I was reading that these two should not be planted too close together because if they cross polinate the fruit would be bitter tasting.
How far apart is a safe distance to plant them? I'm growing the Armenian Cucumbers if that makes a difference.
Thanks,
Pam
Cucumbers and Cantelope
I could be wrong, but I don't think cukes and melons would be able to cross-pollinate, and in any event it should only affect the seeds, not the current fruits, it they did. I'm sure someone else will have a more definitive answer for you, though! Where did you find that information?
I read it in Better Homes and Garden's Gardening Book, it said if planted to closely they might cross polinate and the fruits would be bitter. I have an Armenian Cucumber that is growing like crazy in our 110 degree heat and a cantelope plant. I want to try to get some more of the cucumbers growing since they seem to like these temps but not sure how close i can plant them. Here's a pic I took yesterday evening of my cucumber. As you can see the heat isn't bothering this one a bit even though its growing by a hot block wall.
Pam
This message was edited Jul 2, 2010 8:51 AM
The Armenian cucumber is a canteloupe so they do cross readily with regular canteloupes. To prevent crossing by distance you would need a quarter to a half mile. The cross only affects the seed and subsequently the next generation. If you want to save seed, bag a couple of female blossoms and hand pollinate. If you are not saving seed, don't worry about it. Regular cucumbers (C. sativus) will not cross with canteloupes (C. melo).
You beat me to it, fd...I was soooo excited that I finally knew something to share!
Me too Sequee me too.
Me three - lol. Farmerdill to the rescue!
the book was talking about regular cucumbers and cantelope I'm sure. I knew the Armenian cucumbers were in the melon family, I just never think about things cross polinating. I was always more interested in companion planting to think about what shouldn't be planted together. Well my cantelope is just getting started and hasn't bloomed yet, if it tries to bloom before I get my seeds from my cucumber, I'll just pick its flowers off right away. Hopefully that will just make it grow bigger.....
Once your cucumber is pollinated and producing a fruit your worries are over. They can only cross when there are flowers at the same time for pollen to be transferred from. Does that make sense? I know what I'm trying to say but it's not coming out right - lol.