Unique Spiky Fruits
Produces distinctive oval fruits with bright orange skin and prominent horn-like projections, creating an eye-catching appearance.
Horned Melon Seeds for Sale
Suitable for home gardening use
Regular price
Rs. 16.99 INR
Sale price
Rs. 16.99 INR
Regular price
Tax included.
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Estimated Delivery:Nov 21 - Nov 25
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Product description
Horned Melon Seeds
Horned Melon, also known as Kiwano, African Horned Cucumber, or Jelly Melon, is an unusual fruit-bearing vine recognized for its bright orange skin covered with distinctive horn-like spikes and refreshing green, jelly-like flesh. The fruits offer a unique tropical appearance and a mildly sweet, refreshing flavor often compared to cucumber, banana, and citrus. This warm-season climbing plant is an interesting addition to home gardens, vegetable patches, and fruit collections.
Kiwano Melon
Exotic Fruit
Spiky Orange Fruits
Warm-Season Vine
Key Features
Refreshing Green Flesh
Features juicy, jelly-like green pulp containing edible seeds, making it an interesting exotic fruit for fresh consumption.
Climbing Vine Growth
Develops spreading and climbing vines that can be trained along garden trellises, fences, and suitable supports.
Exotic Garden Variety
Adds something different to home vegetable gardens and fruit-growing spaces with its unusual fruits and foliage.
Product Highlights
Also known as Kiwano or Jelly Melon
Distinctive horn-covered fruits
Bright orange fruit when ripe
Juicy green jelly-like pulp
Edible seeds inside the fruit
Vigorous climbing and spreading vine
Suitable for trellis cultivation
Thrives in warm growing conditions
Interesting addition to exotic fruit gardens
Specifications
| Scientific Name | Cucumis metuliferus |
| Common Name | Horned Melon, Kiwano, Jelly Melon, African Horned Cucumber |
| Plant Family | Cucurbitaceae |
| Seed Type | Vegetable / Exotic Fruit Seeds |
| Plant Type | Warm-season annual fruit-bearing vine |
| Growth Habit | Climbing and spreading vine |
| Fruit Shape | Oval to oblong with horn-like spikes |
| Fruit Color | Green when young, yellow-orange to bright orange when ripe |
| Flesh Color | Green, juicy, jelly-like pulp |
| Planting Season | Warm season, after the soil has warmed sufficiently |
| Seed Starting Method | Direct sowing or starting in individual containers |
| Sowing Depth | Approximately 1–2 cm |
| Germination Time | Approximately 5–14 days under suitable conditions |
| Germination Temperature | Approximately 20–35°C; around 22–28°C is suitable for starting seeds |
| Sunlight | Full sun, preferably 6–8 hours of direct sunlight |
| Soil Requirements | Fertile, organic-rich, well-drained soil |
| Soil pH | Approximately 6.0–7.0 |
| Watering | Regular watering; maintain consistent moisture without waterlogging |
| Plant Spacing | Approximately 50–80 cm between plants, with adequate room between rows |
| Support Requirement | Trellis, fence, or other sturdy climbing support recommended |
| Days to Maturity | Approximately 70–100 days, depending on climate and growing conditions |
| Harvesting Stage | When fruits develop their characteristic yellow-orange to orange color |
Growing Guide
Step 1: Prepare the Seeds
Select healthy Horned Melon seeds. Soaking seeds in lukewarm water for approximately 12–24 hours before sowing may help soften the seed coat and encourage even germination.
Select healthy Horned Melon seeds. Soaking seeds in lukewarm water for approximately 12–24 hours before sowing may help soften the seed coat and encourage even germination.
Step 2: Prepare the Soil
Choose a sunny garden location with fertile, loose, well-drained soil. Incorporate mature compost or well-decomposed organic matter to support healthy vine development.
Choose a sunny garden location with fertile, loose, well-drained soil. Incorporate mature compost or well-decomposed organic matter to support healthy vine development.
Step 3: Sow the Seeds
Sow seeds approximately 1–2 cm deep in individual pots or directly into warm garden soil. Maintain suitable moisture and warmth. Germination generally occurs within 5–14 days under favorable conditions.
Sow seeds approximately 1–2 cm deep in individual pots or directly into warm garden soil. Maintain suitable moisture and warmth. Germination generally occurs within 5–14 days under favorable conditions.
Step 4: Provide Sunlight and Support
Grow the seedlings in a location receiving plenty of direct sunlight. Install a sturdy trellis or climbing support to guide the spreading vines and keep developing fruits off the ground.
Grow the seedlings in a location receiving plenty of direct sunlight. Install a sturdy trellis or climbing support to guide the spreading vines and keep developing fruits off the ground.
Step 5: Water and Maintain the Plants
Water regularly, particularly during flowering and fruit development. Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizer, which can encourage leafy growth at the expense of fruit production. Monitor plants for common cucurbit pests and diseases.
Water regularly, particularly during flowering and fruit development. Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizer, which can encourage leafy growth at the expense of fruit production. Monitor plants for common cucurbit pests and diseases.
Step 6: Harvest the Horned Melons
Allow fruits to mature on the vine until their skin changes from green to yellow-orange or bright orange. Handle harvested fruits carefully because their horn-like spikes can be sharp.
Allow fruits to mature on the vine until their skin changes from green to yellow-orange or bright orange. Handle harvested fruits carefully because their horn-like spikes can be sharp.
Grow Something Extraordinary with Horned Melon
Bring an exotic touch to your garden with Horned Melon Seeds. Known for their striking spiky orange fruits, refreshing green pulp, and vigorous climbing vines, Kiwano melons offer an exciting growing experience for home gardeners and fruit enthusiasts. Provide plenty of sunlight, warm temperatures, fertile soil, and suitable climbing support to enjoy this unusual fruit-bearing plant in your garden.
Frequently Asked Questions
Discover helpful answers about Horned Melon seed germination, fruit ripening, and growing requirements.
How do you know when a Kiwano or Horned Melon is ripe?
A ripe Horned Melon typically changes from green to yellow-orange or bright orange as it matures. The characteristic horn-like spikes become more noticeable against the colorful skin. For the best eating quality, allow the fruit to develop its mature color on the vine before harvesting.
Can Horned Melon grow on a trellis in a small garden?
Yes. Horned Melon is a climbing and spreading vine that can be trained along a sturdy trellis, garden fence, or vertical support. Vertical cultivation helps organize vine growth and makes developing fruits easier to observe and harvest. Provide enough space for its vigorous branches and use suitable support for the developing fruits.
What does Horned Melon taste like, and can you eat its seeds?
Horned Melon has juicy, green, jelly-like flesh with a refreshing flavor often described as a combination of cucumber, citrus, and mild banana notes. The small seeds inside the pulp are edible. The ripe fruit can be scooped out and enjoyed fresh or added to fruit salads, smoothies, and other refreshing preparations.