Author Topic: help with this miniature cucumber  (Read 2316 times)

Dirt Diva

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help with this miniature cucumber
« on: July 14, 2020, 01:32:04 PM »
At least I THINK it is a cucumber ... this vine mysteriously appeared on my fence, these mini cukes?? are delicious.

Can anyone tell me what it is?

TIA
P J the Dirt Diva





« Last Edit: July 14, 2020, 01:42:09 PM by Dirt Diva »
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Dirt Diva

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Re: help with this miniature cucumber
« Reply #1 on: July 14, 2020, 01:32:35 PM »

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Daintree

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Re: help with this miniature cucumber
« Reply #2 on: July 17, 2020, 05:59:49 PM »
You have a wild thing! That is Melothria pendula, or creeping cucmber.  A great edible weed. At least, some folks say it is edible, others say it is poisonous. I have eaten them and am still here, but I wouldnt eat a gallon of them, just in case.
May be invasive...

Cheers,
Carolyn

Dirt Diva

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Re: help with this miniature cucumber
« Reply #3 on: July 20, 2020, 09:57:06 PM »
Thanks Carolyn
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Fleep

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Re: help with this miniature cucumber
« Reply #4 on: July 21, 2020, 03:03:03 AM »
They a considered a Laxative if you eat them when they mature to their black color. So don’t eat those. Other then that, they are delicious. I tried growing their tropical cousins from seeds Melothria Scabra. But so far never got them to fruit. Maybe someday. Vines look identical except the fruit look like miniature watermelons on the outside and mature to a yellow instead of black.

Mike T

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Re: help with this miniature cucumber
« Reply #5 on: September 20, 2020, 07:39:13 AM »
They are good to eat and are widespread and commonly used. They taste like cucumbers with a hint of lemon and are great in salads.

Satya

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Re: help with this miniature cucumber
« Reply #6 on: September 20, 2020, 08:40:49 PM »
Wild cucumbers are perfectly edible when they're still crispy and green. As soon as the fruit starts maturing, gets slightly soft and changes color to darker, it start to be.... well, a laxative  ;D

Dirt Diva

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Re: help with this miniature cucumber
« Reply #7 on: September 20, 2020, 11:06:49 PM »
Thanks to all for the clarification ....
I wonder if this will continue to be along my fence line after winter. I do not see where it is actually planted, but it is all over my lime tree so I am going to try to pull it all out as soon that the D*****mn tropical storm Beta blows itself out and the rain stops.

I hope everyone is safe and happy.

P J, the Dirt Diva
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Mike T

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Re: help with this miniature cucumber
« Reply #8 on: September 29, 2020, 03:58:08 AM »


Calling Houston the eagle has landed and just making sure it is in fact the same vegie as on the handsome paw.

Dirt Diva

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Re: help with this miniature cucumber
« Reply #9 on: September 29, 2020, 06:00:26 PM »


Calling Houston the eagle has landed and just making sure it is in fact the same vegie as on the handsome paw.
Hi Mike,
well the leaf looks different, my leaves are more oak shaped, but the wild cuke looks the same.What is really strange is that I cannot find its roots, it just climbs and climbs ...  I was warned not to eat it after it turns purplish black so if you're gonna fly with the eagles, don't mess with the turkeys
P J, the Dirt Diva  LMAO
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Mike T

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Re: help with this miniature cucumber
« Reply #10 on: September 30, 2020, 04:43:57 AM »
Mine never go black and always have oak leaf foliage. I wonder if it is a climate thing. Is it true that Houston has never reached 110f before, but can be as low as 5f?

Pokeweed

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Re: help with this miniature cucumber
« Reply #11 on: September 30, 2020, 08:39:17 AM »
About 20 years ago we had a heat wave and got to 115F for several days. It was not pleasant. That was with our regular 90ish % humidity. Normal Summers we are in the high 90s most of the time. The coldest I've experienced here was about 14° for several days about 30 years ago. Normally we only get a few days in the high 20s F. D

Mike T

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Re: help with this miniature cucumber
« Reply #12 on: October 04, 2020, 09:30:35 PM »
Heya DD is it true you have no room left in the yard and the Houston term for that situation is " outa space"?

Pokeweed

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Re: help with this miniature cucumber
« Reply #13 on: October 05, 2020, 06:41:08 AM »
Hi Mike, If you mean me, I have plenty of room, but that term would be correct if not! D

Mike T

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Re: help with this miniature cucumber
« Reply #14 on: October 05, 2020, 09:39:32 AM »
Yes true and a student of fitting things in would be a space cadet.