wonder how to spring up cucamelons ? You ’ve total to the right space . Cucamelons may search like a mouse - sized watermelon vine , but they savor like a cucumber vine with a citrous fruit kick . In Mexico , a Cucumis sativus is called “ sandía de raton , ” which means “ watermelon for a mouse . ” It is also known as the Mexican Sour Gherkin and the Mouse Melon .
No matter what you call them , cucamelons are well-situated to grow and resistant to pests and disease . Learn how to grow cucamelons and add this crunchy , vitamin - packed yield to your garden .
As a gardener who loves experimenting with singular edibles I became entirely bewitch with cucamelons several class ago . These grape - sized fruit face exactly like tiny watermelons but savour like a Cucumis sativus - lime hybrid . They ’re fun to grow and make a great conversation piece .
However , I recently face a challenge with my dear cucamelons I had let some of the late season fruits dry out on the vines , skip to hoard seeds . But could these wither little fruits still be revived to grow young cucamelon flora ?
Intrigued , I decided to find out . In this clause , I ’ll share what I discover about rehydrating and attempting to grow cucamelons from dried yield . take on for tips that may get your dried little fruits back to life !
For those unfamiliar with these unique veggies , cucamelons go by several aliases admit “ Mexican sour gherkins ” and “ mouse melons . ” They uprise in Mexico and Central America where they ’ve been cultivated for age .
These prolific vining industrial plant bring forth tons of tiny , oval fruits that wait like miniature watermelons . The flavour is a pleasant mix of cucumber and burnt lime .
Cucamelons are easier to grow than cucumbers , suffer cooler weather and resist pests and disease . The vine thrive trailing up support or ramble through other vegetables and flowers .
Letting a few cucamelons dry out on the vine at time of year ’s end provide seeds for next twelvemonth . But could these shriveled fruit still sprout if rehydrated ? I decide to find out .
Gathering My Desiccated Cucamelon Specimens
As my fall cucamelon vines fade I noticed a number of shrunken , dried fruits stick to the desiccated stems . These were cucamelons I ’d missed harvesting left to dry out wholly in the cooler fall temperatures .
The fruit were rock hard , their skin darkened and shriveled . Inside , the flesh was completely exsiccate . They felt luminance as a feather .
I collected a half 12 of these dry cucamelon “ mummies ” to try out with , carefully pruning them off the spend vines . I decided to see if any life remained in these dried - up yield that could potentially be quicken .
The Rehydration Process
Before attempting to grow my dried cucamelon specimens , the first order of job was rehydrating them .
I tested two different method to rehydrate my desiccated fruits .
Method 1: Soaking
For my first rehydration test , I simply intoxicate three of the dry cucamelons in room temperature water .
I allow them soak for 48 hours , changing the water day by day . The fruits did suck some wet , becoming weighty and more or less self-conceited . Their skin softened a bit but still seemed tough .
Method 2: Boiling
For the remaining three shriveled fruits , I try a dissimilar tactics : simmering .
I land a saucepan of water to a speedy boil . I drop in the dried cucamelons and seethe them for 3 mo before turning off the passion . I leave them in the cooling pee for 2 hour .
The boiled cucamelons plunk up quicker , immerse more weewee than the soaked batch . Their hide soften significantly . within , small seed tooth decay had begun to develop again .
Based on the results , I determined boiling was the better method acting to rehydrate arid cucamelons . The hot water seemed to penetrate the fruits faster , rapidly plumping them up .
Planting the Rehydrated Fruits
With my shrunken fruits rehydrated , it was time to attempt growing them ! I carefully embed each boil cucamelon half an inch deep in potting stain , watered gently , and placed them in a gay situation .
I stop the throne daily , keeping the territory moist but not soak . Amazingly , just four days later , two of the roil fruits sprouted ! Tiny vine began to unfurl .
The hock quite a little regrettably evidence no signs of life . But I was thrilled two rehydrated cucamelons seemed to be revive .
Over several weeks , those seedling grew taller and stronger . I top off the early flowers to encourage leafy emergence . After six calendar week , they looked like healthy young cucamelon plants , ready for transplanting to the garden !
