Mexican Sour Gherkin
Melothria scabra
Certified Organic
When a vegetable is as adorable as Mexican Sour Gherkins, cute nicknames pop up as plentifully as fruits on a vine. Also called Cucamelon and Sanditas (Spanish for little watermelon), Gherkins are most charmingly known as Mouse Melons. Neither a cucumber nor a melon, Mouse Melons are in a league and a genus of their own. Just about the right size for a mouse meal, humans can eat these cute fruits in single bites. Like their tangy burst of flavor? There's always more of this high-yielding treat.
Itty bitty, bite-sized cucumber-like fruits form on this unique, sprawling but small leaved vine. Each bite is a refreshing, explosive sensation, and the flavor is a treat: sweet and pleasant, but predominantly tangy, hence the name. They also make lovely pickles. Not a true cucumber, but a member of the species Melothria scabra. A great choice for small spaces, those who love anything unique, and for market growers. Also a very popular item sold at farmers markets in half or full pints. Trellis for best production, ease of harvest, and use of space.
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Growing instructions
Product Details
| Days to Maturity | 75 days |
|---|---|
| Days to Germination | 3-10 days |
| Width at Maturity | 12" |
| Height at Maturity | 36-48" |
| Sun Conditions | Full Sun (8+ Hours Sun) |
| Planting Depth | 1/2" |
| Row Spacing | 36-60" |
| Plant Spacing | 12" |
About the artist
Super happy on a trellis, it is my happiest plant. If anything, it’s slightly too successful (I needed a larger trellis), but that’s a good problem to have. Fun to harvest, fun to eat. 10/10 would plant again.
In 2023, this was a big hit growing for the first time. Not only did we get a high germination & yield, but really saw that this plant could make an amazing privacy screen on a trellis. Used in a variety of ways, these cucamelons were amazing pickled. As someone else mentioned, these are a bit slow to get going, but once in the ground - they take off. They need a bit of maintenance as they can get a bit unruly as seen in one of my photos. Growing again in 2024, 90% of the seed from last year's packet germinated. Looking forward to these snackable tasty treats.
The cutest and most fun thing I grew in the garden this year. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Took a while for the plant to grow but once it did, it took off!! I love the cute little fruit and will grow it again this year!
I planted the seeds and forgot about them... and almost pulled the vine as a weed, but discovered tiny yellow flowers and what looked like the tiniest little beginnings of a "fruit". I decided to wait and see if they were cucamelons even though I didn't remember putting them in my tomato bed. I am so glad I did! I have vines going everywhere now, and fun snacks every time I go out to water the garden. Mexican Gherkins are the gardener's reward for a hard day's work tending her plants. :)
I’m excited to watch these grow!!
I planted seeds twice and had virtually zero germination. A complete waste of time and money, as well as a season of growth.
Thank you so much for ordering seeds from us!
We are very sorry to hear that you had poor results from the packs you purchased and we would like to send out replacements. We will be contacting you directly to resolve your issue.
great delicious yield!
Fast growers with abundant yet lightweight fruits are easy to trellis. Seems resistent to powdery mildew. Lots of fruit per vine!