Benincasa hispida
Wax gourd
Common names: Winter melon
Photo: Suyash.dwivedi · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source
This description was machine-translated.
Description
The wax gourd (Benincasa hispida) is native to South and East Asia. It earns its German name because a white waxy coating forms on the mature fruit, which protects it so well that it can be stored cool and dry for months, hence the name "Winter melon." The plant is a vigorous climber that requires plenty of warmth and space, producing large, mild fruits that are commonly used in Asian soups and curries. It is not toxic, but raw fruit is almost tasteless and is almost always cooked.
Care instructions
Start the plant indoors around mid‑April (week 16) and transplant it outdoors or into a greenhouse after the last frost, typically end of May (week 21). It needs a sturdy trellis or ample ground area, a nutrient‑rich, humus‑rich soil, and consistent moisture, dryness will keep the fruits small. Fertilise regularly during the growing season with mature compost and mulch around the root zone to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Harvest when the waxy coating has thickened, usually from September (week 36) to October. Store the fruit in a cool, dry place. Throughout the season watch for snail damage on young shoots, as the tender leaves are attractive in damp weather.
Soil & site
Soil pH
Soil type
well-drained, moist, humus-rich, nutrient-rich
Feeding
Heavy feeder
Companion planting
Good neighbors
legume family (Fabaceae)
Beans and peas enrich the soil with nitrogen, which cucurbits, as heavy feeders, can make good use of.
For example PeaBush beanPole beanBroad beanMarker peaSugar pea and 31 more species in the catalogue
Source: classic companion planting (DACH-Gartenpraxis)
Rather not
nightshade family (Solanaceae)
You should avoid planting potato and cucumber together because they share disease pathogens such as leaf and brown rot and stand in each other's way as strong feeders.
For example PotatoTomatoSweet pepperCocktail tomatoEggplantCape gooseberry and 9 more species in the catalogue
Source: basic crop-rotation rule
Companion planting is partly traditional gardening lore. Where the reason is known, it is given.
Some of these explanations were machine-translated.
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