PAINTED SERPENT CUCUMBER SEEDS

Cucumis melo var. flexuosus

There is a great deal of overlap between melons and cucumbers throughout horticultural and literary history. Which should hardly come as a surprise, considering how closely related they are, botanically speaking. Painted Serpent is a relic of this ancient confusion: a cucumber that is botanically, by contemporary standards, a melon.

Painted Serpent is a selection of what we call Armenian Cucumbers. According to historian William Woys Weaver, they were brought from Armenia to Italian gardens in the 15th century. Since that time gardeners have grown it for both culinary and ornamental purposes, sometimes going to great lengths to prevent cross-pollination with other cucumbers. But it will never cross with a cucumber. Because it is a melon.

The flavor of these vegetables is that of a delicious sweet cucumber. For almost all intents and purposes, this is a cucumber. However, unlike a true cucumber, it cannot be thoroughly cooked or processed without turning to mush.

Allowed to grow unfettered, fruits will reach up to 3' in length, often coiling up like snakes. The plants are best trellised and fruit picked for eating when no more than 1'. The skin is tender and edible, and when young is lightly pubescent. There is no need to peel these vegetables. Indeed, Painted Serpent appears to have already been expertly trimmed for use as crudités.

Grow these plants as you would any other melon: sow directly into amended garden soil once the weather is reliably warm, or start indoors about 4 weeks before the last spring frost. Requires full sun, warmth, and lots of moisture for best production. If true cucumbers are a challenge in your garden, this species is definitely worth a try.

Packet contains at least 30 seeds.