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Melothria scabra - Ferme de Sainte Marthe Seeds

Melothria scabra
Mexican Sour Gherkin, Cucamelon, Mouse Melon, Mexican Miniature Watermelon, Mexican Sour Cucumber

5 reviews

3,4/5

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2 reviews

This is the second time I order from you and just like the first time, no results... Yet I am passionate about gardening and I definitely have a green thumb! All the bushes and young plants that I had ordered during my first order died, despite all my careful care, and none of the seeds purchased the second time have sprouted. Therefore, I absolutely cannot recommend you.

Ingrid L., 08/11/2020

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per pack of 20 seeds approximately

3,20 €

Sku: 3100

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This plant carries a 6 months recovery warranty

More information

A climbing vegetable plant that is very unique and produces dark green fruits striped with light green, measuring 2 to 3cm (1in). Their taste closely resembles that of a cucumber. They can be consumed raw in salads or as a snack with salt, or used as a condiment, pickled in vinegar, like gherkins. This small vegetable is sown from March to May for a harvest from June to September.

Ease of cultivation

Amateur

Height at maturity

1.50 m

Spread at maturity

60 cm

Soil moisture

Moist soil

Germination time (days)

10 days

Sowing method

Direct sowing, Sowing under cover, Sowing under cover with heat

Sowing period March to May

JAN J

FEB F

MAR M

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MAY M

JUN J

JUL J

AUG A

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NOV N

DEC D

Harvest time June to September

JAN J

FEB F

MAR M

APR A

MAY M

JUN J

JUL J

AUG A

SEP S

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Description

The Confit Cucumber, Melothria scabra in Latin, is a very unique climbing vegetable plant that produces dark green fruits with pale green stripes, measuring 2 to 3cm (1in). Their taste closely resembles that of a cucumber. They can be consumed raw, in salads or as a snack with salt, or as a condiment, pickled in vinegar, like gherkins. This small vegetable is sown from March to May for a harvest from June to September.

Originally from Central America and Mexico and belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family, the Confit Cucumber is a perennial vegetable plant cultivated as an annual in our climates. It has lobed green leaves and produces small oblong dark green fruits with pale green stripes that are harvested when they reach a size of 2 to 3cm (1in). Melothria scabra has a climbing habit and is equipped with tendrils, but you can also let it run along the ground.

It is a fast-growing, productive vegetable that thrives in the sun, in moist and humus-rich soil. Its cultivation is easy and it is resistant to diseases.

Harvest: The harvest takes place approximately 80 days after sowing and before the fruits reach their final size. It should be done very regularly, ideally every two days during the peak production period, as the fruits grow rapidly and become less interesting.

Storage: freshly harvested confit cucumbers can be stored in the refrigerator for a few days before being pickled in vinegar.

Gardener's tip: Like all cucurbits, this small cucumber can be susceptible to powdery mildew: a white coating appears on the foliage. It is advisable to remove heavily affected leaves and spray with wettable sulphur every 2 weeks. In case of minor infestation, you can also treat the plants with skimmed milk diluted in rainwater at a ratio of 10 to 20%. As a preventive measure, avoid watering the foliage and ensure proper ventilation in your greenhouse if the cultivation is done under cover. A decoction of horsetail can also be applied to strengthen the foliage's resistance.

Organic or "AB" seeds come from plants grown without phytosanitary products (insecticides, herbicides). These seeds also do not undergo any treatment after harvest. They bear the AB label and are certified by Ecocert, an independent organization.

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Cucumber and gherkin: sowing, planting, cultivation, pruning

Family sheet

Modified the 5 August 2025 by Aurélien 14 min.

