Melothria scabra, or African cucumber (Melothria scabra) is a very decorative liana: its bright greenery and small edible fruits delight the eye until autumn. In addition, due to its strong growth, it suppresses all kinds of weeds on the site (you just need to put up a support).
Melothria seeds are very small, so they are sown in medium loamy soil at a depth of about 1-2 cm, like regular cucumbers. They sprout very amicably in about 5 days. They grow quickly and soon bloom. The leaves of the rough melothria are exactly the same in shape as cucumbers, only almost three times smaller, but the shoots are much larger. The flowers are small, with female flowers located singly in the leaf axils, and male flowers are collected in small panicles of 3-6 pieces. They can be artificially pollinated, but it is better to leave this work to the bees.
© Tiger Duck
Some shoots reach 6-8 m during the growing season. Therefore, to make it easier to pick cucumbers, in June a metal net 1,5-2 m high is placed for the plants (other supports can also be built). At the same time, melothria is fed with a urea solution (20 g / 10 l of water), and later – like ordinary cucumbers. During the growing season, I did not notice any pests or diseases on the plants.
© Tiger Duck
Melothria fruits are light green, with a marble pattern, tiny (with a berry of large-fruited dogwood). They taste like cucumbers, but without the characteristic smell. The hard skin gives them a sour taste of hare cabbage. Those fruits that fall off themselves are left for seeds.
The tastiest cucumbers are young ones (overripe ones soften and form many seeds). Fruits picked in time will be stored well for 2-3 months. You can eat them fresh, but it is better to pickle them (frozen ones are not suitable) or marinate them.
