Winter Melon.

Auf einen Blick

Pflegestufe

Mittel

Pflanzenart

Annual vegetable

Licht

Full sun

Licht im Innenraum

Direkte Sonne

Gießen

Alle 2 bis 4 Tage

Endgröße

10 to 15 feet

Wachstum

Schnell

Winterhärte

USDA 9 bis 11

Blütezeit

Mid to late summer

Pflege

Provide a sturdy trellis for the heavy fruits to climb and develop properly. Keep an eye out for powdery mildew on the leaves during humid weather. Ensure the soil stays consistently moist but not waterlogged.

Gießen

Keep the soil evenly moist throughout the growing season.

Düngen

Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer every two weeks once flowering begins.

Schneiden

Trim back excessive side shoots to encourage better fruit production.

Umtopfen

This plant is typically grown directly in the garden soil.

Boden

Well draining, fertile loam

Boden-pH

6.0 to 7.0

Temperatur

15 bis 35°C

Luftfeuchtigkeit

60 bis 90%

Trockenheitstoleranz

Gering

Lebensdauer

Annual, typically one growing season.

Wildverbiss-Resistenz

Mittel

Sicherheit

Menschen

The plant is non-toxic and widely used in culinary applications.

Kinder

The prickly hairs on the stems can scratch delicate skin, so keep children away from the vines.

Kontaktallergene

The stems and leaves are covered in stiff, prickly hairs that can cause skin irritation upon contact.

Allergene in der Luft

There are no notable respiratory allergens associated with this plant.

Essbarkeit

The fruit is widely consumed cooked, but ensure it is harvested at the proper maturity for the best texture.

So erkennst du die Pflanze

• Large, fuzzy, heart shaped leaves
• Yellow, five petaled flowers
• Large, oblong, waxy green fruit
• White, crisp flesh inside
• Vigorous, climbing vine habit

Höhe

0,3 bis 3m

Breite

2 bis 6m

Blätter

green, deciduous

Blüten

yellow, 5 bis 10cm

Früchte

green, white, Autumn

Häufige Probleme

• Powdery mildew — A fungal infection that appears as white dusty patches on the leaves.
• Aphids — Small insects that cluster on new growth and suck plant sap.

Standort und Pflege

Vermehrung

seed

Pflanzzeit

Spring

Überwinterung

This plant is a frost sensitive annual that will die back completely once temperatures drop.

Im Kübel

It requires a very large container of at least 40 liters to support its vigorous growth.

Plant near tall, sturdy crops that can support the heavy weight of the developing fruit.

Gute Pflanzpartner

• Mais — Corn provides a sturdy structure for the vines to climb.
• Kapuzinerkresse — Nasturtiums act as a ground cover to suppress weeds around the base.

Ähnliche Arten

• Gurke — Both are members of the same family and share similar growth habits.
• Courgette — They share similar requirements for space and nutrient rich soil.

Botanisches

Familie

Cucurbitaceae

Gattung

Benincasa

Ordnung

Cucurbitales

Klasse

Magnoliopsida

Ursprüngliche Heimat

Tropical and subtropical Asia.

Artenschutz

This species is widely cultivated and not of conservation concern.

It thrives in warm, humid environments where it can climb over other vegetation to reach sunlight.

Nutzen für Wildtiere

nectar source

Bestäuber

Bienen, Schmetterlinge

Verwendung

culinary, traditional medicine, ornamental

Taxonomie abgeglichen mit GBIF.

Häufige Fragen

Does it need a trellis?

Yes, it is a vigorous climber and benefits greatly from a strong trellis.

Can I grow it in a pot?

It is possible in a very large container, but it prefers being in the ground.

Woher der Name kommt

The specific epithet hispida refers to the bristly hairs covering the plant, while the common name wax gourd describes its unique waxy skin.

Gut zu wissen

• The fruit is often called winter melon because it can be stored through the winter.
• It is a staple ingredient in many Asian soups and stir fries.
• The waxy bloom on the skin is a natural defense against moisture loss.