CUCAMELON GROWING GUIDE: Planting, Harvesting & Saving Seeds

[@SowArizona]

And now I'm trying to rationalize growing these little cuties in my garden, even though I'm completely out of space! Eeeekkkk - I must have them!

[@Sisteryoda1440]

I was thinking the same thing! 😂

[@SowArizona]

@pollytiks3885 it's the plant addiction talking 🤣

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

Always room for one more!

[@SowArizona]

@@GrowingInTheGarden those are dangerous words!!

[@bl8388]

Grow them on your house! When neighbors complain grow them on their houses, too!

[@thegonzalezs4953]

And think now , we use to chop them back home in Mexico , just because is considered a weed there , but as a kid I use to pick them and played with them like little watermelons 😊

[@michelleharris7155]

I tried them last year and only started getting some to pick in October. I’m going to start some inside tonight.

[@Sisteryoda1440]

Thank you for giving us so many options for hot weather crops!

[@sharisiso3996]

Ok now I know need to move them to a big trellis 😊Thank you great information

[@bellasaleema160]

I NEEDED THIS VIDEO JUST PLANTED FOUR

[@kimmiecat420]

Looks like a watermelon more than a grape lol

[@mrslisawiebe]

I had no idea about the tuber, how interesting! We love cucamelons.

[@Chemistry727]

Adding these this year thank you!

[@debbiemann1265]

I’ve wanted to grow these for several years now and still haven’t. Maybe this year. Thanks for sharing

[@hazratkhan9232]

Angela videos is a great inspiration and i planted blood red citrus due to these videos all of them are growing very well.i have a busy schedule but i give time to these twice in a week even some time i postpon surgeries in my clinic to care these plants.its a fun and an amazing relaxation and pleasure.Thank you Angela you are my gardner mantor a great respect for you from pakistan from my side.

[@nikkipowers1271]

Growing for the first time from a friend who sold me a small plant. This thing took off and would cling to anything; so cute but I didn't know when to harvest. Glad I watched your video when I did so it isn't too late. I think it will take my family a little bit to get used to the flavor, but I have adventurous taste buds! Thank you for a video on such a niche vegetable!

[@Nicole-ge4vg]

What a fun crop to grow! I'm gonna try this! Hopefully I can find some starts!

[@Jackie-DillC]

I'm growing cucamelons for the first time in Norfolk, UK and it seems to be going surprisingly well. Thanks to you I now know what I should be looking for when they are ready to pick 🙂👍

[@341acosta]

Living in Montreal Quebec,we have a short summer season ,last year was exceptionally hot,tropical hot ,so our production was generous,from july to october.I will try drying this summer’s seeds for next year.Thank you for the tip.Have a good harvest season.

[@HTaylor-no2oc]

This is SO cool!

[@chantaltulliez8066]

Growing very well here in subtropical Australia...they are prolific growers as they sprout everywhere on their own!!!! they are cute and firm to eat...mine self grew in my Tahitian lime tree...

[@ganecesands3619]

I bought some flower pots at an estate sale 2 years ago. These plants came up in the soil, & I had never heard of these plants before. So far this year, none have come up. They grew nicely on my chain link fence.

[@americanajooma4457]

I wish my kids liked them! But glad your family enjoys them. They are fun to grow.

[@daniandjoanna]

Oh no! we have literally no space for those...must resist the urge to buy more seeds 😅🌱

[@cynthiamartinez5884]

I've grown them once a couple of years ago in a container but they didn't very big, not sure why. My summers are hit with lots of 90s and 100s. I already have some ready to plant that I winter sowed. I'll try it in the ground this year.

[@MichaelRoberts-ru1rw]

Really clear & helpful. Thank you!

[@heathermatsumoto]

Thank you for this great video , very helpful information. I have tried to grow cucamelons in Australia but my garden is in part shade facing north east .

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

They do like sunlight.

[@TheWardKids284]

i put seeds in the garden about 6 weeks ago and the sprout has been hanging out at an inch or so tall for almost 2 weeks. i am really hoping it can get going before it gets too hot ( i'm also in mesa). if they don't take off, i will definitely be starting some inside this summer.

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

I hope so too! Keep it alive over the summer and when monsoons come it will take off!

[@rocksolidwealth]

Keeping it alive in the summer is a tall task sometimes. Let's hope this summer is not as hot as last.

[@connorsanchez9585]

I have several vines I’ve been growing since spring this year. I was able to get them to survive the summer heat and now the leaves are getting much bigger. Hoping to see fruits soon but I haven’t gotten anything yet.

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

Hopefully soon!

[@mySustainableStories]

I should try them, I'm in NW PHX. I'm wondering who we have in common, in the gardening world.

[@johndeere-yk6db]

Do not know how well they grow here but I would like to try them. First I've even heard of these. I'm in northern Pennaylvania. Our new grow zone is 7. Another question is how well do they clean up in late fall when your putting the garden to rest?

