African cucumber (Cucumis Metuliferus Kiwano) 10 seeds (#873)

Kiwano is an annual climber with small yellow-orange flowers, with a habit resembling popular cucumbers or melons.
Spiky ornamental fruits reach an average weight of 200-300 g, are initially dark green and in the final stage of growth they reach a yellow-orange color.
The banana-kiwi-flavored pulp is tasty and juicy with lots of edible seeds. Kiwano can be eaten raw, added to drinks, fruit salads or desserts. Ripe fruit has extremely high decorative value, it looks good in compositions with other pumpkins.
It is best to grow kiwano in greenhouses or polytunnels or in the ground in warm summers.
Approximately 10-14 seeds in the packet.

Genus - Cucumis
Species - Metuliferus
Variety - Kiwano
Common name - African cucumber
Pre-Treatment - Not-required
Hardiness zones - 5 - 11
Height - 1,50 - 2 m
Plant type - Annual climber
Exposure - Full Sun
Growth rate - Fast
Soil PH - Acid, neutral and basic (alkaline)
Soil type - Sandy, loamy, clay, prefers well-drained
Water requirements - Lots of regular watering
Landscape uses - Grow much like pumpkins or watermelons. Plants can produce up to 100 fruits on a single climbing vine.
Bloom season - July - August
Leaf / Flower color - Green / --

GERMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
Seeding optimum germination temperatures are between +20-+30C (68-95F).
Germination is delayed at +12C (54F), and inhibited at temperatures lower than 12°C or above 35°C.
Thus it is recommended to sow in trays and transplant into the field at the two true leaf stage.
The best time for transplanting into an open field is in the spring when soil and air temperatures rise to around +15C (59F). (info source: wikipedia.org).