Wax Melon
Wax melon is known by many different names, including winter melon, Chinese watermelon, white gourd, and white pumpkin. It resembles a watermelon when mature and is culinary versatile.
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Giant Bullet Head |
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Benincasa hispida |
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Easy to Intermediate |
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Intermediate |
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Best Guess–5 years if properly stored |
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Annual |
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7-21 days |
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Vine |
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Full sun |
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80-140 days |
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April, May |
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Yes |
Growing Tips
When to Start
Spring: Direct sow after the danger of frost has passed. (May 1 for Jefferson, GA)
How to Grow
Direct sow after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed. (May for Jefferson, GA.) Soak the seeds for 24 hours before planting. It is recommended to plant wax melon in hills in full sun. Create 2 x 2 feet hills and space them 4-6 feet apart. Sow 2-4 seeds per hill to a depth of 1 inch and space the seeds 12 inches apart. Thin to the 2 strongest seedlings.
Care
Wax melon likes well-draining soil and average water. Mulch helps keep the soil moist and suppress weeds. Thin and eat young fruit to get giant fruit.
Harvest
Wax melon fruit requires a long growing season and will mature in late fall. Young wax melon can be harvested and eaten like zucchini. Mature fruit can be candied, stewed, or stir-fried, and it is used in Moon Cakes. It is also a good substitute for zucchini. Store mature wax melon in a cool, dry place. It can be stored for 6-12 months.
Seed Saving
Isolation Distance
Wax melon or winter melon, Benincasa hispida, will cross with other wax melons. Isolate by 1/2 mile to prevent cross-pollination.
Instructions
Allow the large fruit to mature on the vine. Wait for the stems to shrivel and turn brown. Cut open the melon and scoop the seeds out. Carefully remove any pulp. Let the seeds dry in a warm, dry location, out of direct sunlight.
Store the seeds in a cool, dark, dry location.
Features
- Excellent storage quality
- Versatile
- Giant Bullet Head: Chinese heirloom. The waxy rind helps it last around 12 months in storage. The snow-white, savory flesh is often candied and stuffed into dessert pastries or stewed into hearty winter soups. It can also be stir-fried and is traditionally used to fill moon cakes for China’s Autumn Moon Festival.
Harvested young melons can be treated like zucchini. By harvesting the melons and keeping only a few on the vine, the plant will concentrate all of its energy into the few remaining melons. This will create large melons that can reach up to 75 LB!
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