Kiwano Or Horned Melon

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

All lovers of the new and unusual should definitely try to grow the exotic Kiwano fruit on their personal plot. This edible and amazing crop of the Cucurbitaceae family, a species of the cucumber genus (Cucumis), has recently become widely known. Africa is the birthplace of this plant, but it is also successfully cultivated as a garden crop in America, Italy, Israel, New Zealand. In appearance, Kiwano resembles a small melon or an oval cucumber with thick soft thorns, its unripe fruits have a "green chintz" shirt and a specific aroma. In biological ripeness, the fruit is bright orange and seems to be covered with marble stains. The taste of exotic fruit rarely leaves anyone indifferent, combining the tastes of banana, kiwi and lemon with a melon aroma

Kiwano is often incorrectly called an African cucumber because of its similarity to its relative Anguria (this is another type of cucumber - Cucumis anguria). Kiwano is called differently in different countries: two-horned melon, jelly melon, Antillean cucumber, African cucumber.

Biological description of Kiwano

Kiwano is a branching vine that is ideal for decorating a garden and will take its rightful place as a vegetable crop. This herbaceous plant reaches a length of 5 m, the main stem is strong enough. Additional branches have thin, grooved stems. Thus growing, the Kiwano braids over large areas during the growing season. Kiwano leaves are similar to three or five lobed cucumber leaves, only smaller in size, have hard pubescence.

The roots of the plant are weak, the flowers are numerous, small, yellow. The fruits are formed on long stalks, at the stage of growth, green, oval, with tubercles, on which thorns subsequently form. When ripe, the fruit acquires a beautiful orange inedible rind. Inside the fruit there is a green jelly-like flesh with a large number of seeds up to 1 cm long. The inner part of the kiwano is divided by soft veins into sectors.

How to grow Kiwano in central Russia

Kiwano, relative to its relative, the cucumber, is less demanding on soil fertility, but it slowly develops in acidic soil and in darkened places. Loves good drainage and access to nutrients. The plant is photophilous, thermophilic, does not tolerate negative temperatures and frosts. The ideal temperature for him is 25 ° C. Kiwano seeds remain viable for 7 years. With proper care, up to 200 fruits are obtained from one copy.

A domestic Kiwano variety called "Green Dragon" has been developed for personal subsidiary plots. This variety is intended for cultivation in the Central region of Russia, both in open and in protected ground. The growing season of the variety is 75-77 days. It is resistant to many diseases and is rarely damaged by pests.

The best solution is to grow kiwano seedlings. Seeds are planted under a shelter or in a greenhouse in late April - early May. Seedlings are planted in a permanent place when the threat of frost passes. If you decide to plant a kiwano in a greenhouse, then form two rows with a distance of 50 cm between them, 40 cm between plants in a row.

When planting in open ground, place young plants in places protected from the wind, preferably along various structures, mesh fences. This herbaceous vine grows very quickly and therefore the seedlings should initially be tied to a vertical trellis. Caring for kiwano consists in weeding regularly, loosening the soil; in hot and dry summers, watering is necessary 2 - 3 times a week. Top dressing will not interfere, to which the plant actively responds with rapid growth. Alternate organic and mineral supplements every 10 to 12 days. Foliar dressing with a complex fertilizer with microelements has a beneficial effect.

With thickened plantings, lateral shoots require pinching on the ovary. The sooner and more often young ovaries are removed, the faster new fruits grow.

Uses and benefits of Kiwano

Kiwano contains a large percentage of water and carbohydrates, and also serves as a source of an impressive amount of vitamin C, contains vitamins PP, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6 and folic acid. Jelly melon has a valuable supply of organic acids, trace elements, mineral salts of an alkaline nature. This fruit is highly recommended for persons suffering from cardiovascular diseases. The presence of potassium macroelement in the composition of kiwano contributes to the creation of conditions for muscle contractions and maintenance of acid-base balance in cells. Kiwano juice is recommended for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, helps in the healing of wounds and burns. Kiwano is also used in cosmetology, making masks for the face and body from it.