Round Yellow Kiwano