From June to October, Melothria Scabra bears ripe fruits that look like small honeydew melons but taste like aromatic cucumbers. In autumn, the climbing plant contracts, turns unsightly yellow and dies off on the surface. No reason to throw away the Mexican mini cucumber, because if it overwinters properly, it will sprout again next year.
After harvesting, the Mexican mini cucumber can be cut back and overwintered
dig up roots
Melothria scabra forms underground storage organs that you can overwinter in a relatively cool place in the house and plant out again in spring. In the fall, do the following:
- Cut back the above-ground parts of the plant as soon as the outside temperature falls below ten degrees permanently.
- Carefully dig up the root bulbs.
- Remove dirt by hand or with a soft brush.
- Let the tubers dry a little on newspaper.
- Unlike dahlias, you should bury the storage organs in moist sand because they must not dry out.
- Avoid touching the tubers as they rot easily.
- Place the boxes in a frost-free room. Temperatures between five and eight degrees are ideal.
Due to the overwintering method, the storage organ continues to grow and produces ever larger and more productive plants.
Hibernation outdoors
In mild regions where temperatures only briefly drop below freezing, you can overwinter Melothria scabra outdoors. To do this, cut back the above-ground parts of the plant in autumn and spread a winter protection made of brushwood or mulch (€239.00) over the plant. Covering with plant fleece has also proven itself.
tips
The Mexican mini cucumber is seed-proof. If you do not want to overwinter the plant, you can obtain seeds from the fully ripe fruits. Store the valuable seeds labeled in small bags until sowing in spring.