5 Seeds Benincasa hispida Wax Gourd Winter Melon Vegetable

Benincasa hispida, commonly known as wax gourd or winter melon, is a warm-season vining vegetable prized for its large, mild-flavored fruit and long storage life. This plant is well suited to home gardens and market plots, where its robust growth and sprawling habit make it a productive addition to the summer vegetable patch.
The immature and mature fruit is used in a wide range of savory dishes such as soups, stir-fries, and braised preparations, while the sturdy vines can be grown on trellises or left to sprawl along the ground. The harmless powdery substance on the fruit surface acts as a natural preservative, allowing harvested gourds to remain usable for extended periods when kept in a cool, dry location.
Species: Benincasa hispida
Type: Annual vegetable
Plant_Habit: Vigorous trailing vine
Sun: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained, fertile loam
Days_to_Harvest: 90 to 120
Zones: 4 to 11
Germination: 7 to 14 days at 75 to 85 F
Sowing: Start indoors 3 to 4 weeks before last frost or direct sow after soil warms
Spacing: 36 to 48 inches between plants
Notes: Provide trellis or ample ground space for vines