introduction

What is cucamelon?

The cocamelon is a new fruit from the Cucurbitaceae family that comes from Mexico, meaning it shares some of its genetics with watermelon, cantaloupe, cucumber, or pumpkin.

That’s why it tastes great with other family members like cucumbers. Cocamelon tastes very similar to cucumber but with a hint of lime.

Although cocamelon is small, it cannot be grown at home. Pumpkins have certain physiological needs for normal growth and development, such as receiving direct sunlight.

However, since it grows upwards, it can be grown in small areas as long as it receives the necessary sun.

They look like tiny little watermelons. They are amazingly easy to grow and taste delicious. We are talking about small Mexican cucumbers.

Actually, these mini cucumbers are not cucumbers at all, because they actually belong to the cucurbit family, but in terms of taste, these small fruits are clearly cucumbers.

The “fruit” originally comes from Mexico, but unfortunately has fallen into oblivion. Now it is making a comeback, and the trend is upward, with new varieties being bred primarily for softer skin and high performance.

This easy-climbing plant can even be grown in pots, as long as you provide enough climbing support for the fast-growing tendrils. Grown in this way, it is an ideal snack plant that is also popular with children.

Small Mexican Cucumber Harvest. A tasty snack, like small tomatoes, peas, or radishes! From hand to mouth! Delicious!

Cultivation and use of the small Mexican cucumber

How do you keep cucamelons over winter?

There are two options for planting. First, the seeds can be sown indoors in the spring and after the last frost, usually from mid-May, the mini Mexican cucumbers are planted at a planting distance of 30–40 cm.

Or after the last frost, when the outdoor temperature is at least 18–25 degrees, plant the seeds preferably not too deep into the soil, and keep them moist, possibly mix some horn shavings into the potting soil.

  Cucumbers are also suitable for planting in plant pots for balconies.

Location and care of the Mexican mini cucumber

Picked Mexican mini cucumbers are served on a plate

The location should be a sunny place, protected from the wind, with garden soil rich in nutrients and humus, and the soil should not be too wet.

Initially, plants grow slowly until they reach the first sensitive plants.

 To speed up the growth, a greenhouse or a foil roof would be ideal, but this plant also grows well outdoors.

For the first 10 days, this tasty little cucumber needs about 25 degrees during the day to grow.

Since the cucumber plant can grow up to 3 feet tall, climbing supports (curtains, fences, chicken wire, or similar) are necessary.

The plant stores enough nutrients and water in its roots, so the nutrient requirement is not too high, however, watering should be done regularly during dry periods.

Please avoid waterlogging or excessive moisture, as even in advanced growth only a little water is needed and this significantly reduces susceptibility to disease.

Mexican mini cucumber: a delicious snack for young and old!

Since the plant also spreads in width, other plants must be planted at the necessary distance, otherwise, they will have to be freed from the growing cucumber rings.

At 2-4 cm in size, the fruits are ripe, have their aromatic, cucumber-like flavor, and can be harvested.

 They can be eaten directly from the plant with the skin or as a cucumber.

Younger fruits taste tender and fresh, but older fruits have too large seeds, from which the taste suffers.

Mexican mini cucumbers can be used as a salad or for pickling. The tender branches break easily, so they should be tethered with a climbing aid.

Unlike cucumber and pickling cucumber plants, the small Mexican cucumber is a bit more robust and pliable, and the leaves are not quite as prickly.

The plants are very productive and the fruits can be harvested from June to the end of October, as the new species of Melothria scabra are much more cold-resistant.

In this article, we will give a brief explanation of how to maintain and grow cocamelon The cocamelon is a new fruit from the Cucurbitaceae family that comes from Mexico, meaning it shares some of its genetics with watermelon, cantaloupe, cucumber, or pumpkin.

• That’s why it tastes great with other family members like cucumbers.
• They are amazingly easy to grow and taste delicious.
• A tasty snack, like small tomatoes, peas, or radishes!
• Location and care of the Mexican mini cucumber Picked Mexican mini cucumbers are served on a plate The location should be a sunny place, protected from the wind, with garden soil rich in nutrients and humus, and the soil should not be too wet.
• Mexican mini cucumbers can be used as a salad or for pickling.

conclusion

the cucamelon, also known as the Mexican mini cucumber, offers a delightful addition to any garden or culinary repertoire.

With its refreshing taste reminiscent of cucumber with a hint of lime, this small fruit is both easy to grow and delicious to eat.

Whether enjoyed fresh from the vine, added to salads, or pickled for later enjoyment, cucamelons provide a versatile and flavorful snack option.

By following proper cultivation techniques and providing adequate care, gardeners can ensure a bountiful harvest of these miniature delights from June through October.