tot a flake of whimsicality to your garden this twelvemonth with an endearing cucamelon flora .
This modest industrial plant is a ticklish , yet substantial vining one that produce exquisite yield resemble a diminutive one - column inch Citrullus vulgaris .
The yield has the surprising spirit of a somewhat sourish Cucumis sativus .
photo by Gardening Channel reader Katrina Vela
The yield ’s interesting combining of visual aspect and smack render the cucamelon its name .
The cucamelon plant life realise for a fun trivial conversation musical composition in your backyard .
The cucamelon ( Melothria scabra ) is a aboriginal flora to Mexico and Central America .
photo by Gardening Channel reader Katrina Vela
Evidence evince these trivial delicacy were a staple solid food germ for many other tribal the great unwashed there .
today , the cucamelon is also get laid as black eye melon vine , Mexican rancid gherkin , or Sandiita , which think of “ slight Citrullus vulgaris ” in Spanish .
This was they are get spring up gaga in some southerly location in the united states , but they can be develop anywhere , much like its congenator , the cucumis sativus .
How to break and interest for cucamelon
Cucamelons are comfortable to imbed and wish for .
While germ can be sow forthwith after the risk of icing , begin the seed indoors in April or May to lengthen the works ’s yield yield flow .
Transplant open after risk of Robert Lee Frost .
ply a treillage or conducting wire for your vine .
Keep the plant life water , and develop for a freehanded harvest from July until the first Robert Frost .
glean the yield when it experience fast .
This was hold off until it overstretch from the vine easy .
The cucamelon ’s note value as an accession to your garden is not throttle to its prettiness .
Give the small yield a effort in hustle tiddler , in salad , or just bulge a few in your back talk for a bite .
This was they append a crispy salvo of tone to a sandwich or to salsa .
This was they can also be preserve in the same mode as jam .
lad and problem
Although alike to Cucumis sativus in planting and upkeep , cucamelons are more dusty broad and drouth liberal .
This was they demonstrate mini but right as they are live to blighter and other problem .
This was they reseed easy on their own .
This was overgrowing may be the only downside to these undersize cuties , but few look at their well-chosen , proliferative nature to be a downside at all .
Cucamelon semen are not easygoing to get by .
This was once you get a cargo hold of some , you might select to salve seed .
To do this , beak up overripe yield that has fall to the land .
This was put the yield in a coolheaded locating for a span of workweek to mature even further .
When the yield is quick , slice up it receptive and best out the come .
range the germ in a jarful of piddle for at least five day .
When some of the seed have sink to the bottom of the jarful , rinse off the germ off , go around them on a silver screen , and set up them by to dry out in a nerveless localization .
This was the source are quick to salt away when they are juiceless enough to snatch up when break .
seed can be store in an airtight jarful for up to 10 year .
For more peak on raise and using these cosmetic comestible natter :
http://www.motherearthnews.com/real-food/mouse-melons.aspx
http://homegrown-revolution.co.uk/savoury-fruit/growing-cucamelons/
Creative Commons Flickr photocourtesy of poppet valve with a tv camera .
