Home»Garden»Grow templet
Last Updated on August 9 , 2023
In addition to their fun appearance and yummy savour , cucamelons are also quite loose to grow . The vining plants arelow - sustainment , container - friendly , and both drought and cuss - resistant , but will necessitate a goodcucumber trellisor otherDIY trellisfor financial backing . Once established in your garden , you’re able to overwinter the repeated root tubers to easy grow cucamelons again next year . I mean … what ’s not to love ?
But first , allow ’s get best acquainted with our tasty little protagonist !
What are cucamelons?
Cucamelons are a type of cucumber aboriginal to Mexico and areas of Central America , more formally known as Mexican Sour Gherkins . Thegrape - size speckled cucumbersgrow on sprawl but delicate , thin vines . They ’re also sometimes anticipate “ shiner melons ” .
Despite their silly common names and striking resemblance to mini watermelon , cucamelons are not melon at all ! Though , they are part of the sameCucurbit plant familywhich includes all cucumbers , melons , squeeze , gourds , and pumpkins . And no , cucamelons arenot GMOor genetically modified ! ( It ’s crazy - silly how many folks jump to that conclusion when they first see this strange yield … )
What do cucamelons taste like?
Cucamelons try out very much like a even cucumber , but with an additional - refreshing citrus - corresponding serrated wrack . Some folks say it ’s like acucumber with a hint of lime . The skin is crisp and crunchy , so these chomp - size cucumbers often goPOPin your sassing . The interior is full of modest , cushy seed . If cucamelons are allow on the vine too long they can become more knotty or bitter , so it ’s important to pluck them in their prime ! Cucamelons are excellent enjoyed fresh , and absolutely deliciouspickled .
Would you like to save this?
We ’ll netmail this mail to you , so you may come back to it later !
I concord to obtain email updates .
Disclosure : Homestead and Chill is reviewer - supported . When you buy through link on our internet site , we may realise an affiliate commission .
HOW TO GROW CUCAMELONS
Starting cucamelons from seed
The best way to grow cucamelons is from seed . Perhaps you ’ll get lucky and find a cucamelon seedling at your local greenhouse … but I ’ve never look them ! When you ’re seeded player shopping , think to search by their stately botanical name – Mexican Sour Gherkins . design to start seeds indoors , since they can be finicky to germinate and are also Robert Frost - sensible .
peculiar where to buy cucamelon seeds?Buy cucamelon seed here !
To grow cucamelons from seed , abide by the usualseed - pop best praxis : Sow seed about ¼ ” deep in small containers of aseptic seed starting mix , and light cover them with soil . keep the soil damp ( but not quaggy ) at all multiplication during germination . Ahumidity domeor other cover will avail prevent the top of the soil ( and seed ! ) from dry out out . Seeds will most readily sprout around75 to 80 ° F , and willstruggle to sprout in cool conditions . Use aseedling rut matto provide a consistent ideal temperature . After stock , cucamelon seedlings will appreciate ample bright light from agrow light . New to raise from seed?Learn more here:“Seed get down 101 , How to Sow Seeds Indoors ” .
When to start cucamelon seeds inside
Cucamelon source are notoriously slow to germinate , and can take several calendar week . Their seedling may seem dull at first too . So , be patient ! They ’ll come around , especially once they ’re transplanted outdoors and the weather warm up up . Because of their leisurely nature as seedlings , contrive tostart cucamelon seeds plenty too soon – around the same time you would start out peppers indoors in your zone ( rather than with the other cuke ) . Do n’t worry if you get a slightly by and by start though ! Better latterly than never … and you do n’t want to miss out on growing these cuties .
When to plant cucamelons outside?
graft cucamelon seedlings outside inspring , after the risk of frosthas legislate . If you are n’t trusted about freeze dates in your area , contain with your local countygarden extension center – or reference the planting calendar below ! We made calendars for every hardiness zone . Before planting them out of doors , be sure toharden offindoor - lift seedlings to prevent transplant jounce or damage . After planting , be prepared to protect young cucamelon seedlings from late leaping frost as needed ( for example with a cloche , orhoops and Robert Lee Frost cover version ) . Learn more transplant best practiceshere .
Get your Homestead and Chill planting calendar here ( available for all zones )
Ideal Conditions for Growing Cucamelons
Sun, soil, and water
Considering their native origin , it should number as no surprisal that cucamelons grow best withplenty of sun , warmth , and are even drouth - liberal once establish . So , choose a nice cheery location in your garden to develop cucamelons . They will also stick out partial tincture ( and may even appreciate some afternoon nicety in very live climates ) but will gestate less yield in cryptical spectre . Also keep in mind that these straggle , climbing vine will want the support of a trellis or other structure ! See more about trellises and training below .
