Melothria scabra
About 10 to 15 years ago , no one I knew had a hint what a Mexican sour gherkin was .
If you had asked how to grow mouse melon , cucamelon , or sour cucumber , you might have gotten some strange looks . So , naturally , as shortly as I saw some available in a seeded player sharing group , I offer up to trade for them .
gardener are nothing if not adventurous .
We associate to vendor to help you find relevant products . If you bribe from one of our link , we may clear a charge .
Without a doubt , these unmated little grapeshot - sized penis of the gourd kinfolk were one of my out-and-out favored craw to originate . After growing them twice , I learned quite a bit about them , and I ’m happy to share it all .
Come and learn how to implant , grow , and care for cucamelons aka Mexican sour gherkins ! Here ’s what I ’ll cover :
What You’ll Learn
There are so many dress shop harvest that elapse in and out of fashion that sometimes , it can be tough to keep up .
Many of them are interesting to gardeners who are tired of bring on the same old thing , year after year . Sometimes they decrease out of manner because of downcast proceeds , or it takes a groovy pile of work to raise them in region outside their aboriginal dominion .
Often , these crops are a solid food source common to other cultures , in places where they ’ve been educate and eaten for centuries .
Such is the sheath with the Mexican sour gherkin , which has stay as a favourite for many home gardeners for years now .
What Are Cucamelons?
computer mouse melons , cucamelons , or sour gherkins , are a species go to theMelothriagenus . This group is a part of the Cucurbitaceae fellowship , which also includes plants likecucumbers , gourd , andsquash .
Sour gherkin , orM. scabra , is a metal money that is native to the Americas and most commonly found in Central America .
Other standardised specie can be find growing in the wild throughout North , Central , and South America , and the West Indies . Some have naturalized in other regions .
It ’s extremely important to make a note betweenM. scabraand other species likeM. pendulaandM. charantia .
These species bear a strong resemblance when the fruits they produce are immature , but as the fruits ofM. charantiaandM. pendulamature and mature , they turn smutty .
After they ’ve darken in color , they ’re toxic , and should not be ingest . Fruits ofM. scabra , however , are eatable at any stage . Always confirm the specie prior to eating to be sure it ’s safe .
In their aboriginal region , these creep vine are typically found in forested surface area or along their margins , growing with the bread and butter of surrounding plants . They prefer loamy soil , but have been constitute growing in sandy , lean , or wet term as well .
Anatomy
foliation of this species is much like that of a gourd or cucumber . Their long , fuzzy vine and foliage are almost identical to those of cucumbers , with tendril that help them to climb and cling to surrounding structures .
Blooms seem in spring and summertime with the female blossom opening first , unlike most Cucurbitaceae species . The peak are sensationalistic and five - petaled with a dimpled chad in the center of each .
The biggest preeminence between cucamelons and their cousins come from the fruits , which are relegate as Chuck Berry . They range in size from three - quarters of an inch to an inch and a half in length and have a green and white leach form akin to a tinywatermelon .
On the inside , the fruit have indulgent , tear - shaped seeded player inside crisp ashen anatomy . Their flavor is much like cucumber , although there is a flimsy relish that is often described as being lime - same .
Underground , the vine sprout from antecedent that develop belittled tubers as they mature .
In regions where temperatures stay above freezing throughout the class , cucamelon plant are perennial and may acquire all year long . In cooler region , the tubers will need protection to generate in the spring .
They can also be replant each year rather than protecting or storing the genus Tuber , and grown as annuals .
Vines can reach 10 to 12 feet or more in length and need financial backing to rise and produce .
yield are produced from summertime through free fall , normally until first frost , and any that are pass on on the vine after they reach maturity will continue to mature and fall off on their own . Those that do can be collected for seed .
As I name , these tasty piffling Citrullus vulgaris wannabes have been cultivate and eaten for C by Mesoamericans . Let ’s discuss that a bit more .
Cultivation and History
Cucurbit crop have been in cultivation for more than 11,000 twelvemonth .
Many useful , nutritious crops were cultivate and slip by down by the Aztec citizenry and other Indigenous groups in Central America long before they were chronicled in document history .
The Mexican sour gherkin is but one of those species , which has been referred to by common names include sandiita , or “ little Citrullus vulgaris , ” and sandia de raton , or “ shiner melon vine , ” for centuries by the peoples of the region .
Many cucurbit have a bitter flavor that most people do n’t opt , and this is one reason why cucamelons are so popular – their flavor is sweet and soft .
