How to successfully sow cyclanthera

Summary> Botanical Sheet> Seed Sheet> Cultivation SheetBOTANICAL SHEETCyclantheraClassification: Order: Violales Family: Cyclantheraceae Genus: Cyclanthera Species: Cyclanthera Latin name: Cyclanthera ssp.Description: Cyclanthera is a climbing plant that can grow up to 4 meters high, requiring support. Cyclanthera produces deliciously fragrant flowers, followed by an abundance of horn-shaped fruits. It is a real curiosity that will delight collectors and lovers of rare plants. A genuine ornamental vegetable, ideal for dressing up a fence or hiding the compost heap. Very productive, it produces many small fruits to be harvested regularly before their seeds form. Origin – History: Cyclanthera is a plant native to America. It was long believed to be native to Mexico, but it seems to be more native to Peru: Ceramics representing cyclanthera dating from the 3rd century AD have been found there. While cyclanthera is harvested in all South American countries, it is also found throughout Southeast Asia. There, it is very present on market stalls and in traditional food. It is cultivated up to 2000 m above sea level. Its first botanical description was made with the famous French botanist Louis Feuillée, describing it in 1714. Etymology: In Spanish, the domestic species and its fruit are called "caigua", "caihua" or "achocha" (from the Quechua achuqcha). In China, it is called "xiǎoquè guā" (小雀瓜). Synonyms and other names: Smooth bitter gourd, Climbing cucumber, Andean cucumber, Achocha. Life cycle: Annual*. Reproduction method: Sexual*. Pollination type: Preferential outcrossing* but possible self-crossing*. Taste: Cyclanthera has a taste very similar to cucumber, broad bean, and gherkin. Nutritional values: Cyclanthera is said to act as a hypotensive and help reduce cholesterol in the blood. Anecdotes: One of the curiosities of this variety is that it has a subtle way of dispersing itself. When the fruits have reached maturity, they open and eject about ten seeds several meters away. These black seeds have a rather surprising shape. Thus, it can reseed itself naturally, which makes the species relatively permanent in the garden. It is therefore advisable not to forget to pick old fruits to avoid this dispersal. Main subspecies and varieties: There are about forty species of cyclanthera, the most commercialized species in France are: Cyclanthera pedata (Caigua) and Cyclanthera edulis. SOWING INSTRUCTIONSSuccessfully sowing cyclantheraDifficulty level (between 1 and 3): 2. Periods: From April to May. Type of sowing: Sow in rows*. Weight per thousand seeds (WPS) for the species: About 70 grams. Density: 1 plant for 2 or 3 m².Locations and conditions: Under cover: Sow in April, in a pot, in a heated greenhouse. Open ground / without protection: Sow in rows, in place, from May, if the climate is mild and frost is no longer a risk. Soil preparation: Add compost before planting. Germination temperature: From 15 to 20°C. Need for a cold exposure Not necessary. Soaking*: Soaking allows for more uniform and faster emergence, but is not essential. Spacing: In the row: 1.5 meters in the row. Between rows: 1.5 meters between rows. Depth: 2 cm deep. Emergence time: 8 days. Thinning: No thinning is necessary. Transplanting: Transplant the plants in pots into the ground when the last frosts have passed.GROWING INFORMATIONCultivating cyclantheraEnvironmental context: Climate zone and hardiness: Cyclanthera adapts to all types of French climates. Soil type: Deep, humus-rich soil. pH: Neutral soil. Humidity: Well-drained soil. Exposure: Sunny and warm. Temperature: Cyclanthera is quite sensitive to low temperatures and does not survive below 2°C. Crop rotation: It is advisable to wait at least 3 years before replanting cyclanthera in the same location. Companion plants: Cyclanthera appreciates the company of garlic, dill, asparagus, beetroot, cabbage, chamomile, carrot, celery, chives, shallot, broad bean, bean, lettuce, corn, onion and pea. Maintenance and vigilance: Difficulty level (between 1 and 3): 1. Time spent: Little. Technical gestures: Install the cyclanthera near a support such as a wall, a fence or a mesh net. It will cling to it alone with its tendrils, as the cyclanthera can measure up to 4 meters in height. Climate risks / Frost resistance: Cyclanthera does not survive frost. Sowing: Sow in April in pots in a heated greenhouse, or in May in place, 1.5 meters apart in all directions. Transplant the plants in pots when the risk of frost has passed. Maintenance / care: Transplanting: Transplant the plants in pots in the ground when the last frosts have passed. Watering: Frequency: Regular watering. Quantity: Moderate watering, but abundant watering at planting. Period: Throughout the growing season. Tools: Watering can. Weeding: No weeding is necessary if mulch* is used. Hoeing* / weeding* / earthing up* / mulching*: : Apply mulch* after planting. Winter protection: Cyclanthera is not grown in winter and therefore does not require winter protection. Harvesting: Part of the plant: The fruits of the cyclanthera are eaten. Period: From July until the first frosts. Stage: Between 90 and 120 days after sowing. Harvest the fruits relatively young. Average yield: About 2 to 8 kg per plant. This figure depends on the varieties and growing conditions. Conservation and storage: Method: Store the cyclanthera in the vegetable drawer, frozen or like pickles in vinegar. Duration: In the vegetable drawer, the cyclanthera will keep for 1 week. Frozen or in vinegar, it will keep for several months. Use: Culinary: Pick the cyclanthera as soon as they reach the size of an olive and preserve them in vinegar like capers or pickles. They can also be mixed into mixed salads. It is best to pick it when it is still immature, while the skin is still green. Its flesh is then white and tender, its flavor is comparable to that of cucumber and broad bean. Cooked, it can be prepared in the Peruvian style, that is, stuffed with poultry for example. It can also easily be incorporated into a preparation such as vegetable ratatouille. Sautéed raw, like many vegetables, it will retain its flavor and crunch. It is best not to overcook it. Cooking it "al dente" will be perfect for making it a side dish, like snow peas or green beans. It is best to eat the fruits when they are seedless. Otherwise, remove the seeds before cooking. Other: Cyclanthera is said to have beneficial properties in the treatment of coronary and more generally heart disease. It is also recommended for the treatment of diabetes thanks to its regulatory action on lipid metabolism and blood sugar. It is also reported to have a positive effect in reducing obesity. However, it is not recommended to consume cyclanthera fruits during pregnancy. The information reported here is for informational purposes only and cannot replace medical advice from health professionals. Consumption of the fruits of the