By Zyance (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Seeds acquired from ECHO by joining as a member of their ECHO community.
Common names include: Common names: caigua, achocha, achoccha, achojcha, caiba, caihua, caygua, concombre grimpant, korila, kaikua, lady's slipper, pepino de comer, pepino de rellenar, pepino andino, slipper gourd, stuffing cucumber, taimia de comer, taimia de cipo, wild cucumber
Cyclanthera pedata is a ANNUAL growing to 15 feet. It is frost tender and is in flower from August to September. The flowers are monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and are pollinated by Insects.
Young fruits are eaten raw or cooked and have a similar taste to cucumbers. Older fruit usually is stuffed and cooked.
Suitable for sandy soils. It can grow in semi-shade. It prefers moist soil. Vines need support.
I will keep everyone updated on this new summer crop.
Read more here.
Mentioned in the book Lost Crops of the Incas. SEE BELOW for the link to the free online copy of this book.
UPDATE: I have tried to grow this several times now, in both winter and summer, and each time it dies from a disease similar to downy mildew.
