Breeding a bigger cucamelon

Discussion in 'Edible Gardening' started by Adam I, Nov 28, 2023.

  1. Adam I

    Adam I Gardener

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    We grow a few cucamelons every year, sometimes from tubers but ours died in a harsh winter in spring so we reseeded, and with great suprise they had some small amount of genetic diversity, and 2 of our 4 plants had truly gigantic cucies. Like 2-2.5 inches which is almost double what most images i see of others, and what our regular ones where. I took seed and am awaiting 2024.
    That got me googling and seemingly cucamelons arent yet cultivated/bred, i couldnt even find wild varieties of the plant. So ill give it a go and perhaps create the first, at least in english, cultivar of a giant cucamelon. Maybe I can get even longer ones with F2.
    If i succeed, what should i call it? Maximelon? Cucamighty? Anyone know to what rate they self vs cross pollinate?
     
  2. NigelJ

    NigelJ Total Gardener

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    Rather than going for size, I think I'd start with getting more flavour and making the growth habit less rampant.
     
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    • JWK

      JWK Gardener Staff Member

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      They are bred and available from some seed suppliers.

      There was a thread here some years back following an article from James Wong, several members grew them for one season ...

      I'm with cucamelon
       
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      • noisette47

        noisette47 Total Gardener

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        Once was quite enough, although I might have another go for the benefit of the chickens. They love cherry tomatoes.....:biggrin:
         
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        • Adam I

          Adam I Gardener

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          Yes but no named cultivars or variants.
          Unfortunately they all had a similar taste and growth habit: I may be able to select some from this years genes but im also growing from tubers to see if they produce earlier. I do like them as a snack, but then we eat a cucumber a day normally.

          My fantasy was a perennial cucumber, theyre more like a wierd goey green watermelon though.

          Strangley enough this is the only crop that has ever volunteered in my garden. It produces enough fruit so it makes sense, if I had a bigger gene pool (and garden) I could breed for a british climate.
           
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