most unusual produce

[kellygirrl]

Oh come on, haven't you ever entertained the idea of getting a cutting from a neighbor, at night? JK!

Well, I have whistled at the sky nonchalantly while snagging a neighbor's weeping willow for rooting hormone; I've stolen fallen-going-to-be-wasted-anyway apples (yes, under the cover of night, looking quickly from left to right); I'm going to ask permission before I "reverse share" some variegated aegepodium from a house I spotted last summer; but Mad Dr Frankenstein of the plants, I haven't gone there yet :/ . Though my gardening partner is always wanting to graft things to things (boys ). I've yet to see him laugh deliriously in a lightening storm while shouting "IT'S ALIVE!" More like, "Hmm, that didn't work."

So seriously, I would like to hear about what you do, how it goes, and if you get caught stealing paw paw branches from your neighbors

And yes! We should all steal cuttings from each other day or night, even if it's just to root them the regular 'ol way

 

[kellygirrl]

My GD and I are planting loofas ( loufa) this year. She wants to make soap and give it with loofas for Christmas gifts....we'll see! lol

Yay! Me too! I don't know your zone, but you might want to start them good and early; they're like 130 days to maturity, I think. I want to eat some while they're young and tender, too.

 

[setter4]

My GD and I are planting loofas ( loufa) this year. She wants to make soap and give it with loofas for Christmas gifts....we'll see! lol

Yay! Me too! I don't know your zone, but you might want to start them good and early; they're like 130 days to maturity, I think. I want to eat some while they're young and tender, too.

I think I'm actually 6a but I use 5b just to be on the safe side. I am really close to the line. lol
I thought I'd start some inside the middle of April and plant some direct as soon as I can get them in.
Have you grown them before? I have instructions that the guy I bought them from sent me. I'd be happy to share them if you want.

 

[sred98]

Has anyone tried the Jelly Melon from Baker Creek? Cucumis metuliferius. Supposedly easy to grow, the pulp looks like green jello, and tastes like banana-lime. I just ordered it, because my kids like interesting things. I hope they aren't disappointed! I'd love to hear about it...

Shelly

 

[setter4]

Has anyone tried the Jelly Melon from Baker Creek? Cucumis metuliferius. Supposedly easy to grow, the pulp looks like green jello, and tastes like banana-lime. I just ordered it, because my kids like interesting things. I hope they aren't disappointed! I'd love to hear about it...

Shelly

OMG! Sounds like that Green Slime stuff. I'm not sure I'm ready for these. Hope the DGD doesn't see them. lol

 

[sred98]

Has anyone tried the Jelly Melon from Baker Creek? Cucumis metuliferius. Supposedly easy to grow, the pulp looks like green jello, and tastes like banana-lime. I just ordered it, because my kids like interesting things. I hope they aren't disappointed! I'd love to hear about it...

Shelly

OMG! Sounds like that Green Slime stuff. I'm not sure I'm ready for these. Hope the DGD doesn't see them. lol

LOL! That is exactly why we are getting them! :tools My kids love stuff like that! Supposedly it's pretty hardy, too? I guess I'll find out! I just put in a pretty big order through Baker Creek...might be interesting in trading some heirloom veggies for some others if anyone is interested!

Shelly

 

[kellygirrl]

Have you grown them before? I have instructions that the guy I bought them from sent me. I'd be happy to share them if you want.

Thanks! I'm 5b and I'd like to know what someone thinks is optimum starting time for the luffa. Since it's important not to let them get root bound, I wondered if I started one in a big enough pot, would it be better to transplant a bigger one, or do they get more stressed getting moved when they're older?

 

[kellygirrl]

Has anyone tried the Jelly Melon from Baker Creek? Cucumis metuliferius.

Shelly

I grew the African horned melon from Richters--same thing. (See if your kids like that name, too . I think I needed to start it a lot sooner here in 5b and not crowd it so insanely for better size/production. It did last though, into frost. The funny looking fruits are a fun novelty that keep well. It tasted not unpleasant, neutral like a slightly fruity gelatenous cuke maybe inside a tough horny skin; but since I didn't have a horned jelly belly party with kids, I forgot to eat it.

 

[sred98]

Has anyone tried the Jelly Melon from Baker Creek? Cucumis metuliferius.

Shelly

I grew the African horned melon from Richters--same thing. (See if your kids like that name, too . I think I needed to start it a lot sooner here in 5b and not crowd it so insanely for better size/production. It did last though, into frost. The funny looking fruits are a fun novelty that keep well. It tasted not unpleasant, neutral like a slightly fruity gelatenous cuke maybe inside a tough horny skin; but since I didn't have a horned jelly belly party with kids, I forgot to eat it.

Thanks for the reply! I think as long as it doesn't taste totally disgusting, they will love it! What do the flowers look like? I might grow it around the pool. Do you remember the color? Hopefully purple! LOL!

As far as your luffa gourd question, they are really easy to grow from seeds. I think just the regular peat pots would work fine. You know the kind I mean? They look like regular pots, but made out of peat. Not the pellets. I just ordered some of those seeds, too. I forgot to save some.

Shelly

 

[kellygirrl]

Shelly,

Re luffas, I'm just thinking they'll fruit and ripen more if they have more time, but if if they're too mature when I transplant them, they won't like that either... Yeah, I'll just start them in those larger decomposing pots in April sometime.

Re horned jelly melon beans :/ , don't even remember the flowers. The fence was so crowded, I probably didn't even know I had them when they were flowering. (I am the most disastrous gardener I ever met.) But prickly little balls on a vine, I don't care who y'are, that's cute.

PS I've seen commercially grown "horny melons" as I think Whole Foods called them, and they were probably 3 times as big as mine ( :/ ?). Due to some mythical growing zone no doubt.