Kiwano

10 Seeds

Kiwano, also known as Horned Melon, African Horned Cucumber, or Jelly Melon, is a vigorous climbing vine that produces striking orange-yellow fruits covered with soft horns. The bright green, jelly-like flesh has a refreshing flavor resembling a blend of cucumber, kiwi, banana, and lime. Kiwano is rich in vitamin C, vitamin A, magnesium, potassium, antioxidants, and dietary fiber. It grows well in warm climates and is well-suited to the Gulf region when planted during the cooler growing season. It performs best in gardens, raised beds, trellised systems, large containers, and greenhouses.

Best Planting Time

• August to October (recommended)
• January to February (for greenhouse cultivation)
• Avoid outdoor sowing during the hottest summer months.

Seed Preparation

• Soak seeds in warm water (25–30°C) for 6–8 hours before sowing (optional).
• No cold stratification is required.

Soil Preparation

Use fertile, loose, well-drained soil rich in organic matter.

Recommended mix:

• 40% Coco peat
• 30% Compost
• 20% Garden soil
• 10% Perlite

Ideal soil pH:

• 6.0–6.8

Sowing Method

• Sow seeds directly into the ground or in seed trays.
• Plant seeds 2–3 cm deep.
• Keep the soil consistently moist until germination.
• Transplant carefully to avoid disturbing the roots.

Temperature & Light

• Ideal germination temperature: 24–30°C
• Ideal growing temperature: 22–35°C
• Requires 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily.
• During extreme Gulf heat, provide 30% afternoon shade.

Watering

• Keep the soil evenly moist during germination.
• Water deeply when the top 3–5 cm of soil becomes dry.
• Reduce watering slightly as fruits begin to mature to improve flavor.
• Avoid waterlogged soil.

Germination Time

• 7–14 days

Transplanting

• Transplant seedlings when they have:
  • 3–4 true leaves
  • Height of 10–15 cm
• Space plants:
  • 80–100 cm apart
• Space rows:
  • 150–200 cm apart

Support

• Grow plants on a trellis, fence, or netting for straighter fruits, improved air circulation, and easier harvesting.

Harvesting

• Harvest begins:
  • 90–120 days after sowing
• Fruits are ripe when:
  • Skin turns bright orange to golden yellow.
  • The fruit feels firm.
• Mature fruits store well for several weeks at room temperature.

Gulf Climate Tips

• Plant during August to October for the highest yields.
• Apply organic mulch to retain moisture and keep roots cool.
• Fertilize every 2 weeks with a balanced fertilizer during vegetative growth, then switch to one higher in potassium during flowering and fruit development.
• Encourage pollinators or hand-pollinate flowers if fruit set is poor.
• Kiwano grows exceptionally well in raised beds, trellised gardens, greenhouses, large containers, and hydroponic systems with vertical support.