I ’d never heard of growing horn melons until last time of year when I encounter some seedlings . I planted them and they took off , producing a bucketful load of melons .
As their name suggests , they have horned skin and wait more like a Cucumis sativus on the inside than a melon vine . They have a wonderfully singular smell , something like banana mix with hydrated lime .
Plus , the plant hurt from few blighter and diseases .
On top of all that , horned melons tally an ornamental smell to your garden , so who would n’t want to give these tasty , singular fruits a go ?
What is Horned Melon?
Cucumis metuliferusis known as horned melon , kiwano , jelly melon , or African horned cucumber .
It ’s aboriginal to South Africa but has made its way to North America , where it grows well in the right conditions .
Horned melon refuse many of the vulgar pests and diseases that most other melons stick out from , so it ’s a good selection to seek if you ’ve struggled with diseases or have n’t tried growing melon before .
Although I ’ve seen horn melon cultivar of unlike colors and sizes , the plants and seeds are generally are marketed under the generic name of horned melon .
How to Plant Horned Melon
Horned melons raise well in zones 9 to 11 . Plant in full sunlight with a small afternoon shade , if potential .
I find this plant likes quite a specific pH scale , so direct for 6 to 6.5 . If you have clay or loamy territory , your horned melon will be in heaven .
Use atrellisor something standardised to allow the vine to mount . The fruit is small enough that it wo n’t break away on the vine if you grow it vertically .
you could also allow the vine to trail along the land , but verify you keep the bug aside from the mature yield .
Planting Seed
Plant in spring when the temperature are systematically warm . When it ’s always over 55ºF , plant your seed directly into the garden . Make indisputable the risk of hoarfrost has make pass . Plant a little late if Robert Lee Frost may make a comeback or be quick to protect your plants .
you’re able to start horn melons inside if the temperature is not quite warm enough outdoors , but move them out as soon as the temperature tolerate .
Plant the source about 1/2 an column inch to 1 in cryptic . Sow in mathematical group of three and space those clusters out to 18 inches aside . body of water well , wetting the soil down to an inch .
You should see germination in about three week or less .
Planting Seedlings
Dig a hole about the size of it of a received dinner plate . Plant two or three seedling and lean them away from each other . The vine of horn melon is quite compact .
Caring for Horned Melon
With just a little work , tusk melon is easy to count after . The plant will reward you with a batch of fruit .
Fertilizer
tusk melons require regular fertilizer . It do good from a twain of applications . I used a general fertiliser with an NPK ratio of 6 - 10 - 10 .
Once the temperatures are consistently over 70ºF , add about 2 inches of compost as mulch . This will strengthen the flora and start the soil to hold wet .
Water
Give horned melons a exclusive deep watering once per hebdomad . If you provide a niggling water often , you will end up with shallow , fallible roots .
A deep lacrimation encourages deep root development and a healthy flora .
Make trusted you irrigate the base of the flora where the stalk figure the earth . You will invite viral and soil - borne pathogen if you irrigate onto the foliation .
As the fruit ripens and come on its mature color , turn off back on watering . This will improve the flavor of the matured yield at harvest . You do n’t need to stress the plant , however . Do n’t let it droop .
This method acting may take a while for you to get the knack of . ascertain the horned melon in the first time of year and get used to how it grows . In your second time of year , you should be surefooted about when to keep back some water supply .
Pinching
There ’s no need to prune , but like most melons , you’re able to pinch the drawing card off after it has reach six feet . This is to boost the plant to spread widely and hopefully produce more female efflorescence and more fruit .
Companion Planting for Growing Horned Melon
There are a peck of plants that develop well with horned melon , including :
Common Problems and Solutions for Growing Horned Melon
Luckily , horned melon is resistant to beginning - knot nematode worm and some mosaic virus , things that plague other melon .
There are still a few pests and disease to watch for , however .
Cucumber Mosaic Virus
This is not one of the many mosaic viruses that horned melon vine is resistant to . Aphids transmit this virus . The leaves become yellow and brittle , and the yield might be deform and take on a bitter flavor .
The stain of the farewell affects the plant life ’s ability to photosynthesize properly , so the whole vine becomes sick and debile .
If you verify the aphid , you may prevent the disease . If you start out to see aphid , spray with neem oil and pyrethrum .
Unfortunately , if your horned melon is bad affected by this virus , you ’ll need to bump off it and destroy the industrial plant .
Watermelon Mosaic Virus
This computer virus is also transferred to horn melons by aphids and other little insects . It usually result in overly small yield and bend plants in some cases .
You will notice the yellowing of leave initially . This yellowing is irregular and is usually around the bound and veins , giving the mosaic appearance . You may see blistering on the leaves and newfangled leaves becoming twist .
To nullify this computer virus , move out all detritus include weeds and fallen plant material , and keep your tools clean .
habituate neem oil colour regularly to keep aphid from establishing themselves in your horned melon patch . If you wait until the aphids come along and then spray , it is too late . The disease may already be there .
Your end is to quash aphids all together .
Fusarium Wilt
This is a soil - borne pathogen and common in North America . It affects the plant ’s power to employ urine through the ancestor organisation . Eventually , the flora commence to droop and twist yellow .
First , the older leaves die , then the younger ones . Often , one side of the plant will show symptoms , while the other side look healthy .
To deal with fusarium wilt , try the pursuit :
Harvesting and Using Horned Melon
When the stems oblige the melon turn brown , the melon is ready . You should wear glove as horned melons have short sharp hair on the stems . Sometimes the spiny skins can nonplus into your skin as well .
Of naturally , you may eat up the fruits raw , but try making a sauce for gist or use the flesh to make cocktails and smoothie . It ’s also delicious as a topping for icing cream or yogurt .
The easy way to get the form out is to outdo it out of the carapace with a spoonful .
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