The horned melon (Cucumis metuliferus) â which also passes the most popular names kiwano, jelly melon or African horned cucumber â creates showy and edible fruits that function distinctive stippled epidermis and spiky protrusions. This native of South Africa, hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture zone 10 or more, thrives in moderate climates that resemble its surrounding. Melon resists common afflictions like root-knot nematodes, powdery mildew, melon aphids and greenhouse flies that are white.
Select a planting site with abundant, well-drained soil and full sunlight exposure. Horned melon prefers clay or loamy soil having a pH range of 6.0 to 6.5, although it’s perhaps not terribly picky about soils. Choose an area near fence or a trellis to advertise climbing.
Plant horned melon seeds into a depth of 1/2 Leave 18 to 24-inches between teams of three or two seeds. Allow about six-feet of room between rows. Sow your seeds in the spring time when temperatures are above 5 7 degrees Fahrenheit.
Keep the soil moist down to about 1-inch to germinate the melon. Germination occurs within three or two months.
Water the melon seriously and gradually in afternoon or the morning proven. Provide the plant with one to two inches of water per week, soaking down the soil to about 6″. Allow the soil.
Apply common-use fertilizer using a 4-8-5 or 6-10-10 N-P-K ratio accord%54-8-5 or 6-10-10 N-P-K ratio according t4-8%5 general-use fertilizer with a 4-8%58%5 general-use fertilizer with a 4-8-5 or 61010 NPK ratio according to the maker directions. the of
Apply organic mulch, including straw or woodchips, round the root of the plant when the soil temperature is above 75 degrees Fahrenheit. This aids the plant prevents weed growth and keep moisture.
As they seem pick weeds manually; this will help avoid illnesses such as tobacco ringspot virus and the cucumber mosaic virus.