Organic Answers Column – July 19, 2023 – Painted Serpent Cucumbers

Striped Serpent Cucumber

Another excellent tip came in from a listener, this time about the Striped Serpent Cucumber aka Armenian Striped Cucumber or Painted Serpent Cucumber, that is an heirloom, open-pollinated variety of melon that originated in Armenia as the name suggests. This Persian-style cucumber is also commonly referred to as snake melon, as it is more closely-related to a honeydew melon than an actual cucumber. The “painted serpent” name relates to the long, curved appearance of the fruit, that can be up to a yard long. Pick them before they are too long and the skins don’t need to be peeled, they’re tender and tasty.

The unique-looking fruits that are best harvested at 10-18″ long. They are long and slender with slight ridges among the alternating light green and dark green stripes. This variety is said to be very easy to grow and has a crisp texture and sweet flavor, making it a great slicing cucumber. The beautiful exterior and design of the fruit is cool as well.

Reports are that it is delicious, easy to grow and can be planted summer for a fall crop as well as in the Spring for an early crop.

I look forward to trying it and getting your feedback. Several mail order companies have this cucumber including Johnny’s and Tomato Growers Supply.

This cucumber (actually a melon, Cucumis melo) was introduced to Italy from Armenia in the 1400s.