Wild Cucumber
Echinocystis lobata
zones 4-7
8 seeds
Wild Cucumber is a vining native annual in the cucumber or gourd family (Cucurbitaceae). It occurs throughout much of North America growing along streambeds, swamps, and moist thickets or roadsides. As a fast-growing, warm season annual, wild cucumber grows from seed each year, germinating after the last frost. The large, oval cotyledons look just like that of a regular cucumber. The smooth, fleshy stems are grooved lengthwise. The large, alternate leaves are palmate with 3-5 pointed lobes. Each is borne on a long petiole. The branching vines can grow up to 25 or 30 feet long, climbing onto other foliage with curling, 3-forked tendrils that arise from the leaf axils. The tendrils coil when they touch anything to attach onto for support. Crowns of fragrant white flowers bloom during late spring through early summer.
Seeds can be planted directly in prepared growing area in autumn. For seed propagation sow early spring in a rich compost in a greenhouse, placing 2-3 seeds in each pot. The seed usually germinates within 1-2 weeks at 65-70°F. Thin the seedlings to the best plant in each pot. Plant them out after the last expected frosts in rich, moist soil.
Echinocystis lobata
zones 4-7
8 seeds
Wild Cucumber is a vining native annual in the cucumber or gourd family (Cucurbitaceae). It occurs throughout much of North America growing along streambeds, swamps, and moist thickets or roadsides. As a fast-growing, warm season annual, wild cucumber grows from seed each year, germinating after the last frost. The large, oval cotyledons look just like that of a regular cucumber. The smooth, fleshy stems are grooved lengthwise. The large, alternate leaves are palmate with 3-5 pointed lobes. Each is borne on a long petiole. The branching vines can grow up to 25 or 30 feet long, climbing onto other foliage with curling, 3-forked tendrils that arise from the leaf axils. The tendrils coil when they touch anything to attach onto for support. Crowns of fragrant white flowers bloom during late spring through early summer.
Seeds can be planted directly in prepared growing area in autumn. For seed propagation sow early spring in a rich compost in a greenhouse, placing 2-3 seeds in each pot. The seed usually germinates within 1-2 weeks at 65-70°F. Thin the seedlings to the best plant in each pot. Plant them out after the last expected frosts in rich, moist soil.
Echinocystis lobata
zones 4-7
8 seeds
Wild Cucumber is a vining native annual in the cucumber or gourd family (Cucurbitaceae). It occurs throughout much of North America growing along streambeds, swamps, and moist thickets or roadsides. As a fast-growing, warm season annual, wild cucumber grows from seed each year, germinating after the last frost. The large, oval cotyledons look just like that of a regular cucumber. The smooth, fleshy stems are grooved lengthwise. The large, alternate leaves are palmate with 3-5 pointed lobes. Each is borne on a long petiole. The branching vines can grow up to 25 or 30 feet long, climbing onto other foliage with curling, 3-forked tendrils that arise from the leaf axils. The tendrils coil when they touch anything to attach onto for support. Crowns of fragrant white flowers bloom during late spring through early summer.
Seeds can be planted directly in prepared growing area in autumn. For seed propagation sow early spring in a rich compost in a greenhouse, placing 2-3 seeds in each pot. The seed usually germinates within 1-2 weeks at 65-70°F. Thin the seedlings to the best plant in each pot. Plant them out after the last expected frosts in rich, moist soil.