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Cucumis melo var. flexuosus

Phonetic Spelling
KOO-koo-mis MEL-oh fleks-yoo-OH-sus
Description

Armenian cucumber is a frost-tender, tendril bearing annual vine grown for its long, slender cucumber-like fruit. The fruit will mature to 36 inches but is best harvested at 12-15 inches long and about an inch in diameter. The vines can grow 6-9 feet long with leaves that are rounded with wavy margins, hairy, shallowly and irregularly lobed, and can be 6 inches across. It has yellow flowers with a 5-parted corolla and in frost-free areas can bloom much of the year.

Grow in rich, loose, acid to neutral well-drained soil in full sun; it does well on a trellis due to the long length of the fruits. While not commonly grown in the US, it can be used in a variety of ways including in salads and stir fry dishes.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Cucurbits are subject to many insect pests and diseases problems including cucumber beetles and wilt caused by cold weather stress.  

The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common cucumis diseases as well as a factsheet on common insect pests and other problems.

VIDEO Created by Homegrown featuring Penny Perkins-Veazie, Professor and Postharvest Physiologist at NC State's Plants for Human Health Institute

More information on Cucumis melo.

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Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#yellow flowers#edible flowers#green fruits#edible fruits#annual vegetable#vine#warm season vegetable#annual
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#yellow flowers#edible flowers#green fruits#edible fruits#annual vegetable#vine#warm season vegetable#annual
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Cucumis
    Species:
    melo
    Family:
    Cucurbitaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    They have been used as first aid for burns and abrasions, and as a cooling and light cleanser or moisturizer for skin.
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    India, Pakistan
    Climbing Method:
    Tendrils
    Edibility:
    Fruits and flowers are edible. Can be eaten raw or cooked. Eaten raw they taste like a cucumber. They can be added to curries, preserves, and can be pickled.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Edible
    Vegetable
    Warm Season Vegetable
    Habit/Form:
    Prostrate
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    6-feet-12 feet
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Green
    White
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Showy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Fruit Length:
    > 3 inches
    Fruit Width:
    1-3 inches
    Fruit Description:
    While not commonly grown in the U.S., the fruits can be eaten raw or cooked. The fruits can grow to 36 inches but are best harvested when about 12 inches long and 1 inch in diameter. The skins are green and bumpy.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Trumpet
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    The individual yellow trumpet-shaped flowers with a 5-parted corolla can be either male or female, with both found on the same plant.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Rough
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Oblong
    Orbicular
    Leaf Margin:
    Lobed
    Undulate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves may be up to 6 inches wide. They are lobed, with the lobes being shallow and irregular. The leaves are somewhat rounded with wavy margins and are hairy.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Round
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    Trailing stems that are soft and hairy with tendrils.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Lawn
    Landscape Theme:
    Edible Garden
    Attracts:
    Bees