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Melothria, Mexican Sour Gherkin ~ 50 seeds

In stock

Ready to purchase!
SKU
63198719
View Store Map
Sun Preference
Full-Sun
Bloom or Harvest Time
Summer, Fall
  $4.79

Description

Melothria scabra

Certified Organic

Tiny fruits with cucumber flavor that pop at each bite.

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.

Seed Starting Successfully

Start your garden from scratch with Gertens' wide variety of seed packets! Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out, we have seeds for every skill level and garden size. From colorful flowers to delicious vegetables, our seeds are carefully selected for their quality and performance.

Seed Starting Successfully

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When to Grow Veggies & Fruits

From Our Experts

Details

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.

Growing Instructions
Direct sow after frost or start under protection up to 3 weeks before. Provide fertile soil and support for climbing. Harvest regularly. 

Quick Facts
Days to Germination: 3-10 days
Days to Maturity: 75 days
Planting Depth: ½"
Spacing in Row: 12"
Spacing Between Rows: 36-60"
Height at Maturity: 36-48"
Width at Maturity: 12"
Sun Preference: Full Sun

About the Artist
Artwork by Wendy Edelson. Wendy, a children's book illustrator, was a natural choice to capture the cuteness and complexity of this winding, vining crop. With precise pencil and ink illustrations, Edelson brought this variety, and a delightful picnic, to life.

More Information

Mature Height (Range) 37" - 48"
Spacing Between Rows 36-60"
Spacing in Row 12"
Days to Germination 3-10 days
Planting Depth ½"
Days to Maturity 75 days
Seed Packet Type Vegetables
Plant Life Cycle Annual
Bloom or Harvest Time Summer, Fall
Sun Preference Full-Sun
Brand Hudson Valley Seed Co

Product Questions (12)

Starting times will vary depending on the vegetable you are growing. Each seed packet will have specific sowing instructions for that type of vegetable. Some plants, such as tomatoes and peppers, should be started indoors, 6-8 weeks before the last frost...
The process of bringing seeds outside is called hardening off. Hardening off is generally done sometime after the seedling has two full sets of normal leaves. In Minnesota, you want to begin hardening off seedlings in late April/early May.  To ...
If you have a southern facing window with all day sun, you may grow seedlings in a windowsill. Be sure to rotate the seedlings frequently to ensure the plants do not lean heavily towards the sun. For more even results, use a grow light, positioned roughly...
We recommend using either high intensity T5 fluorescent bulbs, or LED grow lights. Both setups will produce excellent results. T5s are the typical grow light, are economical and come in frequencies that are helpful for plant development. LED technology...
Grow lights should be kept roughly 4-5” above the top of seedling leaves. If you are using very powerful LEDs, you could even keep them 8-10” away.
Grow lights should be used to mimic a natural sunlight cycle for plants. We recommend using them 12 hours a day, from roughly 7am to 7pm.  
A variety of seedling trays exist for seed starting. If you are starting smaller seeds, a simple peat cell tray works great. However, the larger the seed, the larger the initial pot should be. If you are starting larger seeds indoors such as: sunflowers...
Do not start any type of fertilizer regime for young seedlings until they have at least two full sets of regular leaves. Start with a root stimulator, then after a month you may move on to a gentle, weak (half strength) water-based fertilizer. Remember...
Let the roots tell you when to transplant. When you begin to see the seedling’s root growing out of the bottom of their current pot, it is time to transplant up to something larger. We recommend using a 4” nursery pot to transplant most seedlings. In...
Gertens carries a wide variety of both spring and autumn planted bulbs. Spring planted bulbs, such as gladioli and dahlias, are best started indoors in early April, and planted outside once the soil temperatures are above 55 F. Autumn planted bulbs, ...
The big three tips are: 1) Staking and training 2) Feeding and watering and 3) Harvesting and enjoying. 1) Keeping plants trained and staked allows air circulation around crops and provides much-needed support for produce as it grows...
Gertens does carry an assortment of both perennials, as well as annual and perennial wildflower mixes. It is important to remember when growing perennials, that you will not get any flowers the first year of growth. It often takes a perennial 2-3 years...
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