{"product_id":"semences-cucamelon-melon-souris-ancestral","title":"Cucamelon Heirloom (Mouse Melon)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMelothria scabra\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA Mexican botanical curiosity that looks like a mini-watermelon the size of a large grape — dark-and-light green stripes included — but crunches in the mouth like a cucumber, with a lightly tangy, almost lemony finish. The cucamelon is not a cucumber despite appearances (different genus, \u003cem\u003eMelothria\u003c\/em\u003e, in the same broad Cucurbitaceae family), but a distinct plant cultivated by the Mesoamerican peoples since pre-Columbian times. Known in Spanish as \u003cem\u003esandita\u003c\/em\u003e (\"little watermelon\") or \u003cem\u003esandía de ratón\u003c\/em\u003e (\"mouse watermelon\") — hence the French \u003cem\u003emelon souris\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn extremely productive climbing plant: a single specimen can yield several hundred fruits in a season, picked by hand like grapes. Delicious eaten as-is as a garden snack, tossed whole into a salad for the visual surprise, pickled in vinegar where they take on a lightly piquant dimension (the famous \u003cem\u003epepquinos\u003c\/em\u003e at the cocktail hour), sliced into cocktails in place of the cucumber wheel, or simply served to kids, who adore them — the small size makes them the ultimate food-toy. A surprising bonus: the plant also produces small underground tubers that can be dug up in autumn, stored frost-free through the winter, and replanted the following spring to restart the crop without starting again from seed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrower's tip:\u003c\/strong\u003e Germination is capricious and slow — 1 to 3 weeks — given sustained warmth (22-25 °C). Start indoors 4-6 weeks before transplanting, in biodegradable pots to avoid transplant shock. Patience at first: the plant stays modest for the first few weeks after planting out, then literally explodes from mid-July onward, once the heat truly sets in. Install a sturdy trellis at transplanting — the vines race up to 3-4 metres and pull their weight once loaded with fruit. Harvest begins around mid-August and continues until the first frosts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOpen-pollinated. Monoecious; bee-pollinated. A distinct species from cucumbers; does not cross with any other common garden cucurbit, which simplifies seed saving.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHeight: climbing vines 3-4 m — sturdy trellis required.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaturity: 60-75 days after transplant. Continuous production from mid-August to the frosts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExposure: full sun, sheltered from wind.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRich, well-drained soil kept cool. Space plants 60 cm apart on the trellis.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStart indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost, in biodegradable pots. Transplant once all frost risk has passed and the soil reaches at least 18 °C (early June in Québec).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Joual Vert","offers":[{"title":"20","offer_id":41381755977900,"sku":"GC-H-CUCAME-20","price":0.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false},{"title":"100","offer_id":41381756010668,"sku":"GC-H-CUCAME-100","price":3.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"500","offer_id":41381756043436,"sku":"GC-H-CUCAME-500","price":15.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2500","offer_id":44169100820652,"sku":"GC-H-CUCAME-2500","price":63.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0532\/1388\/8684\/products\/cucamelon_8d363e5c-0e41-4d5c-9c67-514fdf657dec.jpg?v=1664221244","url":"https:\/\/joualvert.ca\/en\/products\/cucamelon-heirloom-mouse-melon-seeds","provider":"Joual Vert","version":"1.0","type":"link"}