Melothria scabra, the Latin name for this plant, tastes like a cucumber but looks more like a small melon with its patterned skin. The attractive climbing plant also thrives very well in our latitudes. You can purchase these ready-made from a specialist garden retailer or, using our instructions, you can easily do them yourself.
The Mexican mini cucumber is best grown in small pots
The right growing time
Since the seedlings of the Mexican mini cucumber do not tolerate frost, they may only be planted out after the ice saints. So don't force the plants too early. Late March or early April is the best time.
sowing
Since the mini cucumber belongs to the pumpkin family, it needs a warm and sunny place in the house to germinate. The ideal temperature is 18 to 21 degrees, even higher. So until the first leaves appear, a window sill above a radiator is perfect.
- A mini greenhouse (€7.95) or small growing pots that are covered with a translucent film are suitable for the cultivation.
- As a substrate, you should preferably use special growing soil. Since this is low in nutrients, the seedlings are encouraged to develop strong roots.
- Place the seeds about one to two centimeters deep in the ground (dark germ).
- Water with a sprayer and keep the substrate evenly moist. The seed must never dry out.
- Always water with room-warm, lime-free water.
- Air daily to prevent rot from forming.
Now you have to be patient, because the germination period is 21 to 28 days.
growing the plants
In order for Melothria Scabra to develop vigorously, the foil or transparent cover of the indoor greenhouse is removed after germination. Provide plenty of light so that the little mini cucumbers don't go haywire. A plant lamp (€21.99) that you place directly above the bowls would be ideal.
tips
Melothria Scabra is a climbing plant. It forms spiral gripper arms that wrap themselves tightly around a structure and quickly overgrows it. If you want an extraordinary privacy screen in your garden that also bears delicious fruit, this plant is perfect. If you protect the mini cucumber well from frost, you can even overwinter it outdoors in mild regions.