Tuesday 21 March 2017

The Cucamelon Cometh

Having a chat with Derek our site rep on Spencer Road he was talking about how a friend of his had put him onto Cucamelons and he was growing some this year. I really like the sound of the plants and thought I would also give them a bash this year, as I usually do well with growing cucumbers, so the seeds are ordered and on their way to me.
Below is the info from the Premier Seeds Direct eBay listing for your and my later information, and one of many videos I found on YouTube.
These tiny fruits originate in Central America, deliver a taste of watermelon with  a hint of lime.  The trailing vines are rampant and at home in any unheated glasshouse as well as a sunny sheltered spot outdoors.  Despite their exotic origins they are much easier to grow than regular cucumbers and not touched by the usual range of pests.  The plant is actually a perennial and provided the radish like root is dug up and stored much as a dahlia tuber over winter, they will flourish for many years.
  • Sow under cover (protected / heated) from Mid spring, 3-4 seeds 1/2in deep in a 3in pot in good compost.  (These will not germinate in cold / damp conditions, use a heated propagator or very warm location (20-25c) 
  • Transplant no later than 3 weeks after seeding as they have a tap root that can be easily damaged. . Best under glass but will grow outdoors in sheltered sunny spot. 
  • Will tolerate drought better than cucumbers.  Avoid over-watering. 
  • Provide support and space as these will rampantly trail over a large area 
  • Keep them picked and they’ll keep producing.
  • Harvest Jul-Sep

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