Mutant cucumber plant?

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GardenGuy00
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Mutant cucumber plant?

#1

Post: # 50536Unread post GardenGuy00
Thu Jul 15, 2021 2:48 pm

I have the weirdest volunteer in my garden this year. It’s a CRAZY plant, seemingly a cucumber, that breaks off near the central stem into MANY vines going in different directions. Not just one vine as is the norm. These vines are long, too. Yet no matter what, there is no sign whatsoever of flower buds. Just more stem and leaves.

You can see it from a few angles below. I know I should probably get rid of it, but there’s something about it that fascinates me.
742A8E0A-3D8F-47C1-AEC3-F369261220AA.jpeg
7940E80F-F3B8-434C-8EEF-AC46F92F8D31.jpeg
3372FFF3-ABCF-4D68-9EF0-9311613D40AB.jpeg
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Amateurinawe
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Location: Emsworth UK

Re: Mutant cucumber plant?

#2

Post: # 50538Unread post Amateurinawe
Thu Jul 15, 2021 3:15 pm

[mention]GardenGuy00[/mention] don't fall for those heart shaped leaves, lock your door at night and hide your fresh yoghurt.
The behaviour of light means you observe me as i was then, and not as I am now.
I cannot change history, so I do hope i gave you a good impression of myself

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Shule
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Location: SW Idaho, USA

Re: Mutant cucumber plant?

#3

Post: # 50544Unread post Shule
Thu Jul 15, 2021 3:59 pm

Could it be Kiwano (African Horned Cucumber/Melon)? It's a cucumber relative that has a grown habit something like that. It takes a while to get fruit, too. Did you put one in your compost? (They have fruits in the grocery store, at times.)
Location: SW Idaho, USA
Climate: BSk
USDA hardiness zone: 6
Elevation: 2,260 feet

GardenGuy00
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Re: Mutant cucumber plant?

#4

Post: # 50546Unread post GardenGuy00
Thu Jul 15, 2021 4:24 pm

Shule wrote: Thu Jul 15, 2021 3:59 pm Could it be Kiwano (African Horned Cucumber/Melon)? It's a cucumber relative that has a grown habit something like that. It takes a while to get fruit, too. Did you put one in your compost? (They have fruits in the grocery store, at times.)
Hmm… I honestly can’t remember. That’s certainly a possibility.

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peebee
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Location: So. Calif zone 10

Re: Mutant cucumber plant?

#5

Post: # 50582Unread post peebee
Fri Jul 16, 2021 2:24 am

[mention]GardenGuy00[/mention] I used Google Lens on one of the images & got Bur Cucumber. It doesn't seem to produce what we think of as cucumbers, and is considered a weed. I'd provide a link but my phone is dying now sorry.
Zone 10, Southern California
Will eat anything once before I judge.
Anything meaning any foods of course.

Gardadore
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Location: NE PA zone 6

Re: Mutant cucumber plant?

#6

Post: # 50604Unread post Gardadore
Fri Jul 16, 2021 1:58 pm

The first time I saw this I also thought it was a regular cucumber till it got up into the trees and spread all over. It is a weed for sure, but I didn’t know it was called but cucumber. I get it every year in one section of the yard and just have to rip it out.

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