Armenian Melon-Flavored Cucumber: Description, Characteristics, and Reviews

Cucumbers

An unusual plant, not widely known: Tarra, snake melon, or Armenian cucumber. This melon, as its name suggests, is a hybrid of cucumber and melon. The result is an intriguing combination of both species. You can grow a hybrid in your own garden if you follow the care rules.

Characteristics of the variety

The plant has long vines, reaching up to 4 meters. It produces numerous large shoots, so it's important to monitor the hybrid's growth and pinch them promptly to prevent them from spreading. The fruits themselves are cylindrical, light-colored, and very large: up to half a meter in length. They must be picked promptly, otherwise they will turn yellow and lose their flavor. Inside, the light, crisp flesh tastes like cucumber and smells like melon. The skin is smooth, with a light silvery fuzz. Two varieties are often referred to as "Armenian cucumber": White Bogatyr and Silver Melon, which differ slightly in appearance.

How to Grow Armenian Cucumber

Despite its unusualness and novelty, the plant has no special requirements. The basic planting and care guidelines are the same as for any other plant. Snake melon can be grown outdoors or in a greenhouse, with roughly the same results. A greenhouse has one advantage: a more uniform climate and the ability to regulate it. Since the plant originates from warmer climates, it requires a comfortable growing temperature.

Snake melons can be grown indoors or outdoors. Unlike regular varieties, excessive humidity is not recommended: it's more likely to harm the plants than benefit them. The fruits should be picked from the bushes with the stems attached; otherwise, they will store poorly and spoil faster.

Interesting!

If you store ripe fruits in the refrigerator, they will retain their taste and aroma for a month after harvesting.

Seeds

Snake melon seeds lack a shell, which causes fermentation. When removing the seeds from the fruit, rinse them with clean water and dry them. Store them in a cool place in a tightly sealed paper container before planting. Disinfection is not necessary, as the solution could damage the shell-less structure. Germinate the seeds in the same way as regular cucumber seeds. It's best to plant them as seedlings rather than in the ground: this will avoid the risk of frost and ensure stable growth.

The optimal time to plant seeds for seedlings is the second half of April. The seeds should be buried deeply, about 5 centimeters apart. Water as needed, and ensure the plants receive sufficient light. The first shoots will appear within a week.

Interesting!

You can speed up the germination process by treating the seeds with a growth stimulant for several days. This will speed up the emergence of seedlings by a couple of days.

Planting in the ground

The seedlings can be transplanted to the mainland after the fourth pair of leaves appears. They can be planted in closed ground or under plastic in the second half of May, but for open ground, the weather dictates the best time to transplant. The air temperature should be around 25°C, and the soil should warm to 15°C. It's best to plant up to four plants per square meter to ensure the plants have ample space.

Interesting!

Crop rotation is essential, and this also applies to snake melon. Don't grow plants in the same bed for more than four years. Try to renew the soil and rotate the plants around the garden, alternating them with other crops.

The soil must be prepared in advance. Clear it of plant debris and fertilize it with minerals to provide the cucumbers with food. Superphosphate and organic matter are suitable. If you're growing the plant in a greenhouse, be sure to treat all surfaces, walls, and beams with a disinfectant, as they can harbor fungus. Light, fertile soil is ideal for growing snake melons. Before planting, it's recommended to fertilize it with humus and mix it with sand, adding half a kilogram per square meter.

Caring for Armenian cucumbers

The plants are easy to grow and require the same care as cucumbers or melons. The only significant difference is humidity. Snake melons thrive in dry climates, so it's best to monitor this level; it shouldn't exceed 50%. This variety grows best in warm, dry climates.

Water the plants Warm water is essential to prevent the roots from freezing and damaging them. It's best to water in the evening, directly at the roots. In the sun, moisture evaporates faster, making watering ineffective. Overwatering is harmful, as is underwatering. Keep the soil moist but not wet. At the first signs of wilting, yellowing leaves, or brown spots indicating nutrient deficiencies, add fertilizer to the watering. Regular watering is essential, so if you can't tend to the plants several times a week, set up an automatic watering system or mulch the soil. Mulching helps increase the soil's nutrient content, making it especially useful in mineral-poor soil.

