Toad skin melon (Cucumis melo 'Santa Claus')

The skin of the toad melon is sweet

El toad skin melon It is a delicious fruit that helps us quench our thirst, something that is undoubtedly appreciated during the summer. However, it is interesting to know that although it is considered a fruit typical of the warmest season of the year, its season can also be extended until autumn; and if the climate is mild or a heated greenhouse is available, it is not uncommon to also obtain it in spring.

Its cultivation is not complicated, but it requires some knowledge so that no problems arise. And it is quite vulnerable to fungi, and although it must be watered often, excess watering damages its roots.

Origin and characteristics of the Piel de Sapo melon

The melon plant is sown in spring

Image - Wikimedia / Afro-Brazilian

Our protagonist is a plant whose scientific name is Cucumus melo 'Santa Claus'Therefore, how could it be otherwise, it is called Santa Claus melon or Christmas melon, as well as Piel de Sapo or Piel de Sapo melon. Its origin is found in Spain, where it is grown on some 30.000 hectares around the country, especially in the south of Madrid.

The characteristics are the same as those of other varieties, namely: It has a creeping bearing, the stems are soft and hairy, and the leaves are more or less palmate, green in color. Its flowers are small, around 1cm in diameter, and yellow in color.

The fruit is a berry of around 1kg in weight, which in the case of the toad skin is ellipsoidal, green with dark spots. The pulp is much lighter green, with a sweet taste but considerably less than the yellow canary melon, and contains yellowish seeds about 0,5cm long.

How is the cultivation of the Piel de Sapo melon?

To be successful in its cultivation, we recommend that you take into account the following:

Location

Like the rest of Cucumis, it is a plant that needs to be outside in full sun. It is important that a distance of at least 50cm is left between specimens to prevent the stems from becoming entangled.

Earth

  • Garden: they grow in alkaline, deep and fertile soils.
  • Flower pot: fill with substrate for urban garden (for sale here). In any case, you should know that in order for it to produce quality fruit, it is necessary that the container be as wide and deep as possible (about 60cm in diameter for more or less the same height, for example).

Irrigation

Melon flowers are yellow

Image - Flickr / Dinesh Valke

Irrigation must be frecuente, ensuring that the earth is always moist but not flooded. Also, avoid wetting the leaves, flowers and fruits, as they rot easily; In fact, for this reason it is not grown on terraces, but rather that it is preferred to make furrows next to it, or in the case of having it in a pot, install a home or purchased drip irrigation system.

Home drip
Related article:
Make your own homemade drip irrigation

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Throughout the season It is advisable to fertilize the Piel de Sapo melon with organic fertilizers, such as compost or guano for example. Just keep in mind that if you have it in a pot, it is preferable to use liquid fertilizers or, failing that, granules following the indications specified on the product packaging.

Multiplication

Multiplies by seedsNormally in spring but, as we said at the beginning, it can be done at any time of the year if you have a greenhouse. The step by step to follow is as follows:

  1. First, a seedling tray is filled (for sale here) and is watered consciously.
  2. Then, a maximum of two seeds are placed in each socket and covered with a thin layer of substrate.
  3. You can then spray a little with a fungicide spray that does NOT contain sulfur (it is sensitive to it) to prevent the appearance of fungi, which could damage the seeds.
  4. Finally, the seedbed is placed inside a normal tray -without holes- and everything is placed outside, in full sun.

Fill the tray underneath with water to water immediately, but avoid waterlogging the substrate. Usually about an inch of water at a time will suffice.

Pruning

It is convenient to prune it once a month in order to control its growth. For this, what is done is to let 4-5 true leaves grow and then remove 2-3. When side stems sprout, allow 5-6 leaves to grow and then remove 3-4.

You have more information here:

Melon
Related article:
How is the pruning of the melon?

Management

It is very sensitive to mushrooms, especially to powdery mildew, which is manifested by the appearance of one or more whitish or grayish spots on the surface of the leaves that are enlarging. In the end, those leaves dry up and die.

To prevent them, you have to pay from time to time, as this is how the immune system of the plant is strengthened. But if there are already symptoms, it is better to tear off those affected leaves, and treat with a systemic fungicide without sulfur.

Harvest

It is harvested when it has reached the final size (30cm long by 15cm high more or less) and has the characteristic color of the Piel de Sapo melon, initially in about 110 to 200 days after sowing.

Nutritional value of Piel de Sapo

The Piel de Sapo melon is a plant

Image - Flickr / Arthur Chapman

The Piel de Sapo melon serves as a light and refreshing dessert, but its nutritional value is also quite interesting. Per 100g, it is as follows:

  • Calories: 55%
  • Sodium: 15mg
  • Carbohydrates: 14g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Glucose: 7g
  • Proteins: 1g
  • Vitamins:
    • A: 17%
    • C: 52%

Conservation

Having tough skin, it is one of the most and best preserved. Before serving, it can be kept for a day or two at room temperature, but once cut you have to keep it in the fridge where you can stay up to six weeks.

Have a good seeding 🙂.


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