Other names
mouse melon, Mexican sour gherkin, Mexican mini cucumber
Botanical name
Melothria scabra
Family / Genus
Cucurbitaceae / Melothria
Plant category
Fruit vegetables
The fruits of the Mexican sour gherkin Melothria look like tiny melons and are great for snacking straight from the plant – kids love them too. The flavour is sour and cucumber-like.
Facts and figures
Light requirements
Sun / partial shade
Nutrient requirements
Medium feeder
Difficulty level
Easy
Culture (according to Gertrud Franck)
A - tall or wide crops, almost year-round
Culture (according to Sister C. Weinrich)
Companion crop
Growing period
100 days
Row spacing
30 cm
Plant spacing
40 cm
Growth height
150 - 300 cm
Sowing depth
2 cm
Germination temperature (minimum)
15 °C
Germination temperature (optimal)
18 - 25 °C
Germination type
Dark
Pre-growing period
45 days
Planting & harvest times of Melothria
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Pre-grow
Transplant
Harvest
Transplant to bed from Mid May to Late June. Pre-grow about 45 days before transplanting, approximately between Early April and Mid May. After a growing period of 100 days, harvest can begin around Mid July and continues until Late October.
Location and soil
Like other cucurbits, they prefer humus-rich, nutrient-rich soil and plenty of sun.
They definitely need a climbing support, as they can climb up to 3 m high. In a bed, a bean pole works well, or you can plant them in a pot with a trellis, or next to a pergola, a rose arch or something similar. The dangling mini cucumber-melons are also very decorative.
They also thrive in greenhouse conditions.
Good and bad companions of Melothria
The cucamelon prefers to grow on its own. It climbs up to three metres high and spreads vigorously, so give it its own trellis, a wigwam of bean poles or a spot along the fence rather than squeezing it in among other crops. Keep some distance from cucumbers, melons, squash and courgettes, as they share mildew and viruses that aphids carry from plant to plant.
Good neighbours
Basil
Basil attracts bees and is considered a good neighbour for cucumbers. This is carried over to the related Melothria but has not been tried.
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Long-standing companion planting practice (e.g. Gertrud Franck, Schwester C. Weinrich), Guidebooks, companion planting charts, tradition, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
We found conflicting sources. This is our current assessment.
Reasons:
- Supports pollination
Batavia lettuce
Lettuce is considered a good neighbour for cucumbers. For the related Melothria this is only carried over; it sprawls vigorously and often does better on its own.
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Long-standing companion planting practice (e.g. Gertrud Franck, Schwester C. Weinrich), Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented, Tradition agrees across several language regions
We found conflicting sources. This is our current assessment.
Brussels sprouts
Brussels sprouts is considered a good neighbour for cucumbers. For the related Melothria this is only carried over; it sprawls vigorously and often does better on its own.
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Long-standing companion planting practice (e.g. Gertrud Franck, Schwester C. Weinrich), Guidebooks, companion planting charts, tradition, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
We found conflicting sources. This is our current assessment.
Butterhead lettuce
Lettuce is considered a good neighbour for cucumbers. For the related Melothria this is only carried over; it sprawls vigorously and often does better on its own.
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Long-standing companion planting practice (e.g. Gertrud Franck, Schwester C. Weinrich), Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented, Tradition agrees across several language regions
We found conflicting sources. This is our current assessment.
Celeriac
Celery is considered a good neighbour for cucumbers. For the related Melothria this is only carried over; it sprawls vigorously and often does better on its own.
Evidence quality: limited
Evidence: Long-standing companion planting practice (e.g. Gertrud Franck, Schwester C. Weinrich), Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented, Tradition agrees across several language regions
We found conflicting sources. This is our current assessment.
Celery
Celery is considered a good neighbour for cucumbers. For the related Melothria this is only carried over; it sprawls vigorously and often does better on its own.
Evidence quality: limited
Evidence: Long-standing companion planting practice (e.g. Gertrud Franck, Schwester C. Weinrich), Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented, Tradition agrees across several language regions
We found conflicting sources. This is our current assessment.