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

Easy clean up. Pull the vines down. I know many gardeners in cooler zones grow them.

[@gone4days956]

Angela, how many plants would you suggest for a 5 or 7 gal container? Thanks

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

One

[@sappycricket]

Hi Angela! Another great video. Thank you! In this video you show a laminated spiral binded planting chart. Is this one of yours? I bought your calendar and love it. However, it's big and not so outdoor friendly. Do you sell the one in the video or have a resource for it by chance? I, too, am in AZ 9b and this would be most helpful. Appreciate you and all the help, tips, tricks, experience, and classes you offer!

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

Yes, I sell it in my shop - so nice to be able to take it out to the garden with me! growinginthegarden.bigcartel.com/products

[@sappycricket]

@@GrowingInTheGarden I found it yesterday and ordered!! Thank you! 😍

[@scottlangley6148]

Are cucamelon self pollinator

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

Each plant has male/female blossoms so you only need one plant.

[@jaemhair]

How long do you leave them in the water to ferment?

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

I put them in the fridge and keep them in the water.

[@jaemhair]

@GrowingInTheGarden oh ok. how long do you leave them in the water in the fridge? A few days or a week? I know nothing about fermentation lol🙃

[@ooulalah4333]

Can these be pickled nicely?

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

yes

[@tropicalfishlover]

I have these in my greenhouse here in Sweden. The vines grow quickly and there are lots of tiny flowers, but they don´t develop into fruits!? I don´t have many insects in my greenhouse, maybe I should pollinate them by hand? Looking at the flowers they seems to be females only?

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

There are male and female flowers (both tiny!) you may need to hand pollinate.

[@angelahaun7498]

Once tiny fruits appear on the vine … about how long does it take for the fruit to be ready to harvest?

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

usually a week or two

[@myrmecofourmis]

The slugs get the plants before they have a chance to grow here... only one survivor. Are they self compatible or do I need multiple plants?

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

Should be enough.

[@pamelahall4205]

Do you ever hold classes in your own garden? Live in QC and want to learn. Pam

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

I'm teaching a free class tonight at Mesa Public Library - no registration required, here's the link for more info: events.mesalibrary.org/event/summer-gardening-arizona-111910?mc_cid=e9eb4f6fce&mc_eid=fe430608c2

[@beckyper]

Can they handle a lot of rain?

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

Probably would love it. They like humidity.

[@freelantzphoto]

I’m in Gilbert and wondering if there are transplants to purchase somewhere? I never heard about these until last October I ate a salad in Utah with some. ❤️

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

I've seen some at Arizona Worm Farm

[@kutiefarms]

At Summer Winds Nursery they have them every year. They are transplants from Villardi Gardens.

[@freelantzphoto]

Thank you, one day I’ll make the trek out there ❤

[@marcoradice1981]

distance between plants? Thank you

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

I space about a foot apart.

[@tressmith8842]

Anybody have companion plant options for cucamelons?

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

I plant zinnias near by for the pollinators.

[@bonecow]

Probably similar to cucumber companion plants, since they are the same family

[@MsJrivas]

I’ve tried twice directly into the ground. They’ve never germinate. I’m in Glendale Arizona.

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

They can be tough to get going. I have the best luck starting them indoors.

[@dsheppsc]

Where do you find cucamelons?

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

You can get seeds online or starts in nurseries. Arizona Worm Farm had some transplants.

[@dsheppsc]

Who do you like to order from? I'm 63 and live in South Carolina and have never heard of cucamelons.😊

[@ainegriffin8166]

Mine grew last year but none of the fruit sized up they just withered away

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

Could have been a pollination issue.

[@ainegriffin8166]

@@GrowingInTheGarden that’s what I was thinking. I have plans to plant loads of flowers in between everything this year.

[@Jacqueline-nk1pt]

I planted a bunch of seeds 17 days ago and nothing has germinated.

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

Shoot. I'd try again if they haven't come up in a few days.

[@leelollar4132]

I took a bite of what looks like cucomelon and it was bitter.

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

They can be bitter just like cucumbers.

[@mzerochannel]

Don't worry i came here cause of a short and i though it was some mini watermelon i can have as snacks but nope

[@zouzou8970]

My cucamelons are so slooow to grow it is insane 🫤 two months after transplanting they are still two tiny plants. It's nice and hot, watered regularly, fertilized. Meanwhile 2 armenian cucumbers sown at the same time practically took over half of the garden 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

They love it warm - not super hot- when temps moderate they will take off! Keep them alive until then.

[@zouzou8970]

​@@GrowingInTheGarden Thanks so much, yes this might have been the problem, we had a very long heatwave. I am also under the impression they didn't appreciate being transplanted, but in fact they were also slow to germinate. Just extraordinarily slow all around.