Rockmelons – How To and Journal

Rockmelon aka canteloupe.

Rockmelon Growing Guide

When

Soil (when, temp, soil, location)

• Rich (prepared with organic fertiliser) & moisture retentive
• full sun
• sow 12mm (1/2 inch) deep; 2-3 seeds in groups
• later thin to strongest 2 seedlings
• directly into ground or use punnets
• space 50cm/20inch apart

 

Harvest/Germination

Harvest when fruit slips from stem (12-14 weeks from sowing)

Germinate: 6-10 days

 

 

Care/Watering

• Water regularly, keep moist.
• Pinch out growing tip when plant has made 3 leaves. Do same for side shoots as they appear.
• Encourage growth of side shoots: pinch out tips at 5-6 leaf stage

 

Companions

beans, morning glory, nasturtium, radish, sunflower, sweetcorn

 

Enemies

potato

 

Other Notes

• not frost tolerant
• morning glory thought to assist in melon seed germination

 

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Progress of our Rockmelons

Trial #3

5/10/2019

 

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Trial #1 – failed!

Trying to grow some rockmelons – aka canteloupes. Growing them from seeds off a rockmelon from the supermarket. According to Yates chart, we should plant in mid-spring at earliest.  Now is only early spring. Oh well!

Progress photos (more to be added when available). Note: I also watered them with some Epsom Salt solution on planting.

Trial #2 – Rockmelon Planter’s Jumbo – Failed!

Starting new trial with seeds (from AustralianPlantsOnline). Easy to grow variety. Large fruits with deep orange flesh. Juicy & flavoursome.

Sowed directly: 4/12/17

 

 

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References:

• Rockmelon Growing Guide; Grow Veg