Cucamelons will grow happily in jolly rich butwell - draining soil . Amend the stain with agedcompostand / or modest amount ofwell - balanced modest fertilizerbefore planting . However , cucamelons are not clayey feeders . Throughout the growing season , maintain the soil lightly moist but never sloughy . Apply an column inch or two ofmulcharound the radix of the vine once they ’re a distich feet tall and well - established .
How far to space cucamelons? Do I need more than one plant?
Because cucamelons grow on sparse and soft vine , you’re able to easily get away with plant a twain seedlings penny-pinching to one another . They ’ll simply grow into one mass of vines . We usually develop a few plant up a shared treillage , sometimes just a few inch apart and other clock time a couple feet . Similarly , you could plant two or three cucamelon seedlings in a vulgar container . Yet you do notneedto grow several plants . One or two will produce plenty of bite - size fruits ! you could also turn cucamelons alongside other plants on the same bombastic treillage , such as with classic cucumber , beans , or other mounting yearbook .
Pollination and Seed-Saving: Do I need more than one cucamelon plant?
Cucamelons areself - fertile . They have both male and distaff flowers , and do not take a partner plant for cross - pollination . Common garden pollinators or lead will channelise pollen between the flowers . Cucamelons are alsoopen - pollinated , which intend you’re able to save seeds from the yield that develop in your garden . Because they ’re unlike species , cucamelons will not hybridize - pollinate with other types of cucumbers , so the seed you save will produce ‘ true to sow ’ . However , call back that you have the choice of overwinter established root tubers rather than start over from ejaculate again ! You ’ll feel information about how to overwinter cucamelon tubers at the end of this clause .
Can cucamelons be grown in pots?
Absolutely ! In fact , the first clock time we grew cucamelons was in a15 - gal cloth grow bagand they did great ! Whatever case of pot or container you use , be sure it hasdrainageholes . Fill the container with potting filth , which is specifically designed for use in containers and will readily debilitate excess wet . This is important since cucamelons are fairly drought - tolerant , and do n’t like to be in soggy soil or standing water . Feel free to add a piddling compost or slow - release fertiliser too , as mentioned in the stain subdivision above .
Supporting Cucamelons
Cucamelon vine can mature over 10 feet in duration ! Technically , you could admit them to straggle out and trail over the ground , but they ’ll take up a significant amount of space in your garden that means . or else , it ’s dependable to civilise cucamelonsup a treillage or other livelihood anatomical structure , like an arch , arbour , marvelous John Cage , or even up a single string or wire – like hops . you’re able to also well add a treillage or telegram cage to a pot or container to grow cucamelons on . Once you get them headed in the proper direction , the vine will readily climb and stick to whatever structure you provide . Growing cucamelons vertically willsave space , keep the works more manageable , and also make it prosperous to see and harvest fruit !
postulate trellis ideas?Come learn how to build several dissimilar stout , inexpensive , andeasy DIY trellis designs here . We have tutorials on how to make super simple mobile trellises or heavy - tariff ones with Sir Henry Joseph Wood frames . Or , check out the awesome survival oftrellisesandarches or arborsavailable from Gardener ’s Supply , my preferent B - corp !
Cucamelon Pests
Cucamelons are low - alimony andpest - insubordinate . They appeal very few pest insects or disease compared to other type of cucumber or vining plant . purportedly , they may be prone to powdery mold infection – but we ’ve never had that issue , and we see quite a piece of atomic number 61 in our garden on other plant ! If you do experience powdery mildew on your cucamelons , visitthis articleto see how to prevent and treat it organically . Other common pests like aphid , caterpillars , mealy hemipterous insect , and bloodless fly do not affect our cucamelons either .
Harvesting Cucamelons
harvest time cucamelons once they touch theirmature size – about the size of it of a large grape . It is good to harvest themearly and often . If allow to sit too long on the vine , mature cucamelons have the leaning to become increasingly acid and hard . To be honest , I do n’t always succeed this advice though – and often pick them past their “ choice ” . They ’re still perfectly eatable and tasty then , IMHO ! After harvest , store cucamelons in therefrigerator .
To glean cucamelons , simply pinch or softly pluck them from the vine . The flimsy tendril - like stems easy break , so you wo n’t require scissors . This have cucamelonsperfect for kiddoswho are eager to facilitate glean the endearing fruit – and deplete them right from the vine ! ( I mean , can we blame them ? ) Be cautious with bantam tots since these could be a choke endangerment .
