Growing Melothria Scabra is quite uncomplicated, as the mini cucumber is hardly affected by pests and diseases. It also thrives outdoors and delivers high yields. With our instructions you can easily sow and grow the robust plant yourself.
How to grow mini Mexican cucumbers from seeds?
In order to grow Mexican mini cucumbers (Melothria Scabra) from seeds, seed trays with growing soil are prepared from mid-March to mid-April. Sow one seed per pot, keep the soil moist and allow it to germinate at 20-25 degrees. Pricked out after about 21-28 days and released outdoors after the ice saints.
Sowing and cultivation:
- Prefer plants: mid-March to mid-April
- Germination temperature: 20 – 25 degrees
- Germination time: 21 – 28 days
Do the following:
- Fill special growing trays with growing soil. This is low in nutrients, which encourages the seedlings to develop stronger roots.
- Put only one seed in each pot. This means that the sensitive plants do not have to be separated.
- Moisten the soil with a sprayer (€9.00 on Amazon) and cover the pots with a transparent hood or translucent film.
- Water regularly, the substrate must not dry out.
- Daily ventilation prevents mold formation.
- When the first leaves appear, you can remove the hood.
- As soon as the seedlings are a few centimeters tall, insert a shish kebab skewer into the planter as a climbing aid.
When can Melothria Scabra be put outdoors?
The Mexican mini cucumber is very sensitive to frost. That's why you should only move the plants into the garden after the Ice Saints. Give it a full sun, wind-protected location with a climbing aid. The planting distance should not be less than 50 centimeters.
If there is a threat of late frosts or cool nights, the heat-loving plants must be protected with garden fleece.
Grow your own seeds
If you are already cultivating the plant in your garden, you can use your own seeds:
- Squeeze the seeds out of the fully ripe fruits.
- Rinse the pulp.
- Let the seeds dry on kitchen paper.
- Store in small paper bags until next spring.
Tip
Don't lose patience if the Mexican mini cucumber develops quite slowly at first. After a while it starts to grow very quickly and uses its tendrils to cling to everything it can get hold of.
