African cucumber Melotria is still a new product in gardens. It's decorative. A powerful vine entwines the arch in a short time. The fruits look like small watermelons. Pumpkins and root vegetables are edible.
Why is this curiosity interesting?
This cucumber is an African native. Grows in the equatorial zone. Belongs to the pumpkin family. In its homeland it is a perennial plant, but in Europe it is cultivated as an annual plant.
There are 80 known varieties of mouse watermelon. In the middle zone they grow one - Hummingbird.
Description of watermelon cucumber:
- vigorous vine (grows up to 3 m);
- stem 1.5 cm in diameter, pubescent;
- leaves are triangular in profile, covered with villi;
- flowers are bright yellow, male and female on the same plant;
- with simple care, the plant produces a yield of 5 kg/bush.
Melotria prefers sunny places, but tolerates partial shade. Female flowers grow singly, male flowers in bunches. The cucumber is pollinated by bees. He ties the watermelons himself reluctantly.
Mass harvesting of fruits begins 2–3 weeks after planting. Mini pumpkins ripen together. If desired, fruiting can be extended. Watermelons are collected, the vines are trimmed, and nitrogen fertilizer is applied. After 3–5 days, Melotria will begin to set new fruits.
What is attractive about edible parts?
Melotria has edible fruits and tubers. Description of the mini pumpkin:
- elongated fruits;
- color - pale green with dark green stripes;
- rough to the touch, non-prickly;
- combination of taste of cucumber, melon, radish with sourness;
- The size of the African cucumber is 2.5–3 cm.
Plants are actively used for landscaping. Summer residents organize living screens, divide the space into zones, and weave gazebos and pergolas.
Gardeners are attracted to mini-cucumbers by their unusual taste and benefits. The fruits contain:
- fluorine, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, iron, sodium;
- vitamins PP, C, A, B1, B2, B6, B9;
- pectins.
The calorie content of a mouse watermelon is 14 kcal. The value of Melotria: reducing the feeling of hunger and saturating the body with useful substances during diets.
Gardeners are satisfied with the purpose of the fruits. They are delicious fresh and pickled. The unusual sourness is revealed in hot dishes (stews, solyankas).
Root vegetables are also suitable for consumption. Their taste is similar to sour radishes. Experimental gardeners prepare fresh salads with the addition of tomatoes and onions. The edible parts of the mini-pumpkin must be processed immediately: they will soon spoil.
Mini cucumbers are tasty 2–3 days after they grow 2–3 cm. Gardeners collect them first. After the harvest is released, the turn of the tubers comes.
Medicinal properties of Melotria
Studies have shown the beneficial properties of mouse watermelon. They are determined by the chemical composition. Noticed:
- Cucumber contains a lot of fiber. Regular consumption of Melotria improves intestinal motility. When dieting, it reduces the feeling of hunger.
- Cucumber lowers blood pressure. Cleanses blood vessels.
- The combination of chemical elements increases immunity and has an antibacterial effect.
- Mini pumpkin is indispensable in cosmetology. Masks based on it cleanse and tone the skin.
- Relieves swelling. Melotria is a mild diuretic.
Mouse pumpkin is not recommended for people to consume during an exacerbation of kidney diseases, after a heart attack. Salted or pickled cucumbers are contraindicated for pregnant women. Melotria is undesirable for high acidity, stomach ulcers, and gastritis.
What does a cucumber like?
Mini pumpkin is a heat-loving plant. In the southern regions, growing without seedlings is permissible. In other regions, advance preparation is required. Melotria Kolibri - cultivar. Gardeners are advised to collect seeds.
Sequencing:
- prepare your seeds (disinfect in a pink solution of potassium permanganate, hold for 30 minutes in a growth stimulator);
- prepare nutritious soil as for a regular cucumber;
- spread the seeds on top, sprinkle a little sand;
- water with a sprayer;
- When 2-3 true leaves grow, pick them up into separate cups;
- it is necessary to harden the seedlings and highlight them;
- at the end of May - beginning of June, plant in open ground;
- landing according to the scheme: 60 cm X 60 cm;
- Watering is required (every 2 days, 10 liters per bush).
There is no need to pinch the lashes. The plant forms itself independently. When growing to decorate a site, it is recommended to trim the stems and direct their growth.
You should take care of the support for the mini-pumpkin: the vine is actively growing green mass. No tying is required: Melotria weaves around the stand with tendrils.
Horned cucumber is responsive to mineral fertilizers. During flowering, it is recommended to add potassium and phosphorus according to the instructions. Nitrogen causes the growth of vines. If Melotria is planted to grow fruits, it must be applied once before flowering.
You should take into account the exactingness of the mouse watermelon to the soil structure. The plant does not tolerate souring: the vines begin to rot. The formation of a crust of the upper layer leads to the cessation of growth. “Dry watering” will help solve the problem - loosening to a depth of 5–10 cm: the crust is destroyed, gas exchange improves.
Melothria does not tolerate weeds. Harmful plants suppress it. The plant requires sunlight, but is sensitive to its excess (the leaves get burned).
It is not recommended to place plantings next to cucumbers, pumpkins, zucchini, squash, watermelons, and melons. They oppress each other.
It is possible to grow a mini pumpkin in the middle zone. It is required to follow the rules of agricultural technology.
