Cucumis metuliferus - Kiwano - Blowfish Fruit - Seeds

Description

• Cucurbitaceae Cucurbitales
• South Africa
• H 1.5m x W 1.5m
•  Z10 
• Annual
• 1 packet of 15 seeds

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Detail

Kiwano is a cousin of the cucumber, also called African cucumber

It is cultivated for its original decorative globular fruit, about fifteen cm long and 10 cm wide, dark green marbled with lighter patterns, becoming orange when ripe, and resembling a Blow Fish

The fruit of Cucumis metuliferus is edible and very pleasant to eat in hot summer months

Simply cut the Kiwano in two, then eat the contents with a spoon, like a passion fruit

Its flesh is bright green, almost fluorescent, juicy, refreshing, slightly sweet and tangy, with light aromas evoking lemon, kiwi and banana, very pleasant

Its seed, ground into flour and prepared into a drinkable emulsion, has anthelmintic properties

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Cultivation

Sow in pots in the nursery, in the heat, in full sun, in April or May, like other cucurbits

Transplant in the vegetable garden in the most sunny spots you can find

Kiwano grows very quickly in high heat and will produce abundance of fruits

The young plant must be watered

The adult plant resists drought, which it even seems to enjoy (originating from the arid regions of southern Africa)

Cucumis metuliferus can be grown as a creeper or as a climber

Extremely easy to grow, no pests or diseases (the seedlings must still be protected from slugs and snails), an abundant harvest without effort

Fruits are ripe in autumn, when the foliage withers

Harvest as the fruits turn orange

Collect all fruits even if still green before the first frosts (they will ripen indoors)