growing kiwano

[johnnyt93]

Hi there,

my girlfriend loves this and I can't find it to buy round here so I thought I would grow some this year. I think its a relative of the cucumber, does anyone have any tips for growing it well and/or has anyone grown it before?

thanks

[mcsee]

I tried to grow them here last season, but they started off too slow and I missed out on getting mature fruit from them. They are commonly called the African Horned melon and are similar to a Cucumber when green or a Melon when mature/ripe. In your location, you will need need a warm sunny position or even a cloche to get them to maturity, so best of luck with growing it there. I'll try again - maybe next season.

[Two_Sheds]

has anyone grown it before?

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...oo-kiwano.html

[Snadger]

I bought some seeds off ebay so I'll give it a go in the greenhouse!

[johnnyt93]

got mine from ebay too, I'll let everyone know how I get on

[quark1]

You may get some growing tips from Jungle Seeds (online) - I thought I'd bought some - certainly I had a look - but not amongst my seeds in box(es). If not do sign up for the seed catalogue - it is a visual beauty and many good ideas and growing tips included - particularly if you're into the 'strange' and 'exotic' growing possibilities.

Attractive looking fruit if you're lucky enough to get going and for long enough....

Would be grateful for a spare seed or two to have a try - but not begging folks - honest!

Best of luck with this exotic project and hope it fulfils OH's culinary dreams! May need greenhouse or conservatory environs?

[greasyfire]

I would suspect they wouyld be grown the same as watermelons or honey melons

[johnnyt93]

I've had mixed results so far, of 12 seeds that germinated only 4 have made it to this stage. They are on my windowsill and about a foot high now. When do you think I could plant them out, I don't have a greenhouse but a very sunny plot in the garden. They really resemble cucumbers at the moment.

[Snadger]

I've had mixed results so far, of 12 seeds that germinated only 4 have made it to this stage. They are on my windowsill and about a foot high now. When do you think I could plant them out, I don't have a greenhouse but a very sunny plot in the garden. They really resemble cucumbers at the moment.

Out of twelve seeds ..............I got one to germinate. It too is about a foot high but I nipped the top out at 9 inches and it is forming side shoots now. I just potted it on today into a flower bucket and its in the greenhouse with a tripod of canes surrounding it.
One thing I did notice was that the main stem was very skinny, similar to a normal melon I reckon!