Mouse melon known as 'Cucamelon' or Melothria scabra is a native plant to Mexico and Central America.It has tiny light green, dark striped, crispy white flesh has cucumber-like flavor with lemony tartness, fascinating little novelty
The fruits are small enough to fit into a teaspoon, yet bite into one and the flavour is pure cucumber with a refreshing tinge of lime. Its unique flavour, its pest-free and rampant habit of growth, not to mention its huge productivity, all conspire to recommend this unusual vine to home gardeners looking for something new to add to their menus.
They are found growing wild in some southern locations in the United States, but they can be grown anywhere, much like its relative, the cucumber.
How to grow and care for cucamelon
Cucamelons are easy to plant and care for. While seeds can be sown directly after the danger of frost, start the seeds indoors in April or May to lengthen the plant’s fruit production period. Transplant outdoors after danger of frost. Provide a trellis or wire for your vines. Keep the plant watered, and prepare for a bountiful crop from July until the first frost. Harvest the fruit when it feels firm. Wait until it pulls from the vine easily.
Although similar to cucumbers in planting and care, cucamelons are more cold tolerant and drought tolerant. They prove mini but mighty as they are resilient to pests and other problems. They reseed easily on their own. Overgrowing may be the only downside to these undersized cuties, but few consider their happy, proliferative nature to be a downside at all.
Information
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Common Name : Mouse melon, Mexican miniature watermelon. Other Common Names :Mexican sour gherkin, Mexican sour cucumber Family: Cucurbitaceae Genus :Melothria Species :scabra Cultivar:F1 Sweetheart Spacing: 10 to 15cm (4 to 6in) apart Position :Full Sun Soil :Fertile, Well Drained Time to Sow:April to May Germination:6 to 10 days at 24°C (75°F). Time to Harvest:June to September. |
FINDING CUCAMELON SEEDS:
You can buy these beautiful seeds from these vendors here
http://www.chilternseeds.co.uk/item_1359m_cucamelon_seeds
http://www.seedaholic.com/melothria-scabra-cucamelon.html
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