Horned melon.

En un coup d'œil

Niveau d'entretien

Moyenne

Type de plante

Annual vine

Lumière

Full sun

Lumière en intérieur

Soleil direct

Arrosage

Tous les 2 à 4 jours

Taille adulte

6 to 10 feet

Croissance

Rapide

Rusticité

USDA 10 à 12

Floraison

Mid to late summer

Entretien

Provide a sturdy trellis for the vines to climb as they grow quite quickly. Keep an eye on the soil moisture and watch for wilting, which indicates the plant is thirsty. Harvest the fruit once the skin turns a deep, vibrant orange.

Arrosage

Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged during the peak growing season.

Engrais

Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer every two weeks to support fruit production.

Taille

Trim back excessive vine growth to encourage better airflow and fruit development.

Rempotage

Since this is typically grown as an annual, you will likely start fresh from seed each season.

Sol

Well draining, fertile soil

pH du sol

6.0 to 6.8

Température

15 à 35°C

Humidité

50 à 80%

Sécurité

Humains

The plant is generally non-toxic, but the bitter compounds in unripe fruit can cause digestive upset.

Enfants

The sharp spines on the fruit skin can scratch delicate skin, so handle with care around small children.

Allergènes de contact

The stems and leaves are covered in fine, stiff hairs that can cause mechanical skin irritation.

Allergènes aéroportés

There is no significant evidence of airborne allergens associated with this plant.

Comestibilité

Ensure fruit is fully ripe and orange before consumption as immature green fruit may contain bitter cucurbitacins.

Comment l'identifier

• Bright orange skin with sharp spines
• Green, jelly like interior flesh
• Large, five lobed fuzzy leaves
• Yellow, star shaped small flowers
• Vigorous vining growth habit

Hauteur

0,3 à 0,6m

Envergure

1,5 à 3m

Feuilles

green, deciduous

Fleurs

yellow, 1 à 2cm

Fruits

orange, red, Late summer to autumn

Problèmes courants

• Powdery mildew — A fungal infection that appears as white, dusty spots on the leaves.
• Aphids — Small insects that suck sap from new growth and can spread viral diseases.

La cultiver

Multiplication

seed

Quand planter

Spring

Plant near tall, sturdy crops to maximize vertical space in the garden.

Bonnes associations

• Maïs — Corn provides a natural trellis for the vines to climb.
• Capucine — Nasturtiums can act as a trap crop for aphids.

À éloigner de

• concombre — They share similar pests and diseases, which can lead to rapid spread if planted together.

Espèces similaires

• concombre — They are closely related members of the same genus.
• Melon — They share similar growth habits and environmental requirements.

Science

Famille

Cucurbitaceae

Genre

Cucumis

Ordre

Cucurbitales

Classe

Magnoliopsida

Région d'origine

Sub-Saharan Africa

Préservation

It is a common, widespread species and is not considered to be of conservation concern.

It thrives in hot, arid environments by using its deep root system to access moisture.

Intérêt pour la faune

nectar source

Pollinisateurs

abeilles, papillons

Utilisations

ornamental, culinary, novelty fruit

Taxonomie vérifiée avec le GBIF.

Ce qu'on demande souvent

How do I know when to harvest?

Harvest when the skin turns a vibrant, deep orange color.

Can I grow this in a container?

Yes, but it requires a large container and a sturdy trellis to support its vigorous vines.

D'où vient le nom

The name Cucumis is the Latin word for cucumber, while metuliferus means bearing boundary markers or small pillars, referring to the fruit's spines.

Bon à savoir

• The fruit flesh has a refreshing flavor reminiscent of cucumber, zucchini, and kiwi.
• It is native to sub-Saharan Africa.
• The plant is highly drought-tolerant once established.
• It is sometimes used as a decorative element in fruit bowls due to its unique appearance.