If you ’re looking to add something Modern and exciting to your edible garden , cucamelons deserve your consideration . These grape vine - sized fruit offer a reinvigorated fit of nip and texture that will have you hooked after just one mouthful . But where can you corrupt cucamelon plants to start turn this unique craw at home ?
With their delicate cucumber - melon flavor , crisp grain , and super commodious bite - sized anatomy , it ’s no wonderment cucamelon popularity is soaring . Luckily , several options exist for procuring plant , allowing both veteran soldier and novice gardeners to see growing cucamelons .
What are Cucamelons?
Cucamelon goes by several interesting name , including Mexican rancid gherkin Mexican miniature watermelon vine and mouse melon . But they all refer to the same delicious yield produced by cucamelon vine .
Cucamelons belong to the gourd and cucumber family Cucurbitaceae . Their scientific name is Melothria scabra .
These petite oblong fruits measuring rod about 1 - 2 column inch long . Their thin crunchy skin encases a juicy flesh dot with tiny edible seeds . The flavor is a mouthwatering compounding of cucumber and watermelon .
Where to Buy Cucamelon Plants
Cucamelon seeds and plants are sold by a variety of retail merchant . Here are some of the best places to purchase plants :
Local nurseries and garden nerve center – Many carry a extract of veggie starts in spring , including cucamelons
Online cum company – Reputable company like Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds and Burpee sell cucamelon seed you may start indoors .
ring armour gild nurseries – society like Territorial Seed Company sell starter plants delivered to your room access .
Big box stores – Large chains like Home Depot sometimes stock vegetable transplants , occasionally including cucamelons .
Farmers markets & local growers – Check farmers markets for homegrown cucamelon transplant in spring .
Seed swaps & exchanges – touch base with fellow gardener to swap seeded player and cuttings for unique and heirloom smorgasbord .
What to Look for When Buying Plants
Whether buying topically or ordinate plants by mail service , prefer vigorous , healthy specimen by look for :
Stocky stems – obviate spindly , washy plant which intimate poor growth .
Abundant foliation – foliage should be rich and emerald green .
No flowers – Fruiting will stress young plants , so buy those without flower or fruit .
proficient root organization – If you may see roots , look for plentiful white roots .
No pest equipment casualty – scrutinize for chewed folio , musca volitans , or webbing indicating pests .
Organically develop – Opt for constitutional plant when potential to avoid pesticide exposure .
Reputable vender – Read company reviews and control with local extension role for recommendations .
Best Time to Buy Plants
Cucamelon is a heat - roll in the hay summer crop . front for plants to purchase from mid leaping through former summertime .
Spring – Buy transplants 6 - 8 weeks before your last expected spring frost to found outdoors after danger of frost has passed .
Early Summer – Purchase plants to substitute any that do n’t survive or to fill gap for uninterrupted harvest into free fall .
Fall – In mild climates , flora cucamelons in early downslope for an overwinter bounce harvest time .
Where to Find Cucamelon Seeds
expect to start even earlier ? Cucamelon seeds can be source online through :
Online retail merchant – mellow quality seed uncommitted from stores like True Leaf Market and MIgardener .
semen company web site – Burpee , Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds , and David ’s Garden Seeds sell lineal to consumers .
Amazon – commodious cucamelon seed packets from multiple sellers with quick shipping .
Etsy – Find interesting heirloom varieties from independent sellers .
eBay – tumid selection of cucamelon seeds auctioned or sold at fix price .
When purchasing cucamelon seeds , choose fresh seminal fluid from the current year ’s harvest when possible . Avoid former germ that likely wo n’t germinate well . Reputable sellers will provide the seed bundle ’s sell - by date .
How to Start Cucamelon Seeds
Cucamelon seeds can be started indoors or direct sowed outside . Here are some tips for success :
Indoors :
works seed 1⁄4 in deep in ejaculate starting intermixture 8 - 10 weeks before your last spring frost date .
Keep grime moist and affectionate , around 70 - 80 ° F .
Move to a sunny window or under grow lights after sprouting .
Harden off plants before transfer them outside .
Outdoors :
Direct sow after risk of Robert Lee Frost when soil warm to at least 65 ° F .
Sow seed 1⁄4 inch deep in loose , well - drain dirt with trellis support .
Keep soil evenly moist for fast sprouting , which takes 5 - 10 day .
Thin seedling to 12 - 24 inch asunder .
How Many Plants to Buy
Cucamelon vine produce heavily . Plant counting count on :
maturation habit – Smaller bush case require 2 - 3 plant , while vigorous climbing vine need just 1 - 2 plants .
Support method – More plants needed for ground cover versus vertical growing .
desire fruit – flora more cucamelons if you design to harvest heavily .
Garden space – Scale quantity to available elbow room for spreading vines or trellis .
As a general rule of thumb , plan for :
Bush types : Plant 2 - 3 plant per person you desire to bung .
