Cucumis SP, Tansania

Sowing and germination

The seeds are large, about 5 mm long, light cream, flat, numerous, enclosed in fruits with jelly-like green pulp. Before sowing, the seeds are soaked for 12-24 hours in warm water or in a seed-safe growth stimulant solution to speed up swelling and soften the shell. Once the skin becomes soft, the seeds are ready to plant. Sowing is carried out in a loose nutrient substrate consisting of equal parts of peat and sand or light garden soil with the addition of perlite. The seeds are buried 1-2 cm (no more than 3 cm for large ones), after which the soil is moistened with a spray bottle and the container is covered with film or glass to create a greenhouse effect. Germination is carried out in the light, but without direct sunlight, at a temperature of 24-30°C. It is important to maintain constant substrate moisture without waterlogging and carry out daily ventilation.