Melothria

Season Overview

Description

Climbing plant growing up to about 2.50 m high with many, small, oval fruits. The olive-sized mini-turks are dark green-light striped marbled and resemble tiny watermelons. Fruits grow to 2-4 cm in size. Crisp sour, fresh lemony-cucumber flavor. Can also be pickled.

Growing tips

Germination temperature 18-25° C, germination period approx. 21-28 days; prick out seedlings after approx. 1 week in nutrient-rich soil, provide small supports, further cultivation at approx. 18° C, plant out after the Ice Saints (sensitive to frost!); uncomplicated to grow, good yield, also possible in containers with sufficient climbing support. It is best to choose a wind-protected location. A climbing aid and tying supports the cucumber. Do not water this cucumber too much, as this increases its susceptibility to disease and it has a storage root. It can be overwintered by digging up the roots and storing them frost-free in damp sand, or the mini cucumber can be sown again from seed the following year. The fruits are ripe when they are approx. 2-4 cm in size and the skin can be easily pressed in, but is not yet mushy.

Details

Light requirement

Sunny

Water requirement

Moist

Soil

Light (sandy)

Nutrient requirement

Medium

Plant distance

40 cm

Row spacing

50 cm

Seeding depth

1.5 cm