Chilli
Chilli is considered a good neighbour for cucumbers. For the related Melothria this is only carried over; it sprawls vigorously and often does better on its own.
Evidence quality: limited
Evidence: Guidebooks, companion planting charts, tradition, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
We found conflicting sources. This is our current assessment.
Cutting celery
Celery is considered a good neighbour for cucumbers. For the related Melothria this is only carried over; it sprawls vigorously and often does better on its own.
Evidence quality: limited
Evidence: Long-standing companion planting practice (e.g. Gertrud Franck, Schwester C. Weinrich), Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented, Tradition agrees across several language regions
We found conflicting sources. This is our current assessment.
Dill
Dill is considered a good neighbour for cucumbers. For the related Melothria this is only carried over; it sprawls vigorously and often does better on its own.
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Specialist book, Long-standing companion planting practice (e.g. Gertrud Franck, Schwester C. Weinrich), Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented, Tradition agrees across several language regions
We found conflicting sources. This is our current assessment.
Fennel
In Germany fennel is considered a good neighbour for cucumbers, in England a bad one. For the related Melothria this is only carried over.
Evidence quality: limited
Evidence: Long-standing companion planting practice (e.g. Gertrud Franck, Schwester C. Weinrich), Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented, Traditions from different countries contradict each other
We found conflicting sources. This is our current assessment.
Iceberg lettuce
Lettuce is considered a good neighbour for cucumbers. For the related Melothria this is only carried over; it sprawls vigorously and often does better on its own.
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Long-standing companion planting practice (e.g. Gertrud Franck, Schwester C. Weinrich), Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented, Tradition agrees across several language regions
We found conflicting sources. This is our current assessment.
Kohlrabi
Kohlrabi is considered a good neighbour for cucumbers. For the related Melothria this is only carried over; it sprawls vigorously and often does better on its own.
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Specialist book, Long-standing companion planting practice (e.g. Gertrud Franck, Schwester C. Weinrich), Guidebooks, companion planting charts, tradition, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
We found conflicting sources. This is our current assessment.
Lollo biando / Lollo rosso
Lettuce is considered a good neighbour for cucumbers. For the related Melothria this is only carried over; it sprawls vigorously and often does better on its own.
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Long-standing companion planting practice (e.g. Gertrud Franck, Schwester C. Weinrich), Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented, Tradition agrees across several language regions
We found conflicting sources. This is our current assessment.
Maize
Sweetcorn shelters cucumbers from the wind. This is carried over to the related Melothria, which also needs a sheltered spot.
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Specialist book, Long-standing companion planting practice (e.g. Gertrud Franck, Schwester C. Weinrich), Guidebooks, companion planting charts, tradition, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
We found conflicting sources. This is our current assessment.
Reasons:
- Shade, wind shelter, ground cover
Oak leaf lettuce
Lettuce is considered a good neighbour for cucumbers. For the related Melothria this is only carried over; it sprawls vigorously and often does better on its own.
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Long-standing companion planting practice (e.g. Gertrud Franck, Schwester C. Weinrich), Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented, Tradition agrees across several language regions
We found conflicting sources. This is our current assessment.
Pepper
Sweet pepper is considered a good neighbour for cucumbers. For the related Melothria this is only carried over; it sprawls vigorously and often does better on its own.
Evidence quality: limited
Evidence: Guidebooks, companion planting charts, tradition, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
We found conflicting sources. This is our current assessment.
Pole bean
Climbing beans shelter cucumbers from the wind. This is carried over to the related Melothria, which also needs a sheltered spot.
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Specialist book, Long-standing companion planting practice (e.g. Gertrud Franck, Schwester C. Weinrich), Guidebooks, companion planting charts, tradition, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
We found conflicting sources. This is our current assessment.
Reasons:
- Shade, wind shelter, ground cover
Radish
Radishes make a quick catch crop between young cucumbers. For Melothria, which grows slowly at first, this is carried over from cucumber.
