Cucamelon

[peanut]

I am growing a cucamelon for the first time, it was sowed in early May and planted out this week. It is only about 3 inches high. Having had a look on online I'm not sure it is going to produce anything this year. Does anyone else grow them?

[Ms-T]

I grew one a few years ago in the g/h it climed every where. then found out i did not like them.

[greenishfing]

I grew them a few years ago. Mine also tried to take over the greenhouse after a slow start but I found that I didn't like them too. Now I grow cucumbers and melons which I like but no cucamelons.

[ameno]

I've grown them a couple times before. Like other small-seeded cucurbits, they are pretty slow to get going, so really want sowing some time in March, but once they do get going they grow rampant and quickly.

They need full sun. I tried to grow them in partial shade once and although they produce masses of leaves, they only gave three fruit between four plants. Although even in the sun, the crop isn't exactly amazing. They produce a large number, but since each one is only grape-sized, and overall weight is low.

[Snadger]

I grew one a few years ago in the g/h it climed every where. then found out i did not like them.

......Ditto!

[Mr Bones]

......Ditto!

Double ditto...

[peanut]

I'm not feeling the love for Cucamelons folks. I was hoping they'd be nice in a G&T.

[OakR]

I'm not feeling the love for Cucamelons folks. I was hoping they'd be nice in a G&T.

I think they are a bit marmite....people seem to love them or hate them. My kids like them, as do I, but most people I know don't really like them,

I've got 2 plants this year, growing outside and also planted out this week.

Anyway, like all thing you try to grow, give them a go, and if you like them keep them going, if you don't, plenty more fish in the sea! I've not tried them with gin, but then again I don't like gin!

[greenishfing]

Now I 've had an idea. Freeze them and use as interesting ice cubes. I sometimes do this with grapes when I have a glut.

[Contadino]

I used to grow them every year when I lived in Italy. They work as a way to cleanse your palate between courses. I'm not sure how else they'd work. Dicing up and lobbing in a salad with dressing would be pretty gross.

In Italy we'd dig a big hole and fill it with chopped up prickly pear leaves, and plant them on top. Once the roots hit the leaves the plants would double in size every 2 days.

[peanut]

Well, last year I didn't get any fruit, sowed too late only one made it but it never got going. This year I have 3 plants and they started fruiting a week ago, only 3 fruit so far, but they're just taking off.
I really like them, tiny little limey cucumbers! Really pleased I gave them a go.

[Babru]

My friend gave me a plant last year which I put in a pot the greenhouse. Big sprawling plant, but it self supports, so no work required other than watering and feeding. I liked them, and may grow a pot again in the future. Two relatives who adore cucumbers absolutely loved them. They're not really salad material, more eat as you pick.