Here is a blog post on growing and harvesting cucamelon. I had great success in growing them and now writing a blog on how to grow and harvest them.
What are cucamelon? While they are not available to buy in supermarkets they are relatively easy to grow. They are basically mini cucumbers but in my opinion easier to grow.
Growing and Harvesting Cucamelon
To grow cucamelon from seeds is easy as they germinate easily. Seeds are available widely to buy from garden centers or on eBay. Sow them from late March till early June. When they are seedlings their roots are sensitive and don’t tolerate transferring much. They die easily as a result. Wait till are bigger then transfer them. Also, they don’t like too cold temperatures wait till the nighttime temperature is above 6 degrees at least or plant in a greenhouse.
Once mature they grow easily with well drain manure compost and prefer a sunny spot. They take about 6-8 weeks from seed sowing before they start to flower. Once they start to flower means they start producing little small melon-like buds under the flowers.
Like cucumber plants they are great climbers but they don’t produce strong tough stems. Here is a link on how to grow cucumbers. If growing on the ground they will need some support. However, they look great tumbling down on hanging baskets, pots or raised beds. Yes it is possible to grow them in pots and indoors as well. Like cucumbers and beans they have got those sticky things that stick out of stem that clings on the other plants for support. The good news is that they are much easier to grow than cucumbers. Less prone to diseases that cucumbers have.
They are not frost tolerant therefore needs protection over the winter period. Maybe a bit of slight frost they are able to shrug it off. Some gardeners say that can produce over the next year season but I haven’t had much luck with them so far. Come the cold season like most cucamelon stops growing and producing any flowers.
Once the melon starts to form feed them with some tomato feed. Once the cucamelon starts to swell, it’s ripen ready to harvest.
Cucamelon are great to serve on its own eaten raw. Or in cocktails or preserve brine in salt.
