Melothria scabra is an exotic plant that produces unusual-looking, small, striped cucumbers. The roots of this plant, native to hot Africa, are also edible. The bush itself has a decorative appearance and will enhance any garden with its lush vines. Melothria has already earned a reputation as an easy-to-grow annual. However, there are still some peculiarities of the variety and its cultivation that are important to consider.
General description
Melothria is a typical member of the pumpkin family. It is native to Africa and Central America. Two varieties, Kolibri and Shapito, are included in the Russian State Register of Breeding Achievements. Due to its earlier inclusion in the register (in 2004), Kolibri is more popular among gardeners. Shapito is a new variety, added to the register in 2019. Both varieties are intended for cultivation in garden plots, homesteads, and small farms. According to the breeder, cultivation is possible in all climate zones.
You may be interested in:Biological features
The plant is a fast-growing annual vine. The vines can reach lengths of over 3 meters. The leaf blades are triangular, with pointed tips. The leaf surface is pubescent and rough to the touch, hence the name, Melothria scabra. During flowering, the bush is covered with small, yellow, funnel-shaped flowers. The flowering pattern is mixed: the female flowers are solitary, while the male flowers form in axillary clusters.
This vine-like shrub quickly gains foliage. The vines grow vigorously both in length and width. This characteristic makes it suitable for vertical gardening. Thanks to its dense foliage and tenacious tendrils, supports are quickly covered with greenery. The aggressive vegetative growth pattern suggests the absence of adjacent herbaceous plants.
Double harvest
Fruiting begins 2-3 weeks after planting a 30-day-old plant. The fruits are cucumbers 1.5-3 cm long, olive-shaped and mini-watermelon-colored. Unofficial names for these fruits include African cucumber and Mexican gherkin. The flesh tastes like regular cucumbers. However, the sourness of the peel gives it a hint of kale. The flavor of overripe and overripe vegetables is significantly reduced. Mini-watermelons should be harvested slightly underripe, not until they become soft.
These unusual cucumbers are edible and suitable for eating fresh from the bush. This exotic harvest looks beautiful pickled (marinated) with other vegetables. Housewives love adding these striped cucumbers to jars of cherry tomatoes or garnishing prepared meat and fish dishes with them.
The "rough" variety produces a high yield. The fruiting period lasts until the first frost. A single bush can yield over 5 kg of fruit per season. Additionally, at the end of the season, the melothria produces another crop—an edible root vegetable. At the end of the fruiting period, a white, fleshy tuber forms at the end of the thin root system. Its weight can reach 800-1000 grams. The tubers taste more like a sweet radish with hints of cucumber.
Agricultural technology
Melothria is a heat-loving plant. It is best grown from seedlings. In regions with early and warm summers, it is possible to sow the seeds directly into the ground. Growing mini cucumbers is similar to growing pumpkins.
Growing seedlings
It's recommended to sow seeds 30-35 days before transplanting. Thirty-day-old seedlings are already established bushes with several true leaves, ready for a new location. Calculate the transplanting time based on the local climate. For example, in the central part of the country, warm weather suitable for pumpkins arrives in the second ten days of June. In the Urals and Siberia, it's best to wait until the 20th of June before planting. In the south of the country, Melothria seedlings can be planted in late May.
Soil with a neutral pH, a loose structure, and a rich composition is suitable for sowing. It's best to sow the seeds directly into individual containers filled with moistened potting soil. Place the pots in a warm location. To speed up germination, the soil surface can be covered with glass or plastic. In this case, the first sprouts will appear in 3-4 days. Care for the seedlings consists of watering as needed. To prevent the plants from becoming entangled, space them apart. Make sure to provide drainage holes in the pots. Excess moisture can cause root diseases. The optimal diameter of the holes is about the diameter of a pencil. Seedlings are ready for transplanting at 25-30 days old.
Transplantation into the ground
The African beauty needs a wind-free location. Melothria thrives in sun and partial shade. The soil should be dug to the depth of a spade, cleared of weeds, and fertilized. Well-rotted manure and compost are suitable for pumpkins. It's best to build a support for the climbing vine immediately to avoid damaging the delicate roots of the seedlings. Special structures or the walls of outbuildings, verandas, gazebos, and fences make excellent trellises.
