How to grow Achocha

Cyclanthera pedata

Full Sun
OR
Partial Sun
High

Water regularly, about the same as you would tomatoes.
Quick growing cucumber like vine

Growing Achocha from seed

Plant the seeds inside or under cover, two or three to a 7cm pot. Use potting compost with some added vermiculite to improve drainage. keep well ventilated to prevent damping off.
Pot on as the plants grow and slowly expose to less protected conditions before planting out.

Ensure a distance of 1.95 inches (5.0 cm) between seeds when sowing - look to sow at a depth of approximately 0.2 inches (0.5 cm).

By our calculations*, you should look at sowing Achocha about 30 days before your last frost date .

Transplanting Achocha

Plant out at about the same time you would plant out tomatoes, after low temperatures are reliably above 45 F.
Choose a bright and sunny spot and provide support canes for the plants to grow on

Ensure that temperatures are mild (minimum night temperatures should be around 12°C / 54°F) and all chance of frost has passed before planting out, as Achocha is a tender plant.

By our calculations*, you should look at planting out Achocha about 30 days after your last frost date.

Harvesting Achocha

The immature fruits may be eaten raw or pickled. Unlike many cucurbitaceous fruits, the caigua become quite hollow as it matures, and the mature fruit is often eaten stuffed. The young shoots and leaves may also be eaten as greens.¹

When cooked, the achocha, can be compared to a sweet green pepper.

How long does Achocha take to grow?

These estimates for how long Achocha takes to sprout, grow and harvest are from real observations from real gardeners, right around the world.

Days to Germination How long does it take Achocha to germinate?: 6 days
Average 6 days | Min 6 days | Max 7 days (2)
Days to Transplant How long until I can plant out Achocha?: + 29 days
Average 29 days | Min 29 days | Max 29 days (1)
Days to Maturity How long until Achocha is ready for harvest / bloom?: + days
Average days | Min days | Max days (0)
Total Growing Days How long does it take to grow Achocha?: = days

When should I plant Achocha?

Our when to plant Achocha estimates are relative to your last frost date.

When to sow The number of days to sow Achocha before or after your last frost date.: 30 days before Last Frost Date
When to plant out The number of days to plant out Achocha before or after your last frost date.: 30 days after Last Frost Date

Other names for Achocha

Achoccha, Cyclanthera, Caygua, Caihua, Cayua, Achokcha, Slipper gourd, Lady's slipper, Sparrow gourd, Stuffing cucumber, Korila, Olijfkomkommer (Dutch), Mexicaanse augurk (Dutch), Caigua, pepino andino, wild cucumber

Cyclanthera pedata (L.) Schrad. var. pedata

Footnotes

¹ Purdue Horticulture Article World Cucurbits

² University of Flordia-Achoccha PDF