6 May 2019 Cucamelon (Melothria scabra)

[Durgan]

6 May 2019 Cucamelon (Melothria scabra)
Posted on May 6, 2019 by Durgan
http://durgan.org/2019/May 2019/6 May 2019 Cucamelon/HTML/ 6 May 2019 Cucamelon
Seeds of the cucamelon were prepared for outdoor planting at the end of May. The seeds were spouted under a damp towel for three days until they sprouted, then placed in pots to get larger and establish strong roots. Th trellis was prepared for outdoor planting at the end of May.

 

[Meadowlark]

Mine are direct seeded next to a bean trellis. Planted about 5 days ago and just now breaking through.

 

[Durgan]

Have you grown cucamelon in the past? If so how many plants?
It is still cold in my Zone 5, 10C this day and raining.

 

[Meadowlark]

No, I first learned about them in a thread on this forum...and decided I had to try some. I'll probably thin to about 6 or so plants (30 seeds) and let them grow up a bean trellis.

My climate is much more conducive to growing them here than your zone 5...so I expect them to take off quickly.

 

[headfullofbees]

My seedlings have their first true leaves; cucurbits in miniature.

I just sprouted my seeds in a normal seed tray.

 

[headfullofbees]

In 3.5 inch plant pot.

 

[Durgan]

Very nice. I planted 8 pots and only one is showing leaves now. Irritating. I got some more under a towel. Will try again.

 

[headfullofbees]

I suspect they are prone to rotting, like other cucurbit seeds, so try potting them on blunt end down, 1/2" deep and water from the top only once. Keep warm.

 

[headfullofbees]

Most of my cucamelons now have four true leaves and are quite long for their girth, so will be planting out soon.
I have eight good and one mediocre from that nine, and potted up another 6 seedlings, which I gave, with another few plants, to sell at their makers market stall, which they have once a year.
Will try to post a pic soon.

 

[Meadowlark]

Cucamelon growth check:

Mine are about three feet high now and climbing for the sky. The plants don't have any noticeable blooms yet but expect this to begin soon. They seem a bit dainty...but I guess the little cucamelons will be as well.

 

[Durgan]

Wonderful. The cucumelon sure like heat. Mine are doing very poorly. Too cold I think.

 

[headfullofbees]

Mine are coming on, but not nearly as advanced as Meadowlark's.
I'm trying a number of ways of growing them.
I have three in pots in the garden, which seem ok, three which I put in the ground at my allotment, now down to one due to predation (suspect slugs), and two I'm trying to trail, in the greenhouse in hanging baskets, which also look ok.
The half-dozen others I gave to the allotment society to sell to raise funds all sold.

 

[headfullofbees]

Cucamelon growth check:

Mine are about three feet high now and climbing for the sky. The plants don't have any noticeable blooms yet but expect this to begin soon. They seem a bit dainty...but I guess the little cucamelons will be as well.


View attachment 54776

I suspect that, like most perennials, they are at least later in their first year.

 

[Meadowlark]

Drum roll please....

My first ever cucamelon.

Tiny, dainty little guys that hopefully will grow into something edible

.