If you had asked me before I became an avid gardener, how many different varieties of cucumbers they were I would have probably just said two. Since then I have learnt how to grow traditional cucumbers, how to grow cucamelons and even how to grow lemon cucumbers. Well, recently I discovered how to grow stuffing cucumbers.

The scientific name is Cyclanthera pedata, but they are also commonly known as kaywa, caihua, pepino and achuqcha. The seeds themselves are not only strange in shape, but very interesting. The vine itself can be around 40 feet long, this is why each vine produces way more fruit than the traditional cucumbers. The whole fruit itself is edible and hollow inside.

Here’s What You’ll Need

• stuffing cucumber seeds
• seedling tray or pots
• compost
• organic tomato fertilizer
• trellis (optional)

The best time to start planting your seeds would be around late Spring. You will need to prepare either some seedling pots or a tray with compost. The seeds are big enough to easily place a seed in each pot or compartment. Simply push it in about an inch or so and then you can cover them all with a layer of compost. Transplant to a well draining, loose soil in a sunny location

Basically these are grown the same way as you would do the traditional cucumbers. Remember to keep well watered at all times. Apply a mulch to preserve water and a tomato fertilizer around the time blooming begins. They are ready for harvest when they turn a yellow green color, although some prefer to enjoy them whilst they are still green.

You can get more information on the Gardening Know How blog, here…

How To Grow
Stuffing Cucumbers

You can watch the video below on How to grow Caigua from seeds…

You can watch the video below on Growing Cyclanthera Pedata, Caigua, Achocha…

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