In the mid-1800s , the industrial plant was account in one of the first know drop a line record by Charles Victor Naudin , a Gallic phytologist .
Carl Linnaeus also had a hired man in naming the species , although there is some debate about how the name was descend . It was n’t until the mid-1980s that the condition “ cucamelon ” came about .
Members of Indigenous groups used the fruits as a nutrient source , adding them whole or hack to mixed salads and stir - frying them to be served with Pisces the Fishes and other meats . They were also fed to livestock and eaten fresh from the vine .
Today , they can be used in the same ways and are democratic for pickling as well . Their tiny proportions are perfect for packing into a shock for pressure sensation dismiss with acetum and spices .
USDA Hardiness Zones 2 to 11 are suitable for growing cucamelons ; however , they wo n’t make it through the wintertime north of Zone 7 without tribute from hard freezing . We ’ll get over winterizing in the Maintenance section below .
As the yield mature , beyond peak harvest , they ’ll begin falling from the vine on their own .
For seed saving , they should be left to heal for one to two weeks longer in a cool , dry place and then the seeds can be scooped out and fermented before save or sowing .
Propagation is easy and fun , and we ’re going to continue that next .
Propagation of Cucamelon Plants
Cucamelons should be direct - seed outdoors . look to plant until the danger of freeze has evanesce and temperatures in the evening are at least 40ﹾF . Warmer ground typically leave in riotous germination .
Choose a site with copious , loamy soil and full sun . Be cognisant that any structure or industrial plant nearby can become a volunteer treillage , so keep the planting land site separated from touchy specimen .
It ’s not recommended to start these come indoors , for two reasons .
First , the roots of most cucurbits do n’t like to be touched or disturbed . second , seedling of this variety are very , very delicate and they do n’t graft well , specially if they need to be indurate off .
From Seed
set about seed outdoors in former to mid - spring after the risk of frost has passed .
start by roughing the soil at the planting site by raking or till to loosen it up . Water it enough to wash it but verify any supererogatory water drains off .
Mound the dirt at 24 - inch intervals and industrial plant one to two seeds per mound , slip in them about a after part to a half an inch deep , point side down . deal them and give the soil a easy press to determine them in .
If all-night temperatures are still coolheaded , you could use a dome cover to create a microclimate that will insulate the seedling , such as these garden cloche that areavailable in a pack of 10 from Amazon .
Garden Cloche
cloche can be used until temperature warm but should be removed on gay , blistering , or humid days , as they can cause wilting .
Be sure to keep the release open as it gets warm outside and remove the covert when evening temperatures are at least 50ﹾF minimum , or the seedling educate their first tendril .
Germination can fall out within seven days to two weeks , calculate on the land temperature . Keep the wet level ordered by checking the soil surface daily . In the absence of rain , it ’s honorable to bid aboutone in of H2O per workweek .
The land site you choose should have a structure for the plants to climb on , which should be installed when they ’re under about four inches in meridian . Tendrils form ahead of time and are eager to latch on .
A support structure should be able to take for several pounds per vine , although they ’re not as heavy as most cucurbit due to the tiny sizing of the yield .
Container - growing is also an option .
Choose a container with drainage holes that offers at least 12 column inch of depth and width per works . This 32 - by-18 - in cedar planterfrom Leisure Season via Home Depotworks absolutely for growing two or three plants .
Cedar Planter Box
Fill the container with grunge rich in organic cloth , in a ratio of one part soil to one part perlite or vulgar silica grit , and water it well . Allow the excess wet to run out off .
Make small cumulation space 12 to 18 inches asunder , and press the seeds about a quarter in deep . handle them and press softly to settle them in .
Be certain to tot a treillage or other support early on to allow them to grasp and climb up .
Transplanting
If you contrive to purchase starts – although , I ’ve never seen them for sale – await for those that are rise in peat pots .
Make a pickle the same breadth and astuteness as the pot and drop it in cautiously . Cover the toilet with land to the base of the seedling but be very gentle , as they can easily be damaged .
Install digest as early on as possible . Water in well to settle and keep the wet level reproducible for the first few weeks .
How to Grow Mexican Sour Gherkins
The planting website should allow for full Lord’s Day exposure , with at least six hour of direct sunshine per day . Be sure to keep the skirt area clear of obstruction that can inhibit sunlight , airflow , or pollinator access .
Soil should be rich and loamy . Mixing in one part compost and one part gumption at the planting positioning will render the nutrient and drain they need . Keep the pH between about 6.0 and 6.5 for optimum wellness .
