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Cyclanthera pedata
Caigua
  • Annual
  • Full Sun
  • Germination Tested November 22, 2024: 100%
  • 10+ seeds per packet
Regular price $5.00 CAD
Regular price Sale price $5.00 CAD
Sale Sold out

Achocha or caigua is a vigorous annual vine in the cucumber family. The fruits can be eaten raw and whole when they are young and tender. When they get a bit older, the skin and seeds toughen up, but they can be hollowed out and stuffed with various fillings.

When raw, they taste like a fresh young cucumber, with hints of green pepper or green bean. They’re juicy and crunchy. Delicious! They usually don’t start setting fruit until late in the season, but will keep producing until frost. They shine in the garden after the cucumbers have slowed down.

Achocha grows quickly, and is almost immune to diseases and pests that affect other plants in the same family. They would make a fantastic living shade wall on a patio or garden nook because they grow so quickly.

Achocha was domesticated centuries ago in the Andes, but interestingly it’s no longer found growing wild there. It was an important crop to the Incas. Now it is widely grown and enjoyed in South and Central America, and South Asia.

Growing Instructions

Achocha can be started indoors, or direct sown once the soil has warmed up. If starting indoors, note they do grow quickly so don't start them too early! 2-4 weeks before your planting out date is probably sufficient- for example start indoors mid April to early May for planting out mid-May. If you do start them really early indoors, have some stakes ready to put in their pots for them to climb up. Make sure you have a tall trellis for the plants to grow on outdoors as vines can grow over 12 feet long.

Shipping & Returns

We ship seeds via Canada Post within Canada for $6 to $8 depending on weight, United States for $20, and Internationally for $20*. Live plants, bulbs, and bulbils can only be shipped within Canada. Shipping fees listed here are in Canadian dollars, and may change without notice.

 

Shipping in Canada 

We ship seeds in Canada via regular letter mail, which is an untracked service, and usually takes 1-3 weeks to arrive once we fulfill your order, but occasionally orders take longer, especially to Ontario and East.

Customers can now opt for tracked, express shipping options at checkout if you require faster delivery.

Larger bulbs and plants are sent via tracked flat rate box.

 

Shipping to the US

We now require all US shoppers to obtain a Small Lot Seed Permit before we can mail your seeds. It's free to apply and you will likely be granted the permit instantly. We appreciate if you can email us your permit as soon as you can after your purchase.

How to apply for your Small Seed Lot Import Permit:

  1. Go to https://efile.aphis.usda.gov/s/
  2. Select PPQ-587 in the dropdown menu and click "Get Started".
  3. Login and follow the instructions to obtain a permit.
  4. Under the Commodity Type drop down, make sure you select the "Small Lots of Seed". See screenshot below.
  5. It's best to list "Eligible Taxa" instead of listing all the species you'd like to import so you don't need to worry about missing any species you ordered.
  6. Once you receive your permit, promptly email us 2 documents: a copy of your permit and a copy of the yellow/green shipping labels. Tell us if which USDA station you want us to send the seeds to. If not mentioned we will choose one. Our email is grow@cicadaseeds.ca
  7. We are not able to send any pepper or tomato seeds, or any live plant materials to the US due to restrictions.

What happens next?

After receiving your documentation, we will mail your seeds to an inspection facility in the US.  We will ship via tracked parcel, and you will receive the tracking number when your order has shipped. Orders will be mailed first to a plant inspection facility in the US, then they forward the package on to your address after inspection. Tracking is only available to the inspection facility, not to your address.

The mail and inspection process can take several weeks, depending on how long the inspection takes. Unfortunately we are not able to replace packages that are confiscated or destroyed by customs, or for any duties or tariffs placed on your order. 

 

Shipping Internationally

International customers can select tracked or untracked shipping at checkout. The package will list the contents as "Garden Seeds". It is your responsibility to ensure you have the required import permit. We are not able to send any live plant materials internationally. Cicada Seeds will not be responsible for any orders held or confiscated by customs, or for any additional duties or tariffs placed on your order.

International shipping countries include: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong SAR, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom.

This list may change without notice. Sometimes Canada Post will not allow us to ship to certain countries due to wars or natural disasters, see this page for delivery service alerts: https://www.canadapost-postescanada.ca/cpc/en/our-company/news-and-media/service-alerts.page

Please reach out if your country is not on this list, email us and we will try to arrange an alternate shipping option. 

 

Return Policy

If you have any issues with your order, please contact us within 60 days and we will do our best to make it right.

Ecologically Grown

Seeds are grown ecologically without the use of chemical pesticides or fertilizers.

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Customer Reviews

Based on 6 reviews
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T
TL
Vigorous climber

2024 - rapid germination and fruited prolifically until fall. Young fruits were tender and eaten whole, older fruits chopped up (and sometimes needed seeds removed).

M
Miroslaw Ciesla
achocha

Today afternoon delivery seeds. Thanks I can leave any comments after I saw. Thanks

S
Stella Rahman

I’ll plant the seeds next summer as it is winter now in Toronto, Canada.

E
Eden Mackay
Achocha Seeds

Fantastic germination and super strong seedlings! Can't wait to see how they do

E
Elvie
Look very interesting. A new one for me.

Look very interesting. A new one for me.