Melon Seeds - Cantaloupe - Honey Rock (Organic)
80 Days to maturity. Cucumis melo. Organic Honey Rock Cantaloupe Melon Seeds. A non-GMO, annual, organic, open-pollinated, heirloom, AAS winner, heat-tolerant Cantaloupe Melon. Suitable for growing in containers, garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. Resistant to Fusarium Wilt. Honey Rock (or Sugar Rock) melons are ideal for growing at home and doing well in cool climates. Melons grow 3-4 lbs large and are 6 by 5.5 inches when fully mature. Skin is a grey-green-brown shade is tough with coarse, open netting and ribbing. The flesh is a deep salmon color and is very sweet, firm, and juicy. The vines are strong, and each one produces 5-7 melons. ~1,100 seeds/oz.
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Growing Honey Rock Cantaloupe Organic Melon in the Vegetable Garden
Start by selecting a sunny location with well-drained, nutrient-rich soil. Plant Honey Rock Cantaloupe after the danger of frost has passed and soil temperatures reach at least 70 F. Direct sow seeds into the garden by planting them 0.5 inches deep. Space the seeds about 24 inches apart, in rows 4-6 feet apart, allowing ample room for vine growth and air circulation. Alternatively, start seeds indoors 2-4 weeks before the last frost date. When transplanting, wait until the plants have at least two sets of true leaves and warm outdoor temperatures.
If you start seeds indoors, harden off the seedlings before transplanting them outdoors. To do this, gradually expose them to outdoor conditions over 7-10 days. Begin by placing them in a sheltered, shady spot for a few hours each day, then slowly increase their exposure to direct sunlight and wind. This process helps the plants acclimate and reduces transplant shock.
Growing Honey Rock in containers is possible if the container is large enough (at least 5 gallons) to accommodate the vine's root system. Use well-draining soil and a trellis to support the sprawling vines. If you opt to grow vertically, use slings or netting to support the heavy fruit and prevent the vines from breaking. Make sure to water container-grown melons frequently, as pots can dry out quickly.
Melons are heavy feeders, so applying a balanced organic fertilizer (such as 10-10-10) when planting and continuing side-dressing with high-quality compost regularly throughout the growing season is important. Water the plants deeply and consistently to keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged.
Harvesting Organic Honey Rock Cantaloupe Melon
Honey Rock Cantaloupes take about 75-85 days to mature. The melons are ripe when they slip easily from the vine with gentle pressure, a stage known as "full slip." The fruit should develop a golden-tan hue and emit a sweet, fragrant aroma. Additionally, the netting or webbing on the rind becomes more pronounced as the melon ripens. If the fruit doesn't easily detach, wait another day and try again. Cantaloupes do not continue to ripen very much once harvested.
About Honey Rock Organic Cantaloupe Melon Garden Seeds
Honey Rock Cantaloupe is an heirloom variety that originated in the United States in the early 20th century. It gained recognition in 1933 when it won the All-America Selections (AAS) award.
Honey Rock is particularly well suited for gardens in the American Northeast, including Southeastern Canada and Michigan.
1932 Burpee's Seed Catalog says about Honey Rock Melon: "Smooth, round fruits of medium size, with a heavy, coarse netting over a slate-colored ground. Tasty, honey-sweet salmon flesh. Solid, thick meat of firm texture but free from fiber. A distinct variety.”
Honey Rock was released in 1930 by the Joseph Harris Seed Co. It was called a "rock" melon because of its exterior appearance. Unlike some modern hybrids, Honey Rock has a rich, traditional cantaloupe taste and is prized for its orange, juicy flesh.
Tips From Our Gardeners
"Honey Rock Cantaloupe can be used to make a chilled melon soup, blending ripe cantaloupe with yogurt, mint, and a splash of lime juice for a light and refreshing summer dish."
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- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer |
Other Resources
Honey Rock Organic Cantaloupe Melon Seeds Per Package:
- 3 g - Wholesale - Approximately 115 Seeds
- 1 oz - Wholesale - Approximately 1,100 Seeds
- 4 oz - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 4,400 Seeds
- 1 lb - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 17,600 Seeds
- 5 lb - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 88,000 Seeds
Non-GMO Honey Rock Cantaloupe Melon seeds are available for Fast Free Shipping on qualifying orders.
Basic Info
| Latin Name: | Cucumis melo |
| Melon Type: | Cantaloupe - Cantaloupe is a muskmelon with a scaly or 'netted' outer rind, and sweet flesh that is most commonly orange, but can also be yellow or green. The flavor can only be described as 'cantaloupe', while the odor is slightly musky. |
| Honey Rock Cantaloupe Melon Color: | Brown husk, orange flesh. |
| Honey Rock Cantaloupe Melon Flavor: | Sweet, rich, and aromatic. It’s juicy with a classic cantaloupe flavor but is often described as more intense and satisfying than other varieties. |
Growing Info
| Hardiness Zone: | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 Annual Crop: Not Intended to Overwinter |
| Days to Maturity: | 80 |
| Days to Germination: | 5-10 |
| Seeding Depth: | 0.5-1 inch |
| Plant Spacing: | 24 inches in row or 2-3 plants per hill. |
| Row Spacing: | 6 Feet |
| Plant Height: | 12-15 inches |
| Growth Habit: | Sprawled, Trailing Vine |
| Soil Preference: | Melons prefer warm, well-draining but moist, nutrient-rich, loamy to sandy loam soil with a pH of 6.5 to 7.5. |
| Temperature Preference: | Warmer (70-90 F). |
| Light Preference: | Full Sun |
Other
| Direct Sow: | Yes, direct sow 1-2 weeks after your last frost date. |
| Start Indoors: | Yes. Melons may be started indoors 2-4 weeks before your last spring frost date. Wait to transplant them outdoors until at least 1 week after your last frost date as melons grow best with warm soil. Avoid leaving them in seed starting containers for long as melons are sensitive to transplanting. Harden off to reduce the effects of transplant shock. |
| Melon Pollination: | Melons require insects, such as bees, for successful pollination. As monoecious plants they produce separate male and female flowers on the same plant. This means that not every flower will develop into fruit. We recommend growing an assortment of flowers near or throughout your garden to attract pollinators. |
| Plant Spread: | 36-48 inches |
| Plant Width: | 36-48 inches |
| Growth Speed: | Mid - Ready for harvest around 80-95 days. |
| Deer Resistant: | No |
| Germination Temperature: | 70-95 F |
| Pests and Diseases: | Resistant to Fusarium Wilt. Generally, melons are commonly susceptible to pest damage by aphids, cucumber beetles, squash bugs, cutworms, white flies, and melon worms. Look for signs of chewing, curling leaves, eggs on the undersides of leaves, and leaf discoloration. Melons are also susceptible to Powdery Mildew, Downy Mildew, and Fusarium Wilt, Anthracnose, and Bacterial Wilt. Maintain a regular watering schedule that avoids overly saturated soil. The roots need adequate time to air out between watering. This will also help prevent common fungal and bacterial diseases from developing. Good air circulation and applying water to the ground rather than the leaves will help maintain healthy bean plant growth. |
| Garden Size: | Greenhouse, Garden Plot, Raised Bed, Container |
| Melon Use: | Fresh eating, snacking, smoothies, drinks, fruit salads, etc. |
| Climate Tolerance: | Heat |