A treillage or other sturdy reinforcement , such as this A - frame cucumber garden growing supportfrom Garden ’s Alive via Home Depot , is a good choice . It offers two sides and allows for the fruits to hang down out from the leaves .
Gardens Alive Cucumber Growing Support
Guide the vines toward the trellis and mildly weave them through and around it to get them set off . Once they have a hold of it , it may still be necessary to from time to time direct errant vines back on track .
Do n’t allow the vine to track along the priming as this can invite plague such as slugs and snail , and pass on them susceptible to terms from being trampled .
Offer about one inch of water per week in the absence of rain . Cucamelons are rather drought tolerant once found , except in the warmest zones .
While they are capable to defy the oestrus of summer , in the hottest regions where the heat live on all daylight , they will prefer some fond shade .
Mexican sullen gherkins can be potted and grown in container as well , as described above . So if you ’d rather add them to a porch or terrace garden , that is an option .
Adding fertilizer is optional , although the vine will benefit from an program of two to four column inch of well - rottedcompostin other spring and midsummer . Be sure to keep off pile the compost against the stem .
If you have poor dirt or want to give your vines a boost , aflare applications programme of fertilizerdoesn’t suffering .
Espoma Organic Garden - Tone
render using a balanced blending such as Espoma Organic Garden - Tone Herb and Vegetable Food , which is available in eight- or 27 - pound bagsfrom Home Depot .
Apply packaged fertilizers consort to their printed instructions and make certain to water in well to foreclose a buildup of mineral Strategic Arms Limitation Talks .
Growing Tips
Maintenance
No matter if you start in - ground or in a planter , if you be after to grow cucamelons as perennial , they ’ll need wintertime protection in some regions .
As I mentioned , sour gherkin can be grown throughout Hardiness Zones 2 to 11 , although they ’ll involve winter protection from Zone 7 north .
Gardeners in region that do n’t experience difficult primer coat freezing can cut the foliage back to ground grade in previous fall and mulch with four to six column inch of shredded bark or straw .
Just be certain to discharge the direction in spring by moving the mulch aside so the new sprouts can egress .
surface area where hard freezes are common require trim the vines back to the ground in late fall , just after the first frost , and lift the tubers for entrepot .
It may be necessary to dig around to find all of them but do so mildly , as they’renot as tough as white potato vine . Dig the tubers up , rinse them off , and allow them to dry for a few 60 minutes in a cool , dry place to prevent decompose in memory board .
Prepare a large paper bag or container with a few cups ofcoconut coirand stead a few tubers on top . Add another layer of cocoanut coir and tubers , repeating until all of them are covered .
close up the top of the bag over slackly and place it in an unwarmed but sheltered location such as the garage or basement to await replanting in the outpouring .
After the last frost date in your region , prepare the flat coat or a container as described in the How to Grow section above . Bring the tubers out of repositing and allow them to warm up to the outside temperature .
cautiously get rid of them from the substratum and souse them in warm piss for about 30 minutes to rehydrate them . This will also sign them to come out of dormancy .
localise the tubers about three inches thick in the soil so the crown is no more than one in below the Earth’s surface , and cover them over . Water them in well and they should germinate within seven to 14 Day .
Where to Buy Cucamelon Seeds
At this time , only the species plant is useable for sale – no commercially available cultivar have been develop .
Cucamelon seeds are open pollinated heirlooms that bring out true to the parent , which means they can be harvested at the last of each time of year as well .
It takes 60 to 70 days to give maturity date , and vines can reach 10 feet in length or more in that clock time . hardy musical accompaniment is crucial , as described above , as is clearing the way for pollinator to reach the blooms .
Cucamelons
you could purchaseM. scabraseeds inpackets of 30 from Burpee .
Managing Pests and Disease
Despite their membership in the Cucurbitaceae crime syndicate , cucamelons are nearly pest free and very disease insubordinate . We ’ll briefly touch on a few progeny to keep an eye out for .
Herbivores
With the exception of the occasional test nibble from a cony or squirrel , there are no known herbivores that will defoliate this species .
Just as I type this , I ’m sure there ’s a squirrel somewhere with plan to the contrary , but as it stands – we ’re in the exonerated !
Insects
Only two common pestis are known to bother with these miniature cukes , and we all know and possibly loathe both : the slug and the aphid .
I would take exception you to find a originate guide for any vulgar craw that does n’t mention aphids . They ’re much ecumenical , appearing without discourage and sucking the lifetime out of many plants indiscriminately .
The fluid loss is n’t always the killer – sometimes it ’s the disease that are transferred by their piercing mouthpart that cause the most damage .
