African cucumber Melotria: variety description, planting and cultivation with photo

African cucumber Melotria is still a novelty in the gardens. She is decorative. A powerful vine braids the arch in a short time. The fruits are like small watermelons. Pumpkins and root vegetables are edible.

What is interesting curiosity?

This cucumber is an African native. Grows in the equatorial zone. Belongs to the gourd family. It is a perennial at home, cultivated as an annual in Europe.

There are 80 known varieties of mouse watermelon. In the middle lane, one is grown - Hummingbird.

Description of watermelon cucumber:

• strong growing liana (grows up to 3 m);
• stem 1.5 cm in diameter, hairy;
• leaves of a triangular profile, covered with villi;
• bright yellow flowers, male and female on the same plant;
• with simple care, the plant gives a yield of 5 kg / bush.

Melotria prefers sunny places, but tolerates partial shade. Female flowers grow singly, male - in bunches. Cucumber is pollinated by bees. Reluctantly tying watermelons himself.

Mass harvesting of fruits begins 2-3 weeks after planting. Mini pumpkins ripen together. If desired, fruiting can be extended. Watermelons are harvested, the lashes are cut, nitrogen fertilizing is applied. After 3-5 days, Melotria will begin to set new fruits.

What attracts edible parts?

Melotria has edible fruits and tubers. Mini Pumpkin Description:

• elongated fruits;
• color - pale green with dark green stripes;
• rough to the touch, not prickly;
• combination of taste of cucumber, melon, radish with sourness;
• African cucumber size 2.5-3 cm.

Plants are actively used for landscaping the site. Summer residents organize living screens, divide space into zones, braid arbors and pergolas.

Gardeners are attracted by unusual taste and benefits in mini-cucumbers. Fruit contains:

• fluorine, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, iron, sodium;
• vitamins PP, C, A, B1, B2, B6, B9;
• pectins.

Calorie mouse watermelon - 14 kcal. The value of Melotria: reducing the feeling of hunger and saturating the body with useful substances in diets.

Gardeners are satisfied with the purpose of the fruit. They are delicious fresh and pickled. Unusual sourness is revealed in hot dishes (stews, s altworts).

Root crops are also suitable for consumption. Their taste is similar to sour radish. Experimental gardeners prepare fresh salads with tomatoes and onions. The edible parts of the mini pumpkin need to be recycled immediately as they spoil quickly.

Mini cucumbers are delicious 2-3 days after growing 2-3 cm. Gardeners pick them first. After the return of the crop comes the turn of the tubers.

Healing properties of Melothria

Studies have shown the beneficial properties of mouse watermelon. They are due to the chemical composition. Spotted:

1. Cucumber contains a lot of fiber. Regular consumption of Melotria improves intestinal motility. When dieting, it reduces the feeling of hunger.
2. Cucumber lowers blood pressure. Clears blood vessels.
3. The combination of chemical elements improves immunity, has an antibacterial effect.
4. Mini pumpkin is irreplaceable in cosmetology. Masks based on it cleanse and tone the skin.
5. Relieves swelling. Melotria is a mild diuretic.

Mouse pumpkin is not recommended for people during an exacerbation of kidney disease, after a heart attack. S alted or pickled cucumbers are contraindicated for pregnant women. Melotria is undesirable for hyperacidity, stomach ulcers, gastritis.

What does a cucumber like?

Mini pumpkin is a thermophilic plant. In the southern regions, seedless cultivation is permissible. In other regions, advance preparation is required. Melotria Hummingbird - cultivar. Gardeners are encouraged to collect seeds.

Sequence of actions:

• prepare your seeds (disinfect in a pink solution of potassium permanganate, hold for 30 minutes in a growth stimulator);
• prepare nutrient soil as for a regular cucumber;
• spread the seeds on top, sprinkle a little sand;
• water with a sprayer;
• when 2-3 real leaves grow, pick into separate cups;
• required to harden seedlings, highlight;
• at the end of May - beginning of June to land in open ground;
• fit pattern: 60 cm X 60 cm;
• mandatory watering (every 2 days 10 l under a bush).

Pinching the whip is not required. The plant forms itself. When growing for decorating the site, it is recommended to cut the stems to guide their growth.

You should take care of the support for the mini-pumpkin: the vine is actively increasing its green mass. No tying required: Melotria braids the base 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 lashes. If Melotria is planted for growing fruits, it needs to be applied once before flowering.

You should take into account the exactingness of mouse watermelon to the structure of the soil. The plant does not tolerate souring: the lashes begin to rot. The formation of a crust of the upper layer leads to the cessation of growth. The “dry watering” will help solve the problem - loosening to a depth of 5-10 cm: the crust is destroyed, gas exchange improves.

Melotria cannot tolerate weeds. Harmful plants oppress her. The plant requires sunlight, but is sensitive to its excess (leaves get burned).

It is not recommended to place plantings next to cucumbers, pumpkins, zucchini, squash, watermelons, melons. They oppress each other.

Growing a mini-pumpkin in the middle lane is real. It is required to follow the rules of agricultural technology.

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