Develop Cucamelons | Yard Gate

What’s a cucamelon?

Cute, crunchy cucamelons (Melothria scabra) are the popular vegetable in my yard. Everyone loves the grape-sized fruits that appear like tiny watermelons nonetheless type like cucumbers with a twist of lime. Moreover referred to as Mexican bitter gherkins, cucamelons are a warm-season crop and thrive within the summertime sunshine.

When to plant cucamelons

Cucamelons will probably be grown from seeds or seedlings. In zones 4 to 6 start seeds indoors 4 to 5 weeks sooner than the ultimate anticipated spring frost. In hotter areas, direct seed after the ultimate frost date. Transplant seedlings to the yard as quickly because the local weather is reliably warmth, a few week or two after the ultimate frost.

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The place to plant cucamelons

Enhance success by planting cucamelons the place they might get hold of on the very least 8 hours of photo voltaic every single day. Sooner than planting, I amend the soil with compost or aged manure and a handful of a slow-release pure fertilizer. No yard? No draw back! You can also develop cucamelons in pots. Select containers on the very least 16 inches all through to accommodate the vigorous crops.

Provide assist

On account of cucamelons sort prolonged vines, it’s best to supply them strong assist. I exploit trellises and tunnels, nonetheless you may moreover develop them up fences, yard netting, or twine. Rising the crops vertically moreover makes it easier to reap the small fruits.

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When to reap cucamelons

It’s possible you’ll rely on fruit about 75 days after transplanting seedlings in your yard. By late July my cucamelon crops are smothered in tiny yellow flowers. 7 to 10 days later the first fruits are ready to decide on. Harvest cucamelons as soon as they’re 3/4 to 1 inch prolonged, deciding on normally to encourage heavy cropping. The crops proceed to pump out fruits until frost and in direction of the tip of the season I let a few mature so I can accumulate and save seeds for the subsequent 12 months.