According to crop rotation rules, Melothria should not be planted after nightshades, strawberries, and cucurbits. Common pathogens may reactivate after wintering and attack young plants. To ensure a productive harvest, cucumbers should be spaced at least 50 cm apart. When planting for ornamental purposes, such as as a hedge, the spacing is reduced to 30 cm.
You may be interested in:The first 7-10 days after transplanting into the ground, the plants adapt to the new conditions. During this time, they are especially susceptible to adverse effects. A temporary plastic cover will help protect them from subsequent frosts or low temperatures. You can protect the melothria from the scorching sun with netting stretched over the plantings or newspaper covers.
Plant care
Care for mature plants consists of watering, weeding, and fertilizing as needed. Melothria does not tolerate excess moisture, so water it whenever the soil dries out. To maintain aeration, it is recommended to loosen the soil the day after watering. Mulching can be used instead of loosening. Mown, dried grass can be spread around the roots of the Melothria as mulch. Some gardeners use cardboard or dark spunbond for this purpose. Mulching serves several purposes simultaneously:
- prevents weed growth;
- will protect plant roots from cold, heat and drying out;
- The gradual decomposition of organic mulch serves as an additional source of nutrients.
If soils are well-amended before planting, no additional fertilizers are required. However, if the soil is depleted by previous crops, the following fertilizer application schedule is recommended:
- 5-7 days after transplantation – nitrogenous compounds;
- 10-14 days after the first feeding – fertilizers with a high content of phosphorus and potassium;
- 14-18 days after the second feeding, repeat the application of phosphorus-potassium compounds.
Advantages and disadvantages
According to gardeners, the "mouse watermelon" has the following advantages:
- quickly begins to bear fruit;
- the fruits have an interesting shape and color;
- the liana quickly grows into a dense green wall;
- unusual taste of vegetables;
- versatility of fruit use;
- easy to care for;
- rarely affected by diseases.
You may be interested in:Gardeners note the invasive nature of the melothria plant as a drawback. Avoid growing African cucumbers in the same garden bed with regular pumpkins. Within a few weeks, the melothria vines will overtake all other crops.
Diseases and pests
Melothria has strong immunity to cucumber diseases. However, excess moisture can lead to fruit and root rot. It is also susceptible to powdery mildew. As a preventative measure, treat the plants with a solution of laundry soap every 7-10 days. Ornamental vines whose fruit are not intended for edibility can be sprayed with special chemicals.
Slugs are a potential pest for this crop. Growing vegetables spread out is a particular danger. Pests readily devour the fragrant mini cucumbers. You can repel insects by scattering black pepper along the edges of the beds or by spreading young stinging nettles around the perimeter. Gardeners note that stinging nettles, planted in a sunny spot and climbing along a support, are rarely attacked by pests.
Reviews
Ekaterina Vasilievna, Sverdlovsk region
I've been growing Melothria scabra for several years now. I plant seedlings and in the ground at the same time as other cucurbits. My cucumber beds are located in partial shade, under the canopy of apple and pear trees. They prefer this location. To prevent the African cucumber bush from growing into a huge mound of greenery, I pinch off the growing point at 5-6 leaves. I do the same with side shoots. The Melothria produces a harvest every year, regardless of the weather. I don't provide support; fruit trees serve as a trellis. I use the vegetables for pickling assorted vegetables for the winter. My granddaughter eats them fresh. No one else in the family appreciates the taste of African cucumbers.
Polina, Moscow region
I bought melothria seeds on the seller's recommendation, along with some regular cucumber seeds. I made a big mistake: I planted it in the same bed with regular cucumbers. After three weeks, I had to pull this African plant out, otherwise there would have been no cucumber harvest. Next year, I'll give it a separate spot.
This exotic African plant has thrived in the vast expanses of Russia. Even a novice can try growing Melothria in their garden as an experiment. A healthy and well-maintained Melothria looks very impressive in landscape design. In the second half of summer, when the tops of other cucurbits wither and fade, this beautiful vine retains its appeal.
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