Name: Cucumber 'Mouse Melon'
Brand: Le potager ornemental de Catherine
SKU: POC-SEMENCES
Price: 4.19 CAD
Availability: InStock

Sale Sold out

Open-pollinated seeds Cucurbitaceae

cucumber

Le potager ornemental de Catherine

Melothria scabra

From seed to harvest

Common nameCucamelon

FamilyCucurbitaceae

GenusMelothria

Speciesscabra

CultivarMouse Melon

TypeOpen-pollinated seeds

Botanical nameMelothria scabra

Quantity per packet±60 seeds

Cucumber 'Mouse Melon' belongs to Melothria scabra. Small cucamelon measuring 3 cm (1.2 in) that looks like a watermelon. Good flavour when harvested young at 1.5 to 2 cm (0.6 to 0.8 in). Eat raw or slow-cooked as a confit. The climbing plants reach 1.50 m (4.9 ft.). Also called mouse melon, this cucamelon bears the names Mexican cucumber and Gherkin cucumber; both refer to cucamelon. The stated maturity period is 80 days. Winner in 2021. These characteristics help you choose its position in the garden and compare this selection with other cultivars in the same group.

Choose a growing location that receives full sun. Rich, well-drained soil. Start seeds indoors 5 to 10 weeks before the last frost. Transplant when the temperature is above 10 °C (50 °F). Sow the seeds at a depth of 1 cm (0.4 in). Leave 30 cm (11.8 in) between plants. In Quebec, wait for the soil and nights to warm before planting out; the last frost date varies by location. Gradually get the plants started indoors accustomed to outdoor wind and direct sunlight before you plant them out in the garden.

Harvest cucamelon fruit when its texture suits the intended use, before it becomes too large and full of seeds. Also look beneath the leaves, where fruit may remain hidden. Regular picking helps you follow production and quickly spot damaged fruit. Cut the fruit stem without pulling on the plant's stems. If you choose a trellis, match its strength to the plant and leave space to move around and water. Mulch and watering at the base limit prolonged fruit contact with damp soil while making row maintenance easier. Keep these vegetable seeds dry until the next sowing.

Light and life cycle

In the garden

Exposure: Full sun
Life cycle: Annual

Sowing and germination

Sowing guide

Sowing & germination

Sowing depth

1cm (0.39 in)

Spacing / density

30 cm (11.8 in)

Sowing period

Start seeds indoors 5 to 10 weeks before the last frost.

Propagation

Seed sowing

Growing method

Cucumber 'Mouse Melon'. Before opening the packet, prepare the seed-starting supplies and this crop's future growing site. A clean surface, suitable soil and a label prevent unnecessary handling once the cucamelon seeds are already in place. Keep the packet dry so that the instructions specific to the seed lot remain available. Small cucamelon measuring 3 cm (1.2 in) that looks like a watermelon. Good flavour when harvested young at 1.5 to 2 cm (0.6 to 0.8 in). Eat raw or slow-cooked as a confit. The plants climb to 1.50 metre (4.9 ft). It is also called Mouse Melon, Mexican cucamelon or Gherkin cucamelon. Choose a location in full sun. Prepare rich, well-drained soil. Plan indoor seed starting 5 to 10 weeks before the last frost. Transplant when the temperature is above 10°C (50 °F). The indicated sowing depth is 1 cm (0.4 in). cucamelon plants and cucamelons like a warm planting site protected from frost. Keep the roots intact when transplanting a plant started indoors. Sowing too early in cold soil slows establishment. Protection against insects must respect the cultivar's need for pollination; an absence of fruit beneath netting may be a reason to remove that protection.

Soil and care

Soil & care

Moisture

Even moisture without saturation

Care level

Moderate

Watering

Cucumber 'Mouse Melon'. Check moisture in the root zone before deciding whether to water. Rainfall, wind conditions and the exposure of the container all influence how frequently you need to provide water. Prepare rich, well-drained soil. cucamelon plants need consistent moisture during fruit enlargement. Watering at the base wets the roots without unnecessarily keeping foliage damp. Avoid deep hoeing, as roots near the surface are easily injured.

Soil type

Cucumber 'Mouse Melon'. The soil must allow roots to receive water and then let excess water drain away. Prepare the soil when it is no longer waterlogged, avoiding working it while excessively wet, and first correct any problems with compaction or standing water. Prepare rich, well-drained soil. cucamelon plants need consistent moisture during fruit enlargement. Watering at the base wets the roots without unnecessarily keeping foliage damp. Avoid deep hoeing, as roots near the surface are easily injured.

