The small Mexican mini cucumbers (Melothria scabra) not only taste good, they also look very attractive. Her cultivation is very easy, both under glass and outdoors.

In a nutshell

  • the Mexican mini cucumber belongs to the pumpkin family
  • they love warmth and are not frost hardy
  • Breeding is easy
  • Breeding or direct sowing possible
  • Plant needs climbing aid

Breeding - Material

You need the following utensils before pre-cultivating your Mexican mini cucumber:

  • Pots or seed trays (alternatively indoor greenhouse)
  • kitchen roll
  • Potting soil or other substrate that is not too nutrient-rich
  • seed
  • water (watering can or spray bottle)
  • Freezer bag, transparent cover or similar

location

Mini cucumbers need it warm and moist so that they can germinate well. Room temperature is a good choice. If this is not possible, a heating mat for plants that is placed under the pots will help. The cover of an aquarium is also warm if it is still illuminated with tubes. The cucumbers only need light when they have germinated. After that, as much as possible.

time

The best time to grow the Mexican mini cucumber is early spring, around March or April. It is important that there is already enough sunlight, otherwise the plants will take care of themselves after they come up.

Notice: If you want to grow your plants early, you can use special plant lights.

manual

  1. Cover the holes in the pots with some kitchen paper.
  2. Fill pots or bowls with soil. Do not fill to the brim and press down the soil.
  3. Water the soil carefully.
  4. distribute seeds. Either one or two grains per pot or evenly in the seed tray. Press the cores down a bit so that they have good contact with the ground.
  5. Cover the seed with soil and press down well.
  6. Moisten the soil, better use a spray bottle.
  7. Cover pots or bowls with clear foil or a hood. Alternatively use indoor greenhouse.
  8. Place in the intended location. The seed germinates within 10 to 20 days. Re-moisten only if the soil becomes too dry.
  9. If necessary, repot the young plants, then use a nutrient-rich substrate.

plant out

The young plants only come outdoors after the last frosts. There they need a sheltered, warm and preferably sunny location. The soil must be nutrient-rich and loose. Possibly upgrade with compost or other organic fertilizer. A climbing aid is absolutely necessary and is attached right away when planting. The cucumber then climbs on its own and does not need to be tied. The planting distance is around 40 cm.

Notice: The Mexican mini cucumber can reach heights of up to 3 meters.

outdoor sowing

You can also sow the Mexican mini cucumber directly outdoors. You should note a few points.

location

In the case of direct sowing, the location where the plants are to remain is selected straight away. Sowing in a bucket is also possible. The mini cucumbers like a warm, sunny place that is protected from cold drafts and still airy.

time

Always wait for the last frosts before sowing outdoors. End of May or beginning of June is good.

manual

  1. Thoroughly prepare the ground. Loosen the soil, remove weeds and stones. When sowing in the bucket, provide this with a drainage layer, then fill with nutrient-rich soil.
  2. Press cores into the ground. Outdoors with 40 cm spacing between grains. Place two seeds in the bucket if one does not sprout.
  3. Cover the seed with soil and press down. Then rinse thoroughly. The sowing depth can easily be over 1 cm.
  4. It is also worth covering the soil with a film outdoors to increase the humidity. Perforated foil is well suited for this. A wooden frame about 30 cm high is built onto which the foil is stretched. Then simply place the frame on the bed.
  5. Germination can take a little longer outdoors. After three to four weeks, however, the cotyledons should be visible. The foil can remain for some time afterwards. Water only when the soil has dried out.
  6. If the plants are stronger, mulch the soil all around and attach a climbing aid. In the tub, remove the weaker plant when both have sprouted. It is often not worth pricking the cucumbers.

frequently asked Questions

Can the Mexican mini cucumber go into the greenhouse?

The mini cucumber also grows in the greenhouse. It's warm and humid there. Cucumbers can be sown earlier in the greenhouse. But even there it should be ensured that the sunlight is sufficient after germination.

Does the cucumber plant need to be cut?

This is possible, but neither necessary nor useful. If the cucumber is pruned, flowers and therefore fruit are lost. It also doesn't have to be exposed. Dead or diseased shoots and leaves are removed and regular harvesting ensures the formation of new flowers.

How is the mini cucumber cared for?

The cucumber needs a lot of water, it should be watered regularly. Fertilizing is also important, especially when growing in a container. Mulching the soil around the plant will help suppress weeds and minimize evaporation.

Category:

Vegetable garden