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Specialist book, Long-standing companion planting practice (e.g. Gertrud Franck, Schwester C. Weinrich), Guidebooks, companion planting charts, tradition, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
We found conflicting sources. This is our current assessment.
Spinach
Spinach is considered a good neighbour for cucumbers. For the related Melothria this is only carried over; it sprawls vigorously and often does better on its own.
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Long-standing companion planting practice (e.g. Gertrud Franck, Schwester C. Weinrich), Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
We found conflicting sources. This is our current assessment.
Bad neighbours
Black radish
Winter radishes are said to make cucumber flowers sterile. This is carried over to the related Melothria but has not been observed there.
Evidence quality: limited
Evidence: Long-standing companion planting practice (e.g. Gertrud Franck, Schwester C. Weinrich), Guidebooks, companion planting charts, tradition, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Preliminary assessment, we're still researching.
Reasons:
- Allelopathy, growth inhibition
Courgette
Cucumbers, melons, squash and courgettes share mildew and viruses spread by aphids. With some distance between them, these spread more slowly.
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Reasons:
- Shared pathogen, spreads through proximity
Cucumber
Cucumbers, melons, squash and courgettes share mildew and viruses spread by aphids. With some distance between them, these spread more slowly.
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Reasons:
- Shared pathogen, spreads through proximity
Honeydew melon
Cucumbers, melons, squash and courgettes share mildew and viruses spread by aphids. With some distance between them, these spread more slowly.
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Reasons:
- Shared pathogen, spreads through proximity
Radish
Winter radishes are said to make cucumber flowers sterile. This is carried over to the related Melothria but has not been observed there.
Evidence quality: limited
Evidence: Long-standing companion planting practice (e.g. Gertrud Franck, Schwester C. Weinrich), Guidebooks, companion planting charts, tradition, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Preliminary assessment, we're still researching.
Reasons:
- Allelopathy, growth inhibition
Squash
Cucumbers, melons, squash and courgettes share mildew and viruses spread by aphids. With some distance between them, these spread more slowly.
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Reasons:
- Shared pathogen, spreads through proximity
Watermelon
Cucumbers, melons, squash and courgettes share mildew and viruses spread by aphids. With some distance between them, these spread more slowly.
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Reasons:
- Shared pathogen, spreads through proximity
Predecessors and successors of Melothria
The cucamelon belongs to the cucurbit family, so it only returns to the same spot after four years at the earliest. The same gap applies to cucumbers, melons, squash and courgettes, because they share diseases that survive on plant debris in the soil. Beans, peas, leeks or celery make good preceding crops, and you can still harvest a batch of lettuce from the bed until mid-May. Cabbage, tomatoes and peppers draw heavily on the soil and, like sweetcorn, count as poor preceding crops. In the year after the cucamelon, beetroot or chard fit in well.
Good predecessors
Batavia lettuce
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Specialist book, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Broad bean
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Specialist book, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Reasons:
- Nitrogen release
Bush bean
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Specialist book, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Reasons:
- Nitrogen release
Butterhead lettuce
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Specialist book, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Celeriac
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Specialist book, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Celery
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Specialist book, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Chickpea
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Specialist book, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Reasons:
- Nitrogen release
Cutting celery
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Specialist book, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Iceberg lettuce
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Specialist book, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Leek
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Specialist book, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Reasons:
- Loosens soil, improves soil structure
Lentils
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Specialist book, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Reasons:
- Nitrogen release
Lollo biando / Lollo rosso
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Specialist book, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Lupin
Lasting effect: 3 years
Oak leaf lettuce
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Specialist book, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Oats
Lasting effect: 3 years
Pea
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Specialist book, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Reasons:
- Nitrogen release
Pole bean
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Specialist book, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Reasons:
- Nitrogen release
Romaine lettuce
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Specialist book, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Runner bean
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Specialist book, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Reasons:
- Nitrogen release
Soya bean
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Specialist book, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Reasons:
- Nitrogen release
Winter rye
Lasting effect: 3 years
Bad predecessors
Black kale
Cabbage, tomatoes and sweet peppers are heavy feeders and are considered a poor previous crop for Melothria. Legumes, leeks, celery or lettuce suit it better.
