Cucamelon - Are single plants productive?

Cucamelons were a bit of an afterthought this year, because they did not do well for me in the past.
Still I have 4 plants developing and I was thinking to plant them out in June in 4 different spots, just to compare how they do.

Just, I was wondering, would they be productive without a companion?
Otherwise, I might plant them in couples.

 

Yes, for me a single cucamelon did give fruit. Nevertheless, as a general rule, even plants that are self-fertile often do better with pollen from another plant.

 

Thanks for confirming this!

 

I grew these a few years ago, cant say they were to my taste but that's probably just me.

Trying to remember, but I think you get male and female flowers on the same plant, so they self pollinate like courgettes cues marrows, pumpkins etc.

 

Thanks Pete!
I remember that neither you nor Marley were particularly happy with cucamelons, so I do not have great expectations regarding the taste, provided they even grow.
But it bothers me not having managed to grow them last year :D
Actually, I was reading old posts and I realised I had completely forgotten about your suggestion to go for inca berries instead, in another thread. I will remember next season, those looks interesting.

 

yep, growing a fair few inca berries this year, plan being to put some in some homemade wine.

 

Cucamelons are absolutely brilliant, the must-have crop for every household! OK, so I have my first trial going rather strong, I trust they are worth growing unlike the Agretti last year. I'll follow this thread in "you show me yours and I'll show you mine" basis Mine will go out tomorrow after the winds die down.

 

@Selleri Deal, let's compare outcomes :D
I understand that no wind, high temperature and quite a lot of sunlight help a lot. Last years most people who managed copious crops planted them in greehouses and tunnels. Which is one reason for me to wait until June before planting them outdoors.

One thing I can confirm personally is that slugs love them to bits when they are young and like to eat through the main stem. Hopefully once they grow thicker it should be less of a problem.

 

That sounds like a plan!
Would it be the same recipe as strawberry wine?
I think Scrungee was at some point planning on cucamelon wine, but I am not sure if that worked out in the end. I also remember you being somewhat skeptical regarding the taste of cucamelons, whether for wine or anything else :D

 

Well yes, a bit like making wine from a cucumber
If you would like a few inca berry plants I've got some spares.

 

@pete Thanks for the offer, that's so kind of you!
As tempting as it would be to try a new kind of plant, I am running out of planting space and resorting to pots and shady corners of the garden.
So they probably would not do too well.
But if you have some advice about growing them from seed next year, I would be very interested!

 

@Selleri What happened with the Agretti last year, out of curiosity?
They did not grow well? Or did they turn up not as tasty as hoped?