About
Cucumis melo is a wild melon species that serves as the genetic foundation for all cultivated varieties. This annual plant has a sprawling growth habit, reaching lengths of up to 1.5 meters, and features broad, fuzzy leaves along with unbranched tendrils. It bears yellow flowers that are either male or female, both present on the same plant. The resulting fruit is round and comes in various sizes, with skin textures and flavors that differ by cultivar. Skin characteristics can be smooth, as seen in honeydew melons; ribbed, typical of cantaloupes; or netted, like muskmelons.
About the genus
Cucumis is a genus of climbing plants characterized by their tendrils, encompassing cucumbers, melons, and gherkins. Approximately 30 species are indigenous to Africa, while 25 species are found in India, Southeast Asia, and Australia.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Loam, Sand, Clay, Chalk
- Soil pH
- Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, East-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H1B
Plant details
- Plant type
- Annual Biennial, Fruit Edible
- Habit
- Trailing, Climbing
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Spread
- 1-1.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 1 year
- Toxicity
- Pets: Bitter fruit can be TOXIC if eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in acidic to neutral, moisture retentive, well-drained soil in warm and humid conditions, ideally in greenhouse, large coldframe or polytunnel. Follow melon cultivation for more advice.
- Pruning
- Pinch out growing tip to encourage side-shoots. Where these appear, choose the strongest few and remove others. Prune to two leaves where the fruit is developing to direct plant's energy to the fruit, rather than vegetative growth.
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed. Germinate seeds in heated propagator or warm windowsill in spring.
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to glasshouse whitefly
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to Cucumber mosaic virus Powdery mildews may also occur