The Mexican sour gherkin , also hump as the cucamelon , is a fascinating plant that has been get ahead popularity among gardeners . So , are Mexican sour gherkin annuals or perennials ? Well , it in reality bet on the climate in which they are grow .
In tropical climates , where the temperatures rest consistently warm throughout the year , the Mexican sour gherkin is consider a repeated plant . This means that it can endure year after year , regrow from the same root system . As a perennial , it has the potential to continue bring out fruit for multiple seasons , lay down it a worthful addition to a tropic garden .
However , in most other climate where temperature drop below freezing during the wintertime month , the Mexican sour gherkin is typically grown as an yearly . This mean that it completes its life cycle within a single growing season and does not survive the winter . In these regions , the industrial plant is usually started from seed in the spring , grows and create fruits during the summer , and then dies off with the arrival of colder temperatures .
As an avid nurseryman myself , I have had the pleasure of growing Mexican sour gherkins in my garden . Living in a temperate mood , I do by them as annual . I witness it entrancing to see these little , vine - like plant grow rapidly , strive heights of up to 6 foot or more within a few months . Their finespun , heart - shape leaves provide a beautiful backdrop for the tiny fruits that start to appear .
The yield of the Mexican rancid gherkin resemble miniature watermelon , hence their name . They are about the size of a grape vine or cherry tomato , with a thin , slightly semitransparent skin . When you sting into a cucamelon , you are meet with a explosion of refreshing , Cucumis sativus - alike feeling , followed by a tip of tanginess . They are a delightful plus to salads , pickles , or even exhaust flat off the vine as a garden snack .
To check a successful crop of Mexican sour gherkin , it is important to provide them with the right grow conditions . They flourish in full sun but can tolerate fond ghost . Being a vining industrial plant , they want a stout treillage or support structure to climb on . Regular tearing is essential , as they choose systematically moist grime . Mulching around the stand of the plant life can help retain wet and suppress weed emergence .
In terminus of cuss and disease , Mexican turned gherkins are relatively low - maintenance . However , like other cucumber and melons , they can be susceptible to common garden pests such as aphids , cucumber beetles , and powdery mildew . Regular monitoring and prompt action , such as handpicking pests or using organic pest control method , can help oneself keep these topic in check .
The Mexican sour gherkin , or cucamelon , can be both an annual or a recurrent plant , depending on the clime in which it is grow . In tropical mood , it is a repeated , while in colder neighborhood it is typically grown as an annual . Regardless of its life , this unequaled and delicious plant adds a touch of capriciousness and flavor to any garden .
Caroline Bates
