Benincasa hispida, the wax gourd, also called ash gourd, white gourd, winter gourd, tallow gourd, ash pumpkin, winter melon, Chinese preserving melon and Puhul, is a vine grown for its very large fruit, eaten as a vegetable when mature. It is the only member of the genus Benincasa.

Where To Buy Winter Melons In South Africa

Bellville Market

Address: Landdros St, Bellville, Cape Town, 7530, South Africa

Hours: Open ⋅ Closes 6PM

Phone: +27 21 945 4992

Green Valley Farm Stall

Address: Shop No.1, Green Valley Meat Market, Nitrogen Rd, Klippoortjie AH, Johannesburg, 1401, South Africa

Hours: Open ⋅ Closes 6PM

Phone: +27 82 505 8574

Woolworths Foods Mooirivier Junction Shopping Centre

Address: Shop 1, Cnr Thabo Mbeki Road &, Oudebrug St, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa

Hours: Open ⋅ Closes 7PM

Phone: +27 18 285 0570

Woolworths Kenilworth

Address: 321 Main Rd, Kenilworth, Cape Town, 7708, South Africa

Hours: Open ⋅ Closes 7PM

Phone: +27 21 700 3120.

Are there any winter melons?

The winter melon is a large fruit that grows on trailing vines. People call the melon ash gourd because when it’s ripe, it has an ashy appearance. Contrary to its name, the winter melon grows during the summer for late summer or early fall harvest.

How big is a winter melon?

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80 centimeters Winter melon (Benincasa hispida, is also known as white gourd and winter gourd.

The melon is shaped like a long squash and can grow as large as 80 centimeters (30 inches) in length. It has a chalky dark green (some time pistachio green) colored skin with a waxy feel.

How long does it take to grow winter melon?

Winter melons will be ready for harvest 110 days after sowing. When melons reach full size and stems turn brown they are ready for harvest.

How many winter melons does a plant produce?

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The larger species of winter melon can make fruits that weigh 20 kilograms or more. However, these can generally sustain only 1-3 fruits per plant, while the smaller types usually can make more.

How do you harvest winter melon seeds?

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Wait until the fruits are fully ripe and separated from the vine before collecting seeds from melons. In cantaloupe, for example, look for thick netting and a pungent melon smell from the stem end.

To start saving melon seeds, cut open the fruit lengthwise and scoop out the seed masses into a jar.