Ways to Eat Cucamelons
you could eat cucamelons any way you ’d bask other Cucumis sativus , and more ! They ’re excellent whole or halve on top ofsalads , sliced on a sandwich , pickled , or fermented . Their compaction and tart flavor is a welcome addition to cold alimentary paste salad , Timothy Miles Bindon Rice salad , or even in salsa . An Indian friend of mine enjoys them cooked , and will put forward electrocute thinly - sliced cucamelons with cumin seminal fluid , Curcuma longa , ironic chili , and Strategic Arms Limitation Talks to help on top of rice .
Because they ’re so darn cool look , they ’re easy to get creative with and can replicate as an eye - catch garnish . Folks like togarnish cocktailswith cucamelons – whole , halve or muddled . ( I ’ve heard they go exceptionally well with gin . ) It would also be super sport to block cucamelons inside chicken feed cubes to add to cocktails or other refreshing summer drinkable .
One of my favorite ways to expend a bumper craw of homegrown cucamelons is to pickle them . Check out ourquick and easy refrigerator pickled cucamelons recipe here . I hate to toot my own horn , but it ’s SO . GOOD . Hint : you may use the same recipe to pickle regular cucumber , Madagascar pepper , or green beans too ! If you prefer a lacto - turn jam rather of vinegar saltwater , simply followthis fermented beet recipeand substitute the beetroot for cucamelons . ( They will keep the best grain if you leave them whole and add a grape leaf to the jar , as described in our pickling recipe . )
How to Overwinter Cucamelon Tubers
As cucamelon vines mature , the source system develops knobby tubers . They are white to off - Andrew Dickson White in color , and range from 3 to 6 inches long . See the photo below . Each plant can rise one to several genus Tuber . The genus Tuber are perennial , meaning Modern vine will maturate from them year after year ! That is , as long as they are protect from freeze conditions .
Overwintering cucamelon tubers in place
In climates with mild , frost - free winters , you may simply cut back the vines at the end of the mature time of year and result the cucamelon tubers in the soil . Then , they ’ll sprout up again the undermentioned natural spring . If your area only receive some frost but the ground does not suspend solid ( for example , zones 8 and higher ) , you may overwinter cucamelon tubers powerful in the primer coat too . However , employ a dense stratum ofmulchon top for added insulating material , such as straw , sliced parting , or aged compost .
Digging up cucamelon tubers
Zones 7 and low will take to overwinter cucamelon tubersin containersto protect them from freezing . When digging up cucamelon tubers , it is authoritative to begentleand take care not to separate or damage them . Otherwise , they may not survive storage . To delve up cucamelon genus Tuber , utilize a pitch fork or shovel todig wide and deeparound the home of the plant life , and gently lift and sieve through the soil . The tuber may farm up to a fundament recondite . Do not pull up on the base of the plant or other rootage with the promise of excavate the genus Tuber without loosening the soil around them first . Even though our region is frost - costless , we occasionally compass up our cucamelon tubers to relocate them to different garden beds .
How to store cucamelon tubers
storage and overwinter cucamelon genus Tuber in a flowerpot , tub , or other container with freshpotting grime , peat moss , or horticultural Baroness Dudevant – much like you would salt away dahlia tubers or root vegetables . Pre - moisten your medium of choice ( potting soil , sand or peat ) , add a few inch to the bottom to the container , put down the Tuber in on top ( not poignant ) , then breed with another few column inch of the moist medium . Repeat this process several ‘ lasagna layer ’ deep if you have a lot of cucamelon tuber to store .
put in the container in acool , dark , protected locationthat will not be susceptible to freezing , such as a cellar , root root cellar , service department or scanty cupboard . Dampen very softly with H2O if the medium dries out , but void very pie-eyed condition or the tuber may decompose . Erring on the dry side is better . Potted cucamelon plants can be overwinter in the same mode , but right in their current container ! just move the mickle to a protected localisation for the wintertime , then put it back out in spring .
Planting overwintered cucamelon tubers
Come spring and after the peril of hoarfrost has passed , it is time to institute your overwinter cucamelon genus Tuber back in the garden . plant life cucamelon Tuber justan inch or two below the soil surface , make it easy for the thin tendrils to emerge . gardener with little arise seasons may want to get a jump start by pre - sprouting the cucamelon tubers indoors in container several week before their last frost particular date . To do so , plainly fulfill a grass with fresh potting soil , place the cucamelon tubers near the top , and cover them with one to two column inch of soil . Maintain damp and warm , and invest the container near a sunny window or under agrow lightonce new vine emerge . Graduallyharden offthe container of sprouted tuber before transplanting them out into the garden .
And that concludes this lesson on how to grow cucamelons.
Do n’t overleap these merriment mature guides and related clause :
