing the splits or whether they're just taking advantage) before we get a chance to get to it. Plant itself looking very forlorn now. Doesn't look like powdery mildew but leaves are all dying back. What's eating my fruit?
12 Feb 16, Todd (Australia - tropical climate)
Hi l have rockmelons growing in a raised bed l had a couple of good ones but now l have a couple growing But it looks like something is eating it any idea what it is?
Showing 91 - 100 of 236 comments

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