Cucamelon - Mexican Sour Gherkin (Heirloom)

Mexican Sour Gherkin: You may know this adorable vegetable as Mouse Melon, named for it being the perfect size for a mouse’s meal. This cucumber-like fruit is shaped like a baby watermelon! Great for salads and pickling, it gives a flavor combination of cucumbers and lemon. They are best planted in hanging baskets or trellised in containers. Planting Tips: Seeds can be sown directly into the soil after the last average frost. The seeds prefer soil that is colder than 60 degrees. You can use rows or hills. Place 4-6 seeds per group and thin to the strongest 3 to 4 seedlings when they reach 1-2 inches in height. Indoor starts are not necessary, but can be started 3 to 4 weeks before the last average frost. Curing the heat of summer, afternoon shade is beneficial to the plants. Seed Planting Depth - ½ inch, Seed Spacing - 3 inches, Days to Germination - 7-14, Plant spacing after thinning - 19-26 inches, Row spacing - 18-24 inches, Plant height - 12 inches. Harvesting the fruits frequently will maintain a healthy production.

Seed Saving: If you save cucumber seeds, it is best to plant one type of cucumber per year. Otherwise, this plant may cross pollinate. Allow cucumbers to mature on the vine if possible. Once the color changes to yellow or orange, they will need to continue maturing on the vine or in a container until soft to the touch. Halve the fruit, place the pulp, seeds and water in an open container and allow this to ferment for 3 days at a temperature of 70 to 80 degrees. Next, add fresh water to the mixture and stir. Viable seeds will sink to the bottom allowing anything floating to be poured off. Place seeds on a coffee filter until the seeds easily snap. Store dry seeds in an airtight container in a cool dry place. Properly stored seeds are viable for up to 5 years.