Kiwano, African Horned Cucumber or Melon, Jelly Melon

Hot, dry conditions are best for preventing powdery mildew.

The plants are grown similarly to cucumbers. Caution is in order because Kiwanos have a "weedy" nature; they are vigorous climbers and robust plants which can quickly take over. The fruit forms in clusters with the fruit closest to the plant center maturing first. They have to be cut from the vine, gloves should be worn, and care taken not to puncture a neighboring fruit with the spines.

Can be stored up to 6 months!

More information at
http://www.rain.org/greennet/docs/exoticveggies/html/kiwano.htm
http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/cropfactsheets/kiwano.html

If you are interested in purchasing this highly profitable and prolific growing plant's seeds, please contact me at
peraj82@yahoo.com

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Kiwano
• Jelly Melon
• growing
• seeds
• plant

[razoraudi]

Where did you film this?

I am in Denver, CO and I bought a kiwano for $4. I cannot wait to eat it but I have it on my kitchen table for display

[PerajEbay]

@razoraudi

I filmed it in Australia QLD

I recommend you to use a little bit salt on it. The seeds are edible but if you use them unripe the seeds will be much softer. You can use the shell for decoration. In some fancy restaurants they use the shell as a plate ...

[phoenix9ty]

did you start your plant from seed? also about how long did it take until there were fruit? how easy is it to grow?

[2010muddog]

i planted my own kiwanos and it seems that if u water they every day they grow about double the original shape

[destroyahdes]

@perazh Thanks for having a look. I don't mind if the vines take over the whole fence. I'm surpirsed they haven't gone any further. I grew some ball luffas last year that made it to the end and made a right turn onto the other fence. It was great.

[perazh]

@destroyahdes If you are going to grow new things I recommend you Golden berry which is my favorite. I read about Oyster nut and am very curious about it. Have a look at it on the web if you got time.

[perazh]

@destroyahdes Great to see the new update of your lovely garden. Kiwano is a bit weedy and can even harm small trees. I recommend you to prune your wines to keep them in the shape that you want; by doing that you can even harvest more from a limited space. Kiwano does not need to be fully ripe for eating. When Kiwano is fully ripe the seeds become a bit woody (although edible). I like them when they are young and I like to eat them with salt (/with pieces of tomato olive oil and vinegar is great

[destroyahdes]

@perazh Thanks. No unfortunately the kiwanos with their thorns choked them out. I have to start over with them. I just put up a video showing how many are coming in. Check it out.  I will try again with the casabanans. I'm determined to get some this year. Thanks for the tomato tip.

[perazh]

@destroyahdes

Great to see your Kiwanos are growing well. Did you finally get anything from your Casabanana plant? I am very interested in them. If you got the chance grow Purple Chiroki Tomato they are one of the most delicious tomato's I have ever tasted.

[destroyahdes]

@perazh I'm in Florida. Half the year is dry and half is wet. We're in the wet season now and my vine is doing well. I have more fruits now. You can see it in my lates video called Garden Update.

[perazh]

@destroyahdes

What climate you are in?

They like warm an dry

[destroyahdes]

It's nice to see one growing. Mine are about this same age right now. I only have three fruits on my vine but I'm looking forward to when I can harvest them.