Fertilization

Cucumber 'Mouse Melon'. Adjust feeding to the actual fertility of the soil or the nutrients already in the growing mix. Soil that is already fertile does not automatically require another application. Follow the instructions provided for the fertilizer you have chosen, and avoid adding further fertilizer to a plant whose roots are already struggling because the soil drains poorly. Prepare rich, well-drained soil. cucamelon plants need consistent moisture during fruit enlargement. Watering at the base wets the roots without unnecessarily keeping foliage damp.

Seasonal care

Cucumber 'Mouse Melon'. Early in the growing period, check emergence and the condition of young roots before changing care. Thin the seedlings, transplant them and put supports in place at the stage when the young plants can still be handled carefully without unnecessary disturbance. Throughout the growing season, observe the plant after rainfall, during windy periods and following episodes of hot weather. Remove genuinely diseased parts and keep tools clean. At the end of the growing period, sort the debris, clean containers and store remaining seeds in a dry place. Small cucamelon measuring 3 cm (1.2 in) that looks like a watermelon. Good flavour when harvested young at 1.5 to 2 cm (0.6 to 0.8 in). Eat raw or slow-cooked as a confit. The plants climb to 1.50 metre (4.9 ft). It is also called Mouse Melon, Mexican cucamelon or Gherkin cucamelon. Choose a location in full sun. Prepare rich, well-drained soil. Plan indoor seed starting 5 to 10 weeks before the last frost. Transplant when the temperature is above 10°C (50 °F). The indicated sowing depth is 1 cm (0.4 in). cucamelon plants and cucamelons like a warm planting site protected from frost. Keep the roots intact when transplanting a plant started indoors. Sowing too early in cold soil slows establishment.

Growing in containers

Container growing

Cucumber 'Mouse Melon'. When growing in a container, consider the available root space, the drainage and the access to light as a whole. Choose a stable pot with clear drainage holes and a growing mix intended for containers. A decorative planter without a drainage outlet should hold an inner pot with drainage holes. Keep the container accessible so that you can check the growing medium rather than watering without inspection. Small cucamelon measuring 3 cm (1.2 in) that looks like a watermelon. Good flavour when harvested young at 1.5 to 2 cm (0.6 to 0.8 in). Eat raw or slow-cooked as a confit. The plants climb to 1.50 metre (4.9 ft). It is also called Mouse Melon, Mexican cucamelon or Gherkin cucamelon. Choose a location in full sun. Prepare rich, well-drained soil. Plan indoor seed starting 5 to 10 weeks before the last frost. Transplant when the temperature is above 10°C (50 °F). The indicated sowing depth is 1 cm (0.4 in). A trellis frees up ground space and makes fruit more visible, while growing on the ground requires a pathway around the stems. Install support before the roots and tendrils occupy the entire area.

Growth and harvest

Size, flowering & harvest

Growth habit

Climbing

Edible parts

Fruit picked at the recommended size for tender flesh

Fruiting

Cucumber 'Mouse Melon'. To follow the development of the harvest, observe several plants and compare the different stages that they have reached. A stated date does not replace observing the texture, colour and quality of the part to be harvested. Small cucamelon measuring 3 cm (1.2 in) that looks like a watermelon. Good flavour when harvested young at 1.5 to 2 cm (0.6 to 0.8 in).

Harvest

The timing of the harvest varies with the weather conditions and the date on which the seeds were sown. Harvest Cucumber 'Mouse Melon' when the edible parts have the size, colour or texture expected for the variety. Harvest with clean hands and use a clean tool when stems resist. Harvesting regularly often helps you enjoy a crop with more consistent quality from one picking to the next. Discard damaged parts and promptly use the most delicate harvests.

Garden companions

Garden associations

Companion plants & uses

Companion plants

Cucumber 'Mouse Melon'. Here, companion plants are chosen to share a growing site and simplify care. Position tall plants where they will not deprive their neighbours of the light they need. No arrangement of companion plants can, on its own, guarantee that the crop will be protected from pests. Small cucamelon measuring 3 cm (1.2 in) that looks like a watermelon. Good flavour when harvested young at 1.5 to 2 cm (0.6 to 0.8 in). Eat raw or slow-cooked as a confit. The plants climb to 1.50 metre (4.9 ft).

Garden use

Cucumber 'Mouse Melon'. Prepare the location around the plant's mature shape and the access needed for care. Before you plant, identify the parts of the growing area that will be shaded by a fence or by other crops. An open space beside the foliage makes observation and care easier. Install watering equipment before the stems make the area difficult to reach. Small cucamelon measuring 3 cm (1.2 in) that looks like a watermelon. Good flavour when harvested young at 1.5 to 2 cm (0.6 to 0.8 in). Eat raw or slow-cooked as a confit. The plants climb to 1.50 metre (4.9 ft). It is also called Mouse Melon, Mexican cucamelon or Gherkin cucamelon. Growing cucamelon plants vertically turns a trellis into productive space and keeps the fruit at observation height. Position this structure without shading plants that need full sun. Compare harvest sizes within a clearly labelled collection. Keep access to both sides of the support and plan irrigation before the foliage covers it. A trellis frees up ground space and makes fruit more visible, while growing on the ground requires a pathway around the stems.

