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Exploding Cucumber in the GardenTags plant encyclopedia

Cyclanthera explodens

 

Exploding Cucumber

Cucumber is the common name for a widely cultivated creeping vine bearing cucumiform fruits and is of the same family as melon. The 'Exploding Cucumber' is related to the common cucumber. The fruits are small and spiky, and, when rie, explode to release the seeds. Fruits are said to be edible, but the plant is usually grown for the novelty value. Be careful, when the fruits ripen, that you - or anyone else, (particularly children) - don't get hit in the eye by the projectile seeds

Contributed by @tiggrx

 
plant Features
  • Exploding Cucumber likes full sun to partial shade

    Full sun to partial shade

  • Exploding Cucumber likes occasional watering

    Occasional watering

  • Exploding Cucumber is not frost hardy

    Not Frost hardy

  • Exploding Cucumber likes rich and free draining

    Rich and free draining

 
plant information

Common name

Exploding Cucumber

Latin name

Cyclanthera explodens

type

Vegetable

family

Cucurbitaceae

ph

5.0 - 7.0 Acid - Neutral

  • Light

    Exploding Cucumber likes full sun to partial shade

    Full sun to partial shade

  • Frost

    Exploding Cucumber is not frost hardy

    Not Frost hardy

  • Soil

    Exploding Cucumber likes rich and free draining

    Rich and free draining

  • Water

    Exploding Cucumber likes occasional watering

    Occasional watering

Plant & bloom calendar

  •  
    Best time to plant
  •  
    When to harvest

full grown dimensions

The size of a fully grown Exploding Cucumber is 0.60meters x 1.20meters 0.60 M 1.20 M

Cyclanthera explodens

Cucumber is the common name for a widely cultivated creeping vine bearing cucumiform fruits and is of the same family as melon. The 'Exploding Cucumber' is related to the common cucumber. The fruits are small and spiky, and, when rie, explode to release the seeds. Fruits are said to be edible, but the plant is usually grown for the novelty value. Be careful, when the fruits ripen, that you - or anyone else, (particularly children) - don't get hit in the eye by the projectile seeds


Planting

From Mid Spring TO Early Summer

Plant out seedlings that have germinated in heat into their permanent position in the greenhouse in mid spring in rich well draining soil. For outdoor varieties, harden off when the weather and soil are warm enough, and then plant out into humus-rich soil, in a sunny site, spacing them 3' apart.

 

Propagation by seed

From Early Spring TO Late Spring

Sow cucumber seed in heat under glass in early to mid spring for planting out when risk of frost has passed. Sow the seeds on edge in compost, and water, then keep compost moist until seedlings emerge. Try to maintain a temperature of at least 15 deg. Plant out after seedlings have their first true leaves, and when the soil and weather are warm enough

 
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