Rotation break: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
Broccoli
Cabbage, tomatoes and sweet peppers are heavy feeders and are considered a poor previous crop for Melothria. Legumes, leeks, celery or lettuce suit it better.
Rotation break: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
Brussels sprouts
Cabbage, tomatoes and sweet peppers are heavy feeders and are considered a poor previous crop for Melothria. Legumes, leeks, celery or lettuce suit it better.
Rotation break: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
Cauliflower
Cabbage, tomatoes and sweet peppers are heavy feeders and are considered a poor previous crop for Melothria. Legumes, leeks, celery or lettuce suit it better.
Rotation break: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
Chinese cabbage
Cabbage, tomatoes and sweet peppers are heavy feeders and are considered a poor previous crop for Melothria. Legumes, leeks, celery or lettuce suit it better.
Rotation break: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
Courgette
Melothria shares diseases with cucumbers, squash, courgettes and melons that survive on plant debris and in the soil. Leave four years between them.
Rotation break: 4 years
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book
Reasons:
- Shared soil-borne pathogen
Cucumber
Cucumbers share diseases with squash, courgettes and melons that survive on plant debris and in the soil. Leave four years between them.
Rotation break: 4 years
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book
Reasons:
- Shared soil-borne pathogen
Flower Sprouts
Cabbage, tomatoes and sweet peppers are heavy feeders and are considered a poor previous crop for Melothria. Legumes, leeks, celery or lettuce suit it better.
Rotation break: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
Honeydew melon
Honeydew melons share diseases with cucumbers, squash, courgettes and watermelons that survive on plant debris and in the soil. Keep four years between them.
Rotation break: 4 years
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book
Reasons:
- Shared soil-borne pathogen
Kale
Cabbage, tomatoes and sweet peppers are heavy feeders and are considered a poor previous crop for Melothria. Legumes, leeks, celery or lettuce suit it better.
Rotation break: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
Kohlrabi
Cabbage, tomatoes and sweet peppers are heavy feeders and are considered a poor previous crop for Melothria. Legumes, leeks, celery or lettuce suit it better.
Rotation break: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
Maize
Sweetcorn is considered a poor previous crop for cucumbers and their relatives such as Melothria. Legumes, leeks, celery or lettuce suit them better.
Rotation break: 1 year
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Specialist book, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Melothria
Melothria shares diseases with cucumbers, squash, courgettes and melons that survive on plant debris and in the soil. Leave four years between them.
Rotation break: 4 years
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book
Reasons:
- Shared soil-borne pathogen
- Self-incompatibility
Pak choi
Cabbage, tomatoes and sweet peppers are heavy feeders and are considered a poor previous crop for Melothria. Legumes, leeks, celery or lettuce suit it better.
Rotation break: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
Pepper
Cabbage, tomatoes and sweet peppers are heavy feeders and are considered a poor previous crop for Melothria. Legumes, leeks, celery or lettuce suit it better.
Rotation break: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
Pointed cabbage
Cabbage, tomatoes and sweet peppers are heavy feeders and are considered a poor previous crop for Melothria. Legumes, leeks, celery or lettuce suit it better.
Rotation break: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
Red cabbage
Cabbage, tomatoes and sweet peppers are heavy feeders and are considered a poor previous crop for Melothria. Legumes, leeks, celery or lettuce suit it better.
Rotation break: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
Romanesco
Cabbage, tomatoes and sweet peppers are heavy feeders and are considered a poor previous crop for Melothria. Legumes, leeks, celery or lettuce suit it better.
Rotation break: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
Savoy cabbage
Cabbage, tomatoes and sweet peppers are heavy feeders and are considered a poor previous crop for Melothria. Legumes, leeks, celery or lettuce suit it better.
