Cucumis metuliferus seed

LATIN NAME: Cucumis metuliferus

COMMON NAME: Kiwano

The kiwano is the curious, horned, orange melon of the warm regions. The vigorous, trailing vine carries the large, lobed, dark-green leaves, and the fine, yellow, star-like flowers open through the warm season, to be followed by the oval, spiny, green fruits that ripen to the fine, bright orange with the short, horn-like spines. The jelly-like, green pulp within is cool, refreshing and gently sweet, and the fruits keep for a long time after picking. It is a fine, easy, generous vine of the warm, sunny garden and the trellis. It is a plant of the deep, rich, well-drained ground.

Scientific Research & Plant Biotechnology

The kiwano has carved a quiet but solid place in the plant science, and the vine has been studied for the oval, spiny fruits and the fine, bright orange colour of the ripe melon. The jelly-like, green pulp and its refreshing character have been examined closely, and the vine keeps showing up in the work on the warm-climate melons and the new fruit crops. The large, lobed leaves and the fine, yellow, star-like flowers have also made it a fine garden vine, and the long-keeping fruits hold a steady place in the studies of the storage and the transport of the fresh produce.

Ecological & Economic Value & Wide Applications

The kiwano does a lot of work in the warm garden and the fruit market. The jelly-like, green pulp is cool, refreshing and gently sweet, eaten fresh with a spoon or added to the drinks and the salads, and the spiny, orange fruits keep for a long time after picking, which makes them a fine, practical crop for the market. The vigorous vine is also an easy, generous cover for the trellis and the fence. It has been written up in the culinary and the agricultural papers for the horned fruits and the long-keeping character, and it is a fine, easy vine of the deep, rich, well-drained garden.

The kiwano is one of the most curious of the warm-climate melons, and the oval, spiny fruits ripen to the fine, bright orange that made the melon famous. The jelly-like, green pulp within is cool and gently sweet, and the fruits keep for a long time after picking, which makes the kiwano a fine, practical novelty for the market garden.

To grow the kiwano from seed, soak the flat seeds in warm water for a few hours, then sow them at a depth of about a centimetre in pots of moist, free-draining soil, keep them in a warm, bright, open spot and water gently. The seedlings come through within a couple of weeks and grow on fast. With the sun, the trellis and the deep, rich, well-drained ground, the spiny, orange fruits will be ready through the season.

Name: African Horned Melon

Scientific Name: Cucumis Metaliferus

Family: Cucurbitaceae

A truly unique melon from Sub Sahara Africa, this strange vine produces 3-5” fruit covered in pointy horns that give it an otherworldly look. The fruit starts green but matures to yellow-orange when ripe. With a tropical taste described as a blend of banana, lime and cucumber, the melons when cut into overflow with deep green pulp pieces great fresh or in salads, smoothies or salads. When ripe the fruit will be semi firm to the touch and no green will be left on it. We found it was better to leave it on the vine longer rather than pulling early because under ripe fruit tends to be very dry and not flavorful. It is a great source of Vitamin A, C, beta Carotene, magnesium, zinc and calcium. The pulp is also very high in water so for many this a source of water in the hot dry months when water is scarce.

Growing Instructions:

For a long season and quicker production, especially where winters are exceptionally cool, it is best started indoors 2-4 weeks before the soil is consistently above 60. Germination is best at 65-85 so sow seeds 1” deep in a soilless mixture indoors and keep moist and warm until germination in 7-14 days. Transplant to 4” pots when two sets of true leaves are present and the plants are safe to work with. Plant starts in full sun location in moderately rich well-draining soil in mounds 14” apart, with 7’ between rows. Keep moist until established, drought tolerant thereafter.