2. Consider the climate. Cucamelons are technically perennials but are grown as annual vegetables by most farmers. They need a long and warm growing season of between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. The soil temperatures should average between 75 and 85oF for good fruiting.
If you live in colder, northern climates you can still grow cucamelons but you’ll need to go through the extra effort of moving them to a warm and bright indoor area for the winter.
3. Start indoors. Regardless of the climate, it’s most efficient to start growing your plants indoors. The first 6 to 8 weeks are best done with indoor potting to avoid any weather-related incidents, pests, or physical harm. Hydroponics growth can work too (6) but normal potting is also fine. Planting one seed per pot, half an inch deep at room temperature is usually good enough. Once the plants are big and healthy enough, transplant them outdoors.
4. Give them ample sun exposure. Cucamelons are sun-loving plants so when you plant them outdoors make sure they’ll receive plenty of sunlight. Full southern exposure is best with 6 hours of sunlight being the bare minimum. Keep at least 12 inches of distance between each vine too – the more sun they can get, the better.
5. Give them something to climb on. Cucamelons are a vine plant so you’ll need to give them a support structure to grow on. Wire cages and trellis can work great, plus, they’ll help the vines and ivy-like leaves look spectacular too.
6. The soil is also important. Nutrition and good soil drainage are as important for cucamelons as they are for other fruit-baring plants. You should add quality compost or aged manure to the soil to maximize its properties. At least a 2-inch layer of compost into the top 6-8 inches of the soil is a must. Once the vines start growing ~2 months after their plantation, a regular 3-inch compost “side-dressing” every month should be all they need.
7. Water matters too. We did say that cucamelons are drought-resistant and that’s true. However, if you need a great yield, you’ll want to give your vines a steady supply of water. At least an inch of water per week is a must for the summer and at least twice that in especially dry periods.
Spreading 3 to 4 inches of mulch around each plant can also be helpful in warm, inland areas to help regulate the soil’s moisture and prevent weeds from invading the cucamelons’ space.
8. Keep an eye for pests even though they shouldn’t bother you too much. Like Northern Americans, pests also tend to ignore the cucamelon. That’s their loss, of course. Still, as with any other plant, keep an eye for insect or animal pests – you never know.
9. Manage the vines’ growth. As with any other viny plant, cucamelons can grow in pretty peculiar directions. You can help control them by preemptively wrapping the vines around the trellis.
10. When to harvest? Cucamelon fruits are typically harvested when they reach a nice, plump size, as big as a large grape. This usually happens 2 or 3 weeks after pollination. If you harvest them regularly, they should keep growing for a while – usually from early July to mid-November. Harvesting a few fruits before they reach full size will even “encourage” the plant to increase its fruiting throughout the rest of the season.
11. Don’t forget at least a minimal pruning. We weren’t lying when we said that cucamelons don’t need much pruning. As all vines, however, they’ll require at least a bit of trimming.
What can you use your cucamelons for?
Cucamelons can be eaten like any other fruit. If you want to get creative, however, you can also add them to stir-fries and in many different salads and salsas. They also work great with olives and sliced peppers with a touch of extra-virgin olive oil.
Or, you can even pickle them, the way you would with cucumbers. They taste best if you pre-salt them before you pickle them.
Or, maybe you’ll think of another unique recipe? Either way, these deliciously sour and healthy fruits can certainly make a unique addition to North American cuisine.