Melothria Scabra, aka Cucamelon

🌍 The Many Names of Our Mini-Melons 🍈

Cucamelons are not just unique in their looks and taste but also go by a variety of charming names across the globe. Here are a few popular ones:

• Mouse Melon 🐭
• Mexican Sour Gherkin 🇲🇽
• Mexican Miniature Watermelon 🍉
• Sandíta (Little Watermelon in Spanish) 🇪🇸
• Sandíta Ratón (Mouse Watermelon in Spanish) 🐭🇪🇸
• Pepquiños 🎉

Regardless of what you call them, the joy they bring to your garden and your plate is universal! 🌎🌱

🔎 Species Info

• Native to Mexico & Central America 🌎
• Many names: Mouse Melon, Mexican Sour Gherkin, Sandita, etc. 🏷️
• Member of the Melothria genus, Cucurbitaceae family 🌿

🌿 Plant Description

• Slow-growing vine, up to 10+ ft 📏
• Grape-like, seed-heavy fruit 🍈
• Dense cover, fruiting until frost ❄️

🌸 Distinction from Cucumbers & Melons

• Monoecious: both male & female flowers 🌼
• Female flowers bloom before male flowers 🌺
• Can be grown as perennials in some climates 🔄

🌱 Planting Cucamelons

1. Seeds
   • Full sun, loamy soil, 70-75°F ☀️
   • Plant 1/4 inch deep, 2-3 seeds per spot 🌰
   • Germination: 1-4 weeks ⏳
2. Seedlings
   • Warmth is key 🔥
   • Emerges slowly, 3-5 weeks for secondary leafing 🌱
3. Sprouts
   • Harden off before transplanting 🌿
   • Delicate vines, train carefully 🌼
   • Rapid growth after 6th week, use trellis or fence for support 🚀

🌟 Growing Cucamelons

1. Fertilizing:
   • Similar rate to cucumbers 🌾
   • Weekly application during high growth 📆
2. Watering:
   • Germinate in warm, wet, humid environment 💧
   • 3-4 inches of water per week for rapid growth & mature plants 🚰
3. Training:
   • Vines grow like cucumbers, train up poles, fences, trellises 🎢
   • Can be woven through chain-link or plant cages 🌐
   • Retrain tendrils around various sized objects 🔁

🍇 Harvesting

• Fruit grows at the base of female flowers 🌸
• Pick fruit by pinching or twisting the vine 🤏
• Treat fruiting vine delicately for ongoing growth 🌿

🥗 Storing & Cooking

• Store in dry, cool place (refrigerator crisper or root cellar) ❄️
• Can be pickled or canned like cucumbers 🥒
• Enjoy raw, in salads, or explore online recipes for more ideas 🍽️