If you happen to spot augury of infestation , such as stunt , foliage curling , and discolouration , or if you spot the pest , check outour guide to shell out with aphidsand take action fast .
If you have slugs in your area that are know to visit the garden , they ’ll most likely munch on the leaf and fruit of the mouse melon as well .
This is less likely to happen if the vines are trained on a trellis rather than trailing on the ground , but it ’s still not impossible .
Learn how to operate slugs in our guide .
Disease
With such a short list of pests of concern , I ’m indisputable you were hoping for the same with diseases . lamentable to disappoint , but there are a few to be wary of with glowering gherkins .
Among botanic disease , mosaic virus are some of the most damaging unwellness that can befall a crop .
They also infect the all-embracing range of host mintage , with over one thousand cognize fruit , vegetables , and ornamental affected by various character of mosaic viruses .
Cucumber mosaic computer virus is get by several different Cucumovirus pathogens , and is qualify by leaf mottling , growth distortions and stunting , and deformities of the fruit .
Typically , virus such as these are passed from host to host via the feeding mouthparts of insects such as aphid .
When they thrust tissue to feed from the blackjack on the interior , they infect the plant with the virus at the same time . This can cause far-flung harm .
Unfortunately , there is no curative for mosaic computer virus and affected works will involve to be removed and put down . Never compost them , and be sure that you do n’t save seeds from them either , as seeds can be carriers of viral pathogen .
Powdery mildew is a pain . There are hundreds of fungal pathogens that can cause it and it can show up on thousands of dissimilar plants .
Learnhow to apportion with powdery mold naturally in our comprehensive guide .
Harvesting Cucamelon Fruit
It ’s soft and fun to harvest cucamelons !
Throughout the summer , Modern fruit is set incessantly . Be sure to check daily since they only take a couple days to suppurate . They can also be rather sneaky and hide behind the big leaf .
They ’re cull in the same fashion as cucumbers , with one exclusion – the vine can be rather touchy , so it ’s good to either snip ripe cucamelons off with clean shears or contain the stem and twine each one free .
The best direction to state if they ’re ripe is to monitor their size . pollenate female peak will throw away their flower petal and the ovary will get to plop in the same twenty-four hour period . In my own experience , they may be the sizing of a grape and ready to eat within the next day or two !
As they continue to ripen and ripen , they run to lose firmness of purpose as the seminal fluid inside fill out .
Any that you do n’t pick within about a workweek from when they start developing are well leave to mature full if you plan to roll up germ . Otherwise , you may clean any that are past their bloom and toss them on the compost pile .
Store harvested fruit in the refrigerator for up to two weeks if you do n’t plan to eat it right away .
Preserving Mexican Sour Gherkins
These petite cuke are the perfect picklers !
gargle your harvest home off and pat them dry . Add them to a canning jarful , fill with your alternative of brine made with acetum , salinity , and spices , and pressure can them for delectable pickles to enjoy all class long .
If your pickling acquisition are underdeveloped , take a spirit at this expert articlefrom our sis internet site , Foodal , to learn all about how it ’s done .
Recipes and Cooking Ideas
Sour gherkins can be used in the same style as you ’d use cucumbers . They ’re delectable when eaten naked as a jaybird , or they can be burst down the middle and dispose into salads . Or , leave them whole if you favour – no desquamation or seeding necessary .
For a cooked veggie side , split the cucamelons in one-half , sky them in a genus Pan with butter or vegetable oil , and saute to your liking . It only require a couple of minutes , and they make a wonderful accompaniment to angle or volaille .
billet them and place them on some hydrofoil or a grill - safe tray , and add butter , salt , and a emergency of red chili fleck . Grill them for just a few minutes until they start to release their juices and serve them as a relish with grill pork chops or Salmon River .
They blend cleanly with tomatoes , garlic , and oil for a brisk bruschetta topping as well .
My mouth is watering just think about it !
Quick Reference Growing Guide
Mighty Mouse Melons or Quirky Cukes?
My tike and I love cucumbers , so each year , I always planted several surplus vine to verify we would have enough for pickling and preserving as well as eating smart .
Once I found this adorable , quirky choice , it became a staple in our garden plan too .
If you ’re shopping for some morecucurbit crops to add variety to your harvesting , check these guides out next :
© Ask the Experts , LLC . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.See our TOSfor more details . Originally published on May 3rd , 2022 . Last updated March 23rd , 2023 . Product picture via Burpee , Home Depot , and SOLIGT Store . Uncredited photos : Shutterstock .
About
Kelly Spicer
