Just for Fun: Exploding Cucumber Challenge!

Gardening to 'grow your own food' from square foot to half an acre !!
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Minxy
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Just for Fun: Exploding Cucumber Challenge!

Post by Minxy »

So! Last year I heard about this particular cucumber and it amused me immensely, as well as few other plot holders. I obtained some seeds and distributed them, but none of us were successful in getting them to germinate. Anyway, if anyone is up for giving them a go that would be great. Do please let us know if you suss it out. :)

I can totally recommend the 'Musquee de Provence' winter squash, 'Special Swiss' sweetcorn and the 'Cherokee trail of tear' climbing french bean. The beans are purple and great in soups and casseroles. The flavour is something to be tasted.

As for the exploding cucumbers, we're guessing that we may have done something wrong to kickstart them. They actually come with a warning:

'WARNING: DANGER OF EYE INJURY! HARD SEED IS EJECTED AT GREAT SPEED. This sounds really silly, but it is a real danger and we recommend that YOU SHOULD WEAR EYE PROTECTION WHILE HANDLING FRUIT.'

So obviously, responsible planting and management is a must. My curiosity is piqued! :)
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Minxy
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Re: Just for Fun: Exploding Cucumber Challenge!

Post by Minxy »

An interesting video on this natural subject:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOIHzl2h9a8
"If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need."
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Minxy
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Re: Just for Fun: Exploding Cucumber Challenge!

Post by Minxy »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAgnJDJN4VA" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Mo
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Re: Just for Fun: Exploding Cucumber Challenge!

Post by Mo »

Not sure what te second video was (didn't watch it all).
The first plant in the first video is easier to grow! Himalayan Balsam. Very interesting, very pretty, VERY INVASIVE. Tempting to plant it but hard to get rid of. Perhaps you should be glad that the cucumber wasn't easy to germinate.
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lancashire lass
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Re: Just for Fun: Exploding Cucumber Challenge!

Post by lancashire lass »

Cyclanthera explodens is a type of achocha which is related to melons and cucumbers but fruits tend to be hollow (like a pepper / chilli) I didn't grow the exploding cucumber one, but did grow a variety called Fat Baby - I entered them on a DTL vegetable photo competition (click on here) Once established, they grow like triffids and produced thousands of fruits. To be honest, the hype about tasting more like a green pepper was a bit of an exaggeration - if there was a food shortage, I'm sure I'd happily eat them but not something I'd go out of my way to grow again.

As for starting them off, the first year I struggled too, the second time was a doddle. They definitely need good warmth for germination and sunshine to boost growth. They are surprisingly not fussy once actively growing - apart from the initial fertilizer in spring, I didn't faff around with special tomato feed or anything later on. Personally, I wouldn't sow the seeds until about mid-May as they grow quite quickly. They readily self seed too which you can see in this diary post (easier to scroll right down to the bottom of that page which is photo heavy, and it's the last 2 photos - where they had self seeded in the rhubarb bed, and a close up with flowers and tendrils)

a couple of youtube vids:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dl9fJLiZexg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tu44KiWXjHk
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Minxy
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Re: Just for Fun: Exploding Cucumber Challenge!

Post by Minxy »

Hello,

Please ignore the second video that I posted, seems that I posted the wrong link!

Thank you LL, that's helpful information. I will let the others know, should they want to try again.
"If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need."
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