Mouse Melon Seed

It was Milly's idea to grow these for the first time in 2012; the early spring had been poor and we hadn't been able to get out on our own veg garden, and so Milly chose various exotics to grow under protection, this being one of them!

Also known as the Mexican Sour Gherkin or Miniature Mexican Watermelon, it's no surprise that these originate from Mexico!

Best grown under protection the plants produce a mass of thin climbing stems that are covered with bright green leaves. As the season progresses pretty yellow flowers are followed by literally hundreds of fruits that are similar in size to a grape - only watermelon-shaped.

The skin of the fruits is actually quite firm, but this just adds to the experience when you bite into one. They just burst in the mouth! Perfect in salads, they taste like a slightly sour cucumber; but don't let that sourness put you off using them for desserts as well - they are still sweet enough for that!

But we weren't the only one to try Mouse Melons that year. As can be seen from the pictures above, not only did Milly sell some of her fruits at our 2012 Chilli Day, but we were also lucky enough to take some over to the Aspinall Foundation's Howletts Wildlife Park and feed them to Elephants, Gorillas and Lemurs!

A real fun novelty to grow - and very reliable even in a cooler year as 2012 was.

Recommended by the RHS to be an excellent attractant and nectar source for bees and other beneficial insects.

• Sow under protection in pots late February to April.
• Place seeds on end, blunted end pointing downwards in compost - simply push into compost out of sight. Water thoroughly and germinate at a temperature of 75F (24C).
• When seed leaves are developed reduce temperature to around 65-70F (18-21C).
• Plant out late March (heated greenhouse) or late May (unheated greenhouse), or later if growing outside. Plant two per growbag or straw bale or one per large pot.
• Support the plants with canes and simply let them ramble and scramble.
• Harvest as required.

• Top Tips
• Protect newly sown seeds from mice. Mice are notorious in 'sniffing out' seed of this nature.
• Keep the soil/compost moist - watering around the plant, not onto the foliage.