Rockmelon 'Petit Gris De Rennes'
From Brittany in France and referred to as the "Little Grey from Rennes", this heirloom cantaloupe may be small, but the flesh is flavoursome and fragrant. Traditionally grown in soils enriched with manure from the cavalry presidio, this melon enjoys an organically enriched soil and regular water. The barely visible ribbing and pale green stripes is indicative of this melon, while the flavoursome flesh melts in the mouth.Harvest as soon as teh melon is ripe as they are prone to cracking if left too long on the vine.
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.