How to grow kiwano in your home: A complete guide
What's the story
Kiwano, or horned melon, is a delicious and exotic fruit that can be grown in your home greenhouse.
This article provides all the necessary tips for successfully cultivating this fascinating plant, from choosing the right seeds to harvesting the ripe fruits.
By following these steps, you can experience the unique flavor and nutritional benefits of fresh kiwano, straight from your greenhouse.
Seed selection
Selecting the right seeds
Choosing high-quality seeds is crucial for successfully growing healthy kiwano plants.
You should always buy seeds from reputable suppliers to ensure the highest germination rate.
Before planting a large quantity in your greenhouse, start with a small batch of seeds. This way, you can test their viability before investing significant effort.
Following this systematic approach greatly increases your chances of a successful kiwano harvest.
Greenhouse setup
Creating the perfect environment
Kiwano, or horned melon, thrives in hot conditions with temperatures between 20 degrees Celsius and 35 degrees Celsius.
To grow kiwano in your greenhouse, you need to keep the temperatures in this range.
Plus, kiwano plants like high humidity, around 85%.
So, keep a thermometer and a hygrometer in your greenhouse to make sure you have the right conditions for your kiwano plants.
Cultivation
Planting and care
Sow Kiwano seeds in well-draining soil that is high in organic matter.
Space them at a distance of 50 cm from each other so they have plenty of room to grow.
Water them regularly, but don't overdo it as too much water can cause root rot.
Feed them with a balanced fertilizer every four weeks to help them grow strong and healthy.
Pollination
Pollination techniques
Kiwanos are not self-pollinating, you will need to hand-pollinate if you are growing them in an environment where there are no natural pollinators, like greenhouses.
Use a small brush to transfer pollen from male to female flowers.
Do this in the morning when kiwano plants are most receptive.
This will help ensure that your kiwano plants successfully produce fruit.
Harvest time
Harvesting your fruit
Kiwano fruits are ripe and ready to be harvested when they turn bright orange and feel slightly soft when gently squeezed.
Use a pair of gardening shears to carefully cut the fruit from the vine.
Make sure to leave about two inches of stem attached to the fruit. This will help prevent the fruit from spoiling too soon.