Rotation break: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
Squash
Melothria shares diseases with cucumbers, squash, courgettes and melons that survive on plant debris and in the soil. Leave four years between them.
Rotation break: 4 years
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book
Reasons:
- Shared soil-borne pathogen
Tomato
Cabbage, tomatoes and sweet peppers are heavy feeders and are considered a poor previous crop for Melothria. Legumes, leeks, celery or lettuce suit it better.
Rotation break: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
Watermelon
Watermelons share diseases with cucumbers, squash, courgettes and other melons that survive on plant debris and in the soil. Keep four years between them.
Rotation break: 4 years
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book
Reasons:
- Shared soil-borne pathogen
White cabbage
Cabbage, tomatoes and sweet peppers are heavy feeders and are considered a poor previous crop for Melothria. Legumes, leeks, celery or lettuce suit it better.
Rotation break: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
Good successors
Alfalfa
Lasting effect: 3 years
Beetroot
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Specialist book, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Berseem clover
Lasting effect: 3 years
Crimson clover
Lasting effect: 3 years
Garlic
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Specialist book, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Leek
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Specialist book, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Onion
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Specialist book, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Persian clover
Lasting effect: 3 years
Phacelia
Lasting effect: 3 years
Red clover
Lasting effect: 3 years
Shallot
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Specialist book, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Spring onion
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Specialist book, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Subterranean clover
Lasting effect: 3 years
Swiss chard
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Specialist book, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
White clover
Lasting effect: 3 years
Winter rye
Lasting effect: 3 years
Bad successors
Courgette
Melothria shares diseases with cucumbers, squash, courgettes and melons that survive on plant debris and in the soil. Leave four years between them.
Rotation break: 4 years
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book
Reasons:
- Shared soil-borne pathogen
Cucumber
Cucumbers share diseases with squash, courgettes and melons that survive on plant debris and in the soil. Leave four years between them.
Rotation break: 4 years
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book
Reasons:
- Shared soil-borne pathogen
Honeydew melon
Honeydew melons share diseases with cucumbers, squash, courgettes and watermelons that survive on plant debris and in the soil. Keep four years between them.
Rotation break: 4 years
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book
Reasons:
- Shared soil-borne pathogen
Melothria
Melothria shares diseases with cucumbers, squash, courgettes and melons that survive on plant debris and in the soil. Leave four years between them.
Rotation break: 4 years
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book
Reasons:
- Shared soil-borne pathogen
- Self-incompatibility
Squash
Melothria shares diseases with cucumbers, squash, courgettes and melons that survive on plant debris and in the soil. Leave four years between them.
Rotation break: 4 years
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book
Reasons:
- Shared soil-borne pathogen
Watermelon
Watermelons share diseases with cucumbers, squash, courgettes and other melons that survive on plant debris and in the soil. Keep four years between them.
Rotation break: 4 years
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book
Reasons:
- Shared soil-borne pathogen
Care and fertilising
Similar to cucumbers.
At first the plants grow very slowly, but at some point they really take off.
Diseases and pests
The Mexican sour gherkin is pleasingly tough. It can catch the same diseases as the cucumber, powdery mildew above all, but it falls ill far less often. If white coatings that wipe off appear on the leaves, cut off the affected leaves; the fruits stay untouched. Aphids like to settle on the shoot tips and can transmit viruses. Waterlogging does the Mexican sour gherkin no good, as the roots then rot.
Susceptible to
Angular leaf spot(low susceptibility)
Cucumber mosaic virus(low susceptibility)
Cucumber scab(low susceptibility)
Cucurbit anthracnose(low susceptibility)
Cucurbit downy mildew(low susceptibility)
Cucurbit powdery mildew(low susceptibility)
Gummy stem blight(low susceptibility)
Septoria leaf spot(low susceptibility)
Two-spotted spider mite(low susceptibility)
Harvest and processing
You can snack on them straight from the plant, toss them into a salad or pickle them like gherkins.
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