Melothria scabra (Cucamelon)

Botanical name

Melothria scabra

Other names

Cucamelon, Mouse melon, Mexican sour gherkin, Mexican miniature watermelon, Mexican sour cucumber, Zehneria scabra, Zehneria umbellata, Melothria heterophylla

Genus

Melothria Melothria

Species

M. scabra - M. scabra is a tender, twining perennial, often grown as an annual vegetable crop, with heart-shaped, lobed, dark green leaves and small, yellow flowers in late spring and early summer followed by small, oblong, dark and pale green mottled, edible, tart fruit.

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Climbing

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Colour

Flower

Yellow in Summer

Foliage

Dark-green in Spring; Dark-green in Summer; Dark-green in Autumn

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How to care

Watch out for

Diseases

Resistant to scab. Some resistance to powdery and downy mildew.

Specific diseases

Basal rot , Black rot , Downy mildew , Foot and root rot , Grey mould , Powdery mildew , Sclerotinia diseases , Verticillium wilt

General care

Pruning

Fertilization is essential, so never remove the male flowers. A tender perennial, can be grown under glass all year. Harvest from midsummer to early autumn when fruit feels firm and easily pulls away from the stem. Will ripen after picking.

Propagation

Sow seeds under glass from late winter to mid-spring at 24C. Reduce to 21C when three true leaves have formed. Plant out after danger of frost has passed. Harvest from midsummer to early autumn when firm and about the size of a grape.

Propagation methods

Seed

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Melothria scabra (Cucamelon) will reach a height of 2m and a spread of 0.6m after 1-2 years.

Suggested uses

Add to salads, Beds and borders, Flavouring food and drinks, Greenhouse

Cultivation

Best in fertile, moist but well-drained loam in a sunny, sheltered position. If started under cover, plant out once danger of frost has passed. Disturb the roots as little as possible. Water regularly in dry periods. Provide support.

Soil type

Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Full Sun

Aspect

South, West

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Tender in frost (H3)

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Melothria scabra (Cucamelon)

Common pest name

tomato thrips

Scientific pest name

Ceratothripoides brunneus

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Thrips present in Africa; the Caribbean and parts of Asia; frequently intercepted in the UK. Can cause significant damage to tomatoes and other crops in countries where it is present. Europe wide PRA will consider its potential to establish and cause damage.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Melothria scabra (Cucamelon)

Common pest name

Oriental tomato thrips

Scientific pest name

Ceratothripoides claratris

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Thrips present in parts of Asia and East Africa; where it can cause damage to solanaceous crops. Europe-wide PRA will consider its potential to establish and cause damage.

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Melothria scabra (Cucamelon)

Common pest name

Soybean looper

Scientific pest name

Chrysodeixis includens

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Polyphagous insect pest; present in the Americas; with the potential to be damaging to UK glasshouse crops; particularly tomatoes

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/