Cucamelons: A tiny fruit with big potential for Gauteng farmer

Cucamelons (Melothria scabra) are native to Mexico and Central America, and globally they are gaining popularity among growers and consumers alike. As the demand for novel, nutritious, and visually appealing produce continues to grow, cucamelons offer producers an attractive opportunity to diversify their operations and access niche markets.

According to literature, these plants are part of the Cucurbitaceae family and were cultivated in Central America long before the arrival of Europeans.

Cucamelons remain relatively unknown in South Africa and are rarely found on store shelves. Seeking a niche product to diversify income and strengthen resilience in an unpredictable agricultural market, KleinKraak Boerdery began assessing the crop’s viability as an emerging speciality product.

According to Rina Meijer from KleinKraak Boerdery, she saw a photo of cucamelons on Pinterest.

“This triggered my interest and I did some research. I decided to buy seed and did a small trial and, after a year, decided to plant a bigger area with cucamelons.”

Based in Elandsfontein between Bapsfontein and Kempton Park in Gauteng, KleinKraak offers not only fresh cucamelons, but also a range of pickled products. The cucamelons are produced on 1ha on the farm.

At the moment, Meijer sells the pickled products at the Pretoria Farmers’ Market as well as on their website. The fresh cucamelons are delivered to Tshwane Market, which distributes them to greengrocers and retail shops.

She says fresh cucamelons are popular in salads, drinks, or simply as a tasty snack. The pickled version, she notes, is often used in Mexican dishes and appetisers.

“The biggest difference between the two lies in the taste and texture. Fresh cucamelons have a firm crunch and are reminiscent of cucumber, while the pickled fruits develop a stronger, sour taste.”

According to Meijer, successful cucamelon production requires an understanding of the crop’s growth habits, environmental requirements, and management practices.

“Although cucamelons are relatively easy to grow, high yields and quality fruit depend on suitable site selection, trellising, irrigation, pest management, and harvesting practices,” Meijer points out.

As expected of a plant originating from Central America, cucamelons like warmth and do best at temperatures above 20°C. Meijer, however, says that the plants thrive in temperatures around 30°C. “Cucamelons do not like cold temperatures or frost. These are plants adapted to warm temperatures.”

Meijer plants the seed directly in the soil under irrigation. She is lucky in the sense that she gets cattle manure from her neighbour. She works this into the soil for nutrients.

Cucamelons take a while to germinate and grow slowly during the first weeks. According to Meijer, she plants at the beginning of September and after a month the small plants are about 1cm in height.

“It takes about three to four months before I can harvest. If I plant at the beginning of September, I can only start harvesting in December.”

The plant is not frost-resistant. “At the beginning of May, when we receive the first frost of the season, the plants die. Although they are perennials and can grow back in the following season, I remove the dead plants as well as the roots. I will then plant new seed in September again.”

In the past, she made her own seedlings but found that it works better to sow seed directly in the soil using organic compost. She mentions that once the plant starts to climb on the trellises, it gains momentum.

These vines benefit from a sturdy trellis and will climb readily, making them perfect for vertical gardens. Fruits are ready to harvest in about 65 to 75 days and should be hand-picked when firm and about the size of a grape or olive to maintain quality and encourage continuous production.

During the growing season, she irrigates on a daily basis, applying approximately 500ml of water.

KleinKraak has developed a true love for this unique fruit and sees it as their mission to share the cucamelon with more South Africans. From the beginning, it was important to them to do things the right way. That is why they focus on combining quality and sustainability. The end result is delicious handmade products.

From planting to harvest, each fruit is handled with great care to ensure that it delivers the quality for which KleinKraak has become known. It is precisely this attention that helps to turn an unusual fruit into an exceptional product.

The seed is available from Living Seeds at livingseeds.co.za/cucamelons.

For more information, contact Rina Meijer [email protected], [email protected].