Rockmelon 'Ananas'
Famously mentioned in Vilmorin's "The Vegetable Garden" in 1885, Ananas Melons are named for their pineapple fragrance and actually date back to 1824. Described by Vilmorin Seeds today as being suitable for "eating as an appetizer with a glass of wine, or as a dessert", there is no denying the temptation of its highly fragrant flesh.
Melons (both watermelons and rockmelons) need to be sown in warm soil. Like pumpkins, they are best sown on mounds, 1m apart. Sow 3 or 4 seeds where you want one plant to grow, and remove the weaker plants once seed germinates. A sandy, well drained soil of pH 6 is ideal. While the vines are growing, they need plenty of water and nutrients, so good soil preparation is essential; however, once the fruit has set, too much water can lead to watery tasteless fruit. For large, lush melons, allow a maximum of 3 fruits per vine before pinching out the ends of the vines and allowing these fruit to develop.