My achocha is fruiting at last!

[StephenH]

This year, for the first time, I tried growing achocha, a member of the gourd family, so related to marrows, pumpkins, etc. I planted out three plants in the spring, but only one survived, probably because I planted them out too soon. It's a climber, with pea-like tendrils, so I grew it up a tripod with netting round it. It grew reasonably vigorously, thugh not as rampantly as some descriptions suggested, and has been producing flowers for some time - tiny, insignificant ones, unlike the big trumpets of most gourds - but no fruit, and I was about to give up on it. I wondered if maybe it was not self-fertile, and you had to have at least two to get any fruit, but then, in the last week or so, it's suddenly produced lots of fruit, in the 'armpits'. They're quite small at the moment, so I'll let them grow a bit, and it's almost too late, because we'll have the first frost soon.
Has anyone else grown them, and do they always fruit late?

[bearded bloke]

Sorry can't comment as not tried that variety.But would like to see a picture if you have one

[Two_Sheds]

I've got deja vu: http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...uit_60658.html

and here's an earlier one that tells some success stories: http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...cha_39327.html

[zazen999]

My only recommendation - eat them small. But well done, they usually sit there and then you have more fruit than you ever thought - and because you think 'I'll leave them a bit' - more seeds than you ever thought.

[StephenH]

Oh, how embarrassing - I'd forgotten all about that earlier thread!
Anyway, thanks for the replies, all.

[StephenH]

On the older thread, Piskieinboots wrote:

Give it a go, it's fun - but a word of warning, it (the plant) does look - erm, illegal SD brought the Police dogs around to ensure it was cosher

Yes, I noticed the slightly unsettling resemblance of the leaves to marijuana! (Not that I've ever grown marijuana, you understand, honest, officer!)