Vining types : Plant 1 - 2 plants per person with vertical support .
Companion Plants for Cucamelons
develop compatible fellow traveller plants nearby can benefit cucamelon vines . study pairing cucamelons with :
radish – Deter cucumber beetles that attack cucamelon vine .
Marigolds – Repel aphid , crush hemipterous insect , and mallet .
Nasturtiums – Trap problematic aphid and improve savour .
Beans & pea – Provide trellis for climbing vine . Fix N .
edible corn – Offer partial shade . Cucamelons thrive with 80 % sunlight exposure .
Getting the Best Price on Plants
While cucamelons may seem expensive , their gamy takings compensate for the initial investment . manner to find the best deals let in :
Visit local nurseries and garden centers for lower prices on plants .
Shop big corner store for volume price reduction compared to smaller plant retailer .
Buy seeds and start your own transplants for a fraction of plant life prices .
require fellow gardeners for cuttings to diffuse new plants for free .
Time purchases for late summertime or early gloaming when vendors ignore unsold flora .
Take vantage of other order discounts from mail order nurseries .
Ensuring You Get What You Pay For
To guarantee you get viable cucamelon varieties suited for your spring up conditions :
Verify the botanic name is Melothria scabra . Other melons can be mislabeled as cucamelons .
Select labeled assortment determine cucamelon , Mexican sour gherkin , or mouse melon vine .
For source , prefer packets listing expected industrial plant sizing , harvest period , and mature fruit dimensions .
try motley spawn for disease resistance to maximize your planting investment .
Research marketer through reviews and University annexe recommendation .
Inspect plant closely upon arriver and give back any that are weak or substandard .
Ready to Enjoy Growing Cucamelons?
Part of the fun of gardening is find raw - to - you variety . If you fuck reinvigorated cucumber flavour and small , poppable raciness , cucamelon is certain to delight . With so many sources usable to buy seeds and transplantation , you could easily find top - quality cucamelon plants for your garden . Soon , you ’ll be harvest home armloads of these crisp , sweet fruits straight from your own vine .
2 Feet Mature Width
Days to Maturity : 75 from transplant
You ve simply got to try this young little cucamelon in the garden , planter , or even hanging basket . The Aztecs and other native groups used it for C of yr . It come up from Mexico and Central America . Finally , it arrive at our table . It looks like a small Citrullus vulgaris and taste like a cucumber mixed with lemon tree .
The Spanish Sandiita , which means “ small watermelon vine , ” is another name for the Mexican Sour Gherkin . It ’s not really a cucumber vine or melon vine , though . This aboriginal treasure is phone Melothria scabra in botanical terms . It is easy to grow than a cucumber and produces a lot of fruit . The 1 - inch - diam yield are simply delicious , either tonic or pickle . You ca nt go wrong adding this to the vegetable garden or patio .
These footling fruit are ellipse and pale greenish with sullen green stripes . They have a thin cutis and a very small seeded player cavity . Some of the seed do n’t form until the end of the season . Ah , the pleasure of a cucumber without the seeds . But the bite of Mexican Sour Gherkin is definitely more lemony than that of a cuke . That pee-pee it a enceinte campaigner for sour pickles , but it also can be wrench into honeyed gherkins . habituate it as you would a Cucumis sativus , right on down to salsas , sandwich , and spreads .
Prepare to be overwhelmed by the premium of this plant life . It ’s only about 4 feet farsighted and 6 column inch wide , but it carry a lot all season . The small fruits rise between the big , attractive 3 - lob leave of absence . Mexican Sour Gherkin is ready to grow if it receive some sun and a respectable starting signal . It can handle drought best than many other vegetables and does n’t have any pests .
raise this vining plant in a hanging basket or train it up a pea plant fencing or small trellis . It does not like to spread along the terra firma ; snails and biff do too much damage . But given a vertical setting , there s no stopping it .
Sow these seed indoors about 4 to 6 weeks before the last anticipated spring Robert Frost in your area . It can take up to a month for the seeds to bourgeon , but most of the time it only take one to two weeks . The enigma is a bit of heat : the seed like temperature of 75 degrees Fahrenheit . To get the most heat , put out the heat mat or move the Bio Dome or seed tray to a gamey place in a lovesome room . Then move the seedling to a cooler spot ( 65 to 70 degrees is fine ) and move them when they have at least two set of true leaves .
Once transplant alfresco , Mexican Sour Gherkin really takes off . You will make love the ornamental foliation , small atomic number 79 blooms , and mass of magic fruit on this veggie . Have fun sharing it with friends .
Seed Starting & Indoor Growing
Subtotal :
How to grow Cucamelon in a small space, in shade – Harvest and taste test!! Mini Mexican cucumbers
FAQ
Where are cucamelons found ?
What do cucamelons taste like ?
What are the side effects of cucamelon ?
Do cucamelons come back every yr ?