Interesting!

Cucumbers can be planted much earlier in heated greenhouses. If you can maintain room temperatures above 25°C, plant them safely.

If you planted Armenian cucumbers in the ground and a frost hits immediately afterward, cover the crops with plastic. This will help retain heat. An alternative is mulching with organic or inorganic material. Monitor soil moisture: if the soil doesn't have access to air, rotting and the development of harmful microorganisms can begin. Regularly clear the beds of weeds and debris to ensure the plants can thrive.

Diseases and pests

Snake melon is a resilient hybrid, resistant to common cucumber diseases. Fungal infections can develop only if care is improper, if overwatering occurs, or if prolonged frosts weaken the plant's immune system. Regularly ventilate the area, maintain humidity levels, and water regularly—then you won't have to worry about diseases.

Armenian cucumbers can be attacked by pests such as spider mites, aphids, slugs, and mole crickets. Most pests can be controlled with insecticides. These should be applied during the early stages of growth, before fruiting, otherwise you'll risk a buildup of toxic substances that can be harmful. Once the first cucumbers appear, switch to biological products and folk remedies; these can also be effective. For example, an onion or garlic solution, ammonia, or ash with soap. A lime solution will help against aphids, and slugs can be controlled with hot red pepper diluted in water. All products should be sprayed from a spray bottle to ensure the active ingredient covers the largest possible area of the plant.

Application

Cucumbers are most often eaten fresh, especially young ones. When they reach maturity, they are more often prepared: canned, fried, or stewed. The skin is left on, as the cucumber is quite watery. For pickling and canning, cucumbers are divided into sections, as their large size prevents them from being packed whole into any single jar.

Despite the distinct melon aroma, the marinade for these cucumbers is usually salty. This is common practice in hot climates: even watermelons are eaten pickled there. Young melons are eaten fresh as a snack or in salads with tomatoes, herbs, and sour cream, added as a filling to flatbreads, or used as a side dish with meat dishes.

Reviews

Alexander, 39

I first saw these unusual cucumbers at my neighbor's and immediately decided to try them. They had a vibrant melon aroma, yet still tasted like cucumber. Very interesting. I asked for seeds and planted them in my garden the following season. Initially, I made the mistake of planting them in too cold soil. I didn't realize that this heat-loving variety usually grows in warmer climates. Fortunately, the harvest was salvaged, although it wasn't as impressive. I recommend growing them in a greenhouse: the climate there is more suitable.

Eduard, 56

I recommend growing these cucumbers only to those who have the space in their garden for them. Unlike regular cucumbers, these don't thrive in humid conditions; they grow better in dry climates. However, they can be grown alongside eggplants, which also love warmth and thrive in the same bed indoors. I grow snake melon occasionally, when I'm craving something exotic. I prepare the seeds myself by collecting and peeling the fruit.

Marina, 48

These cucumbers are a godsend for dieters. They smell like melon, so you can almost imagine eating something sweet, yet they have the same calories as regular cucumbers—around 10 per 100 grams. This variety makes delicious salads, a great way to add variety to your regular diet. I always fertilize them with superphosphate while they're growing; this makes the cucumbers sweeter and juicier. It's best to harvest them before they reach 20 centimeters (8 inches) tall; after that, the flavor fades.

The Armenian cucumber, or snake melon, is a vegetable uncommon in Russia, yet easy to grow in your own garden. The plant is easy to care for, ripens within two months, and produces fruit vigorously until frost. The fruits are juicy and large, each weighing up to a kilogram. However, it's best to pick them young, before they become tough and lose their flavor. Care instructions are the same as for other cucumber varieties. However, this vegetable doesn't like high humidity, so it's best to plant them separately or alongside eggplants, which also thrive in a warm, dry climate.