Winter Melon Benincasa hispida

How to sow winter melon: Direct seed outside once soil is 19° C or seed in peat pots (and transplant pots directly into soil after hardening off), 30 cm apart

Sun requirement for winter melon: Plant in Full Sun

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Winter Melon, or Wax Gourd, is a species of melon in the Cucurbit family that produces a very large, oblong or spherical fruit that can be stored for up to 12 months. Melons can be up to 80cm in length. Like other cucurbits, the fruit grow on vines that can be allowed to sprawl on the ground or trained to a very strong trellis. Winter Melon is native to South Asia and Southeast Asia and needs a warm, mild climate. It is not frost-tolerant. Fruit are fuzzy when young, but trade their hair for a waxy coating as they mature. Melons have thick, white, mildly sweet flesh and are used in a variety of dishes, to make tea, and Ayurvedic medicine. Germination is improved by pre-soaking seeds for 24 hours before planting.