Key Tips for Reviving Dried Cucamelons
My experiments showed it is potential to rehydrate dried cucamelons and potentially revive them to grow new plants . However , results are n’t guaranteed . Here are some primal gratuity :
Select fruit dried naturally on vine , not artificially dehydrate . Those shrivel by seasonal cold are more probable to check viable germ .
Rehydrate using boiling water instead of room temperature souse . The heating plant speeds infusion of wet into the dried fruit .
take into account 48 hours for thoroughgoing rehydration before establish germ . Patience pays off .
Check fruit daily and plant immediately once sprouts egress . infant seedlings need illumination ASAP .
conserve warm stain and offer unattackable luminosity once planted . Ideal condition give seedlings their best shot .
Transplant to garden only after 4 - 6 weeks when vines are several inches magniloquent and well launch .
With TLC and optimum conditions , you may luck out and coax life sentence back into some dried cucamelon specimens like I did ! It ’s an exciting gamble for adventurous gardener .
Even if seeds do n’t sprout , rehydrating dry fruits still provides you with cucamelon cum to roll up for planting next yr . So you have nothing to turn a loss .
I ’m cabbage on experimenting with these little yield . Their unique smell and tone already won me over , and now their tenacity enthral me too . If you love cucamelons as much as I do , consider grant dry yield a second chance ! With some luck and longanimity , you may be rewarded with a bounty of vigorous young vines .
Plant cucamelons at the right time
Cucamelons thrive in warm , humid weather . Once there is no longer any risk of Robert Frost in the spring and the night are warm enough ( about 50 ℉ ) , you may plant your cucumbers out of doors .
Here are the dates you’re able to plant cucumbers in Arizona ’s low desert and many other place where it gets hot in the summer :
Start seed indoors : December – March and June – August
Plant transplant outdoors : February 15 – April and August 15 – September
In Arizona , spring - establish cucamelons may not produce until cooler temperatures get along in the fall . If you’re able to keep the flora alert all summer , you might get a harvesting in both spring and drop .
The larger outflow - plant cucamelon plants often succumb a turgid harvesting than fall - plant cucamelons . To grow cucumbers in teetotal , hot place like Arizona in the summer , you need to check that they can deal the heat .
Harvest cucamelons at the right time
Cucamelons typically begin produce 65 - 75 days after transplanting . Harvest cucamelons when the fruits are the size of lowly grapes , firm , and brilliant green .
Cucamelons left on the vine past their prime quantity will soften and develop a chickenhearted tint . Pick cucamelons often to encourage production . go out cucamelons on the plant signals to the works to stop over producing .
Eat cucamelons fresh like grapes ( our favored manner ) or slice them and add them to salads . Enjoy them pickled ( so precious ! ) or even added to salsa .
Harvested cucamelons will store for 5 - 7 Day in the fridge . I love usingthese containersto help my produce last longer .
How to grow Cucamelon in a small space, in shade – Harvest and taste test!! Mini Mexican cucumbers
FAQ
How many cucamelon plants per person ?
How do you grow cucamelons from seed ?
apply a seed dispatcher to propagate cucamelons . industrial plant seeds in nutrient - rich soil a fourth or a half inch deep . For about two weeks , keep the soil moist but well - drained in the semen starter motor tray.—Place it in a sunny location , at least 70 ° F . When lank sprouts emerge , delicately transplant cucamelons to their last growing location .
How long does it take to originate a cucamelon ?
In all but the warmest orbit , give cucamelons full Sunday . In very red-hot summer area , grow cucamelons in a spot with afternoon shade . works cucamelon seed ¼ to ½ in bass . Seeds generally take between 7 - 14 days to germinate . Because cucamelon seeds germinate slowly , it can be hard to take up them alfresco .
How do you grow cucamelons in Arizona ?
Planting dates are for the scurvy desert of Arizona ( zone 9b ) . 3 . Plant cucamelons from seed or transplants in the correct location In all but the warmest areas , give cucamelons full sun . In very hot summer areas , turn cucamelons in a spot with good afternoon shade . Plant cucamelon seed ¼ to ½ inch deeply .
Can cucamelons grow in a container ?
container are another good option for inhuman climate or small space gardeners . Cucamelons take well to container growing , and in frigid areas , the whole container can be brought indoors after the first few frost . The pot should be store in a cool , unwarmed quad until the next grow season .