Cucumber and gherkin: sowing, planting, cultivation, pruning

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<a href="https://en.promessedefleurs.eu/vegetable-gardens/vegetables-by-variety/cucumber.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cucumber</a> and <a href="https://en.promessedefleurs.eu/vegetable-gardens/vegetables-by-variety/gherkins.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">gherkin</a> are two fruit-vegetables from the large family of Cucurbitaceae which includes many vegetable plants such as melons, courgettes, watermelons, etc. Cucumber is one of the flagship vegetables of summer; it is probably its refreshing and low-calorie nature that justifies this attraction to this vegetable. Gherkin is slightly less popular as it needs to be pickled and accompanied by small onions, peppercorns, and tarragon to express its full flavour. However, I can tell you that homemade gherkins are definitely worth it! There are several types of cucumbers: Dutch-type varieties that are intended for greenhouse cultivation, such as the 'Carmen' variety, and short-type varieties suitable for open ground cultivation like 'Le Généreux', a Vilmorin selection, and 'Vert Long Maraîcher', known for its good yield and sweet, crunchy white flesh. Historically, gherkins are cucumbers whose fruits are harvested small; varieties have since been selected to suit the characteristics of gherkins. A typical and well-known variety is 'Fin de Meaux', which produces small fruits of good taste quality. Also worth discovering is the gherkin 'Russe' with smooth fruits, to be harvested when they are the size of an egg. There are also some uncommon, exotic cucumbers, such as Kenyan Cucumber or Snake Cucumber, which require a lot of heat to produce well. I must also mention melothria, ideal if you often have diseases with your cucumbers. Indeed, this cucumber from a different botanical genus is very resistant to diseases! In the vegetable garden, cucumbers and gherkins prefer light, loose, cool soils rich in humus. They enjoy sunny exposures and temperatures between 18 and 22°C. These are quite water-hungry vegetables that need to be watered regularly. Additionally, they are sensitive to certain diseases such as powdery mildew and red spider mite... but by following our advice, you will prevent and treat these diseases naturally. <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-41427" src="https://www.promessedefleurs.com/blogwp/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/concombre-1.jpg" alt="" width="1200" height="900" />

Harvest

Harvest time June to September

Type of vegetable Fruit vegetable

Vegetable colour green

Size of vegetable Small

Interest Flavour, Productive

Use Cooking

Plant habit

Height at maturity 1.50 m

Spread at maturity 60 cm

Growth rate fast

Foliage

Foliage persistence Deciduous

Foliage colour medium green

Botanical data

Genus

Melothria

Species

scabra

Family

Cucurbitaceae

Other common names

Mexican Sour Gherkin, Cucamelon, Mouse Melon, Mexican Miniature Watermelon, Mexican Sour Cucumber

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Annual / Perennial

Annual

Product reference • 31001

Planting and care

Sowing:

Sowing takes place from March to May, at a temperature of around 20°C (68°F). It is done in buckets filled with good sowing soil.

Planting in the garden takes place about 4 weeks later, when the plants are well developed and the risk of frost has passed, around mid-May.

A spacing of 60cm (24in) between plants is recommended, with rows spaced one metre apart.

Cucumber cultivation:

The cucumber for preserving is a fairly demanding vegetable, which requires well-fertilized soil. It is advisable, preferably in autumn, to add mature compost (about 3kg per m2) by cultivating it to a depth of 5 cm (2in), after having loosened the soil as is done for any vegetable cultivation. It thrives in neutral soils (pH 7) but will also do well in slightly acidic or alkaline soil (pH between 5.5 and 7.5).

It can be grown flat, but to save space, do not hesitate to use its climbing habit: on a frame covered with wire mesh, inclined at 45%, it will provide beneficial shade for lettuces or even in a teepee to bring a touch of whimsy to the vegetable garden.

Seedlings

Sowing period March to May

Sowing method Direct sowing, Sowing under cover, Sowing under cover with heat

Germination time (days) 10 days

Care

Soil moisture Wet

Disease resistance Good

Pruning No pruning necessary

Intended location

Type of use Vegetable garden

Hardiness Hardy down to -29°C (USDA zone 5) Show map

Ease of cultivation Amateur