Recipe and storage

Recipe idea

From garden to table

Cucumber 'Mouse Melon'. Prepare a cucamelon salad with a little plain yogurt or oil and an herb of your choice. Wash the fruits, remove the ends and cut into pieces or slices. Small cucamelons can be cut in half. Keep the skin when its texture is suitable and remove seeds that have become too firm in older fruits. Mix the salad just before serving to preserve its crispness. An unseasoned portion lets you compare flavours among cultivars harvested at the same stage. Refrigerate leftovers and use damaged fruits promptly. For pickling, fruits that are consistent in size make it easier to prepare the containers. However, a recipe intended to be eaten straight away does not guarantee that it will keep for long. If you would like jars that remain stable at room temperature, follow a proven canning method, using an acidity level and processing treatment suited to the recipe. Pick fruits at a size suited to the cultivar and your intended use, before the seeds and skin become too tough.

Frequently asked questions

When should you sow Cucumber 'Mouse Melon' seeds in Quebec?

Cucumber 'Mouse Melon'. Prepare for sowing according to the instructions for the plant and seed lot. A label showing the name and date helps you track emergence without confusing cultivars. Small cucamelon measuring 3 cm (1.2 in) that looks like a watermelon. Good flavour when harvested young at 1.5 to 2 cm (0.6 to 0.8 in). Eat raw or slow-cooked as a confit. The plants climb to 1.50 metre (4.9 ft). It is also called Mouse Melon, Mexican cucamelon or Gherkin cucamelon. Choose a location in full sun. Prepare rich, well-drained soil. Plan indoor seed starting 5 to 10 weeks before the last frost.

How much space should you allow for Cucumber 'Mouse Melon'?

Cucumber 'Mouse Melon'. The available space should match the plant's growth, light needs and the access required for care. Account for the shade cast by neighbouring plants once their foliage has developed. Small cucamelon measuring 3 cm (1.2 in) that looks like a watermelon. Good flavour when harvested young at 1.5 to 2 cm (0.6 to 0.8 in). Eat raw or slow-cooked as a confit. The plants climb to 1.50 metre (4.9 ft). It is also called Mouse Melon, Mexican cucamelon or Gherkin cucamelon. A trellis frees up ground space and makes fruit more visible, while growing on the ground requires a pathway around the stems.

How should you adjust watering for Cucumber 'Mouse Melon'?

Cucumber 'Mouse Melon'. Decide whether to water after checking moisture near the roots. The surface of the growing mix may look dry while the root ball remains moist. Small cucamelon measuring 3 cm (1.2 in) that looks like a watermelon. Good flavour when harvested young at 1.5 to 2 cm (0.6 to 0.8 in). Eat raw or slow-cooked as a confit. The plants climb to 1.50 metre (4.9 ft). It is also called Mouse Melon, Mexican cucamelon or Gherkin cucamelon. cucamelon plants need consistent moisture during fruit enlargement. Watering at the base wets the roots without unnecessarily keeping foliage damp.

What precautions should you take when growing Cucumber 'Mouse Melon' in a container?

Cucumber 'Mouse Melon'. Container growing requires a stable container with drainage and easy access for care. A planter should not remain saturated after rain or after every watering. Small cucamelon measuring 3 cm (1.2 in) that looks like a watermelon. Good flavour when harvested young at 1.5 to 2 cm (0.6 to 0.8 in). Eat raw or slow-cooked as a confit. The plants climb to 1.50 metre (4.9 ft). It is also called Mouse Melon, Mexican cucamelon or Gherkin cucamelon. A trellis frees up ground space and makes fruit more visible, while growing on the ground requires a pathway around the stems.

What signs should you look for when harvesting Cucumber 'Mouse Melon'?

Cucumber 'Mouse Melon'. Assess the right moment using the signs specific to the plant and its intended use. Follow several harvests or flowering periods to recognize the stage that suits your garden. Small cucamelon measuring 3 cm (1.2 in) that looks like a watermelon. Good flavour when harvested young at 1.5 to 2 cm (0.6 to 0.8 in). Eat raw or slow-cooked as a confit. The plants climb to 1.50 metre (4.9 ft). It is also called Mouse Melon, Mexican cucamelon or Gherkin cucamelon. Pick fruits at a size suited to the cultivar and your intended use, before the seeds and skin become too tough.