Melothria scabra, also known as the cucamelon, is a vine grown for its edible fruit. Fruits are about the size of grapes and taste like cucumbers with a tinge of sourness. Vernacular names include mouse melon, Mexican sour gherkin, cucamelon, Mexican miniature watermelon, Mexican sour cucumber and pepquinos.
Melothria Scabra Care
Melothria Scabra
Other names: Cucamelon, Mexican Miniature Watermelon, Mexican Sour Cucumber, Mexican Sour Gherkin, Pepquinos
What is the plant
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Humidity
Normal
Lighting
Full Sun
Temperature
min 15°C
Difficulty
Medium
Hibernation
Cold Period
How to Care for the Plant
Water
Keep these seeds in a jar filled with water for about a week.
Pruning
A tender perennial, can be grown under glass all year. Harvest from midsummer to early autumn when fruit feels firm and easily pulls away from the stem. Will ripen after picking.
Fertilizer
Fertilization is essential, so never remove the male flowers.
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Soil
It is best to grow these plants vertically rather than on the ground as slugs will damage fruit in contact with the soil.
Temperature
Despite the melon in the name, cucamelons are grown like small cucumbers. Cucumelons are a warm-season crop; they are harmed or killed by frost and grow and produce best at daytime temperatures of about 65° to about 75°F, with growth and fruiting diminished at temperatures above 85°F.
Container
You can grow one or two plants in a 5 to 7-gallon size pot (12-14 inches container).
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Additional
Toxicity. The ripe berries, which are black, have powerful laxative qualities when consumed. The root, vines, leaves, and flowers have unknown toxicity.
Popularity
19 people already have this plant 3 people have added this plant to their wishlists
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