Lady Slipper Achocha fruit arranged with leaves and curly vines on white.
A single Lady Slipper Achocha fruit with a leaf and vines on a white background.
Several Lady Slipper Achocha fruits with foliage arranged on a white background.
Cut and whole Lady Slipper Achocha fruits on leaves on a white background.
A single Lady Slipper Achocha fruit resting on some foliage on a white background.
A profile view of a single Lady Slipper Achocha fruit on a white background.
Lady Slipper Achocha fruit arranged with leaves and curly vines on white.
A single Lady Slipper Achocha fruit with a leaf and vines on a white background.
Several Lady Slipper Achocha fruits with foliage arranged on a white background.
Cut and whole Lady Slipper Achocha fruits on leaves on a white background.
A single Lady Slipper Achocha fruit resting on some foliage on a white background.
A profile view of a single Lady Slipper Achocha fruit on a white background.

Cucumber Seeds,
Achocha Lady Slipper

SKU: #CU123Min. seed count: 10
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Description
(Cyclanthera pedata). A fast-growing heirloom from the Andes with a rich culinary legacy. Known as caigua or slipper gourd, this vigorous climber can reach up to 40 feet in a single season, producing a cascade of slipper-shaped fruits that are mild, juicy, and crisp, like a mixture of cucumber and sweet pepper. The fruits have been a staple of traditional Andean cooking for generations, most famously used in the Peruvian dish caiguas rellenas, in which the hollow fruits are stuffed with savory fillings and either steamed, roasted, or pan-fried. Young fruits can be enjoyed raw, while tender shoots and leaves are also edible and delicious when lightly cooked.
A stunning ornamental and edible in one, Lady’s Slipper thrives in warm weather and rich, well-drained soil. Best grown with a strong trellis or fence to support its rapid growth, it’s an excellent choice for edible landscapes or vertical gardens. The seeds. large, deeply ridged, and charcoal black, are among the most striking in the gourd family. Start indoors before the last frost or sow direct once the soil has warmed. A rare and culturally significant crop that deserves a place in every heirloom garden.

Plant Details

Botanical Name
Cyclanthera pedata

When to Grow

Start Achocha Lady Slipper indoors before your last frost, or sow it directly in the garden once the soil has warmed to about 70°F. Set transplants out only after frost has passed, into rich, well-drained soil. Grow it on a strong trellis or fence to support its rapid growth. It thrives in warm weather.

How to Sow and Plant

  • In longer-season areas, you can sow seeds directly in the garden once soil has warmed to about 70 degrees.
  • Growers with a shorter growing season should start seeds indoors three weeks before last frost.
  • Ideal germination temperature is 75-90 F.
  • Sow seeds 1 inch deep.
  • Gourds can have spotty germination; be sure to plant seeds in good soil with plenty of organic matter.
  • Be patient; seeds can sometimes take up to three weeks to germinate!

How to Grow

  • Set plants out into good, well-drained soil after frost has passed.
  • Set plants 24 inches apart; they will climb and trail, so be prepared for a garden takeover!
  • Keep plants well-watered.
  • Gourds are grown much like squash, and thanks to their tough skin, they are often better at fighting off pests than other cucurbits.
  • A thick layer of mulch is absolutely crucial; the vines will be very difficult to keep weeded once they start trailing. Mulch will help to keep weeds down and retain moisture.

PESTS/SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

  • Although they are better at fending off pests than other squash relatives, gourds can be susceptible to a virus called cucumber mosaic virus, which is spread by cucumber beetle damage. To avoid the virus, keep cucumber beetles off of your plants.
  • Kaolin clay is an organic method for deterring cucumber beetles.
  • Beneficials like ladybugs and beneficial nematodes will also help to keep the pests at bay.

How to Save Seeds

  • Gourds are easily cross-pollinated, so it is advisable to isolate different seed-saving varieties up to 1⁄2 mile to ensure seed purity.
  • A minimum of 15 plants of each variety should be grown to avoid inbreeding issues. Harvest fruit before it has dried out when it is still green in color but has developed a tough skin.
  • Scoop seeds to dry; they will remain viable for about 4 years when stored properly in a sealed container in the refrigerator.

FAQ

How big does the Achocha Lady Slipper vine get?

Very big. This vigorous Andean climber can reach up to 40 feet in a single season, which is why it is best grown with a strong trellis or fence. It makes an excellent choice for edible landscapes and vertical gardens.

What do the fruits taste like, and how are they used?

The slipper-shaped fruits are mild, juicy and crisp, like a mixture of cucumber and sweet pepper. They are best known in the Peruvian dish caiguas rellenas, where the hollow fruits are stuffed with savory fillings and then steamed, roasted or pan-fried. Young fruits can also be enjoyed raw.

Is any other part of the plant edible?

Yes — the tender shoots and leaves are edible and delicious lightly cooked. The seeds are worth a look too: large, deeply ridged and charcoal black, they are among the most striking in the gourd family.
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