Cucumis melo Dudaim

The Queen Anne's Pocket Melon (Cucumis melo dudaim), also known as the Queen Anne's Melon or Dudaïm Cucumber, is an annual climbing plant distinguished by its remarkably aromatic small yellow-orange fruits. Appreciated for its ornamental qualities, this melon brings a unique touch to the garden, whether planted directly in the ground or in a pot on the terrace. 

The Queen Anne's Pocket Melon, belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family, originates from Central Asia, a region known for its rich diversity of flora. This plant with long climbing stems, equipped with tendrils, can reach up to 2 m in height. This variety has been particularly popular since the 19th century, as evidenced by its mention in the reference work Les plantes potagères by Vilmorin-Andrieu in 1883, where it is described as a horticultural curiosity.

Queen Anne's Pocket Melon produces small fruits, comparable to tennis balls, about 6 to 8 cm in diameter. Their yellow-orange skin is marked with fine stripes, giving the fruits a decorative appearance. The flesh is white and without notable taste, surrounded by a velvety skin. What truly sets this melon apart is its strong aroma, a fragrance that evokes summer and lingers long after harvest.

The discreet flowering consists of small yellow flowers typical of the Cucurbitaceae, which appear a few weeks after sowing. The plant is annual and requires approximately 80 to 90 days after sowing to produce its first fruits. Sow this melon under cover from April, or directly in place in May, after the last frosts. Harvest from July to September.

Harvesting: about four weeks are needed between fruit formation and the picking time. The sweet scent emitted by the fruit and the stalk about to detach indicate that they are ready. These small melons are mainly used for decoration. They release a strong and pleasant fragrance, which can be used to scent the house. They can be placed in baskets or bowls as table ornaments, or even hung in clusters.

Storage: Small pocket melons generally keep for 1 to 3 months after harvesting. Their thick skin and small size contribute to their good conservation, but the exact duration may vary depending on storage conditions. To prolong their pleasant fragrance, it is advisable to keep them in a dry and well-ventilated place, at room temperature or cooler.

Gardener's Tip: 
Melons are very prone to powdery mildew (a fungal disease leaving a white fuzz on the leaves). Carefully avoid watering the leaves or flowers. Melons are very nutrient-demanding fruits. Like cucumbers, watermelons, squash, etc., they deplete the soil's nutrients. Therefore, it is advisable not to grow this type of fruit-vegetable always in the same place or in succession, to avoid excessively impoverishing the soil.

In the garden, pair the pocket melon with morning glories, these plants will climb on trellises. Nasturtiums will complement the pocket melon well with their brightly coloured flowers and similar growth. You can also plant it alongside passion flowers, their exotic flowers will perfectly accompany the sweet fragrance of the melon.