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Cucamelon

cucumber Cucamelon / mouse melon or Melothria scabra

15% off
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A curious cucurbit and melon-like climbing ‘vegetable’ with crunchy, edible, grape-sized, lime and cucumber tasting fruits. Cucamelon (or ‘Mouse Melon’) is fast-growing, and requires similar warm and sheltered greenhouse conditions as cucumbers. Technically a perennial, it's most often grown as an annual climber with double-spiralled tendrils, rough-textured green leaves, and small yellow flowers about 4mm across in summer.

Cucamelons are fairly easy to grow if they receive enough sunlight and warmth and have a support structure or space to grow. Use in exactly the same way you would traditional cucumbers (salads, salsas or pickled).

How to care for Cucamelon:

Sow three or four seeds into a 9cm (3.5in) pot of seed compost and keep warm in a propagator or on a sunny windowsill. Once seedlings have produced three true leaves, pot on individually.

Once all threat of frost has passed, harden off carefully and plant into the final growing site allowing 60cm (2ft) between plants. Protect young plants against slugs. It will help if you make small ridges of soil where you plan to grow your cucumbers and plant into the top to help water drain away from the stems and avoid rotting.

Growing instructions:

Sow three or four seeds into a 9cm (3.5in) pot of seed compost and keep warm in a propagator or on a sunny windowsill. Once seedlings have produced three true leaves, pot on individually.

Once all threat of frost has passed, harden off carefully and plant into the final growing site allowing 60cm (2ft) between plants. Protect young plants against slugs. It will help if you make small ridges of soil where you plan to grow your cucumbers and plant into the top to help water drain away from the stems and avoid rotting.


Grow cucamelns in a sunny, sheltered spot or in a greenhouse for the best results. Plant into rich, moisture-retentive soil or compost and keep well-watered, especially in dry weather. Train plants up a support to improve air circulation and keep fruits clean.

Feed regularly with a high-potash fertiliser once flowering starts. Harvest when they reach the desired size – cut them off with a knife or snip rather than twisting. Picking regularly encourages more fruits to form.


Flowering period:
  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec
Eventual height:
4m
Eventual spread:
1.5m
Position:

Full sun

Rate of growth:

Fast-growing

Soil:

Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil

Hardiness:

Fully hardy

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Seed Packets (only)£2.99
Named Day Delivery£10.99

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