Growing Cucamelons

Last year, for the very first time, I started growing cucamelons. If you’ve never heard of them, they are related to cucumbers. They look like teeny-tiny watermelons and have a delightful citrusy crunch.

They are also known as Mexican sour gherkins and mouse melons. I bought my seeds from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds and you can also find them at Burpee and Johnny’s Selected Seeds.

I first heard about them from my friend and colleague Niki Jabbour, who lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Niki loves growing unusual vegetables and is to be credited for making me expand my horizons. Thanks, Niki!

Last year, I planted cucamelon seeds. I’d been warned they are slow to get growing but that once they do, stand back! I also discovered that the quail in our garden think cucamelon foliage is absolutely delicious. This meant I had to start some extra plants indoors. I also placed pruned branches around my planting in the garden to keep the quail away.

Long story short, I was so excited when the vines started producing! When I popped my first cucamelon in my mouth, I discovered two things. You can’t eat just one and the flavor is exactly what I’d been hearing about. It has a hint of lemon with a delightful crunch. It made me realize that growing cucamelons had definitely been a good idea.

Fast-forward to last fall: I was checking out Niki’s Instagram feed and noticed how she’d mentioned cucamelon tubers. Tubers? It turns out the plants form underground tubers. And Niki advised saving those tubers at the end of the season by placing them into a pot filled with lightly-moistened sterile potting mix, because if you can plant tubers instead of seeds the following spring, the plants will hit the ground running.

I only had two tubers underneath my plants, but I dutifully followed Niki’s advice, including storing them in a cool, dark place and occasionally moistening the potting soil. Recently, while potting up the geraniums I’d overwintered, I remembered to remove the cucamelon tubers from the pot, re-pot them and place them in a bright area of my kitchen until the danger of frost is past. Then they’re going into my garden.

As you can see from the photo to the right, each of the tubers have started growing fine roots which is really exciting. I can’t wait to see how they do this summer! Sooo, are you going to try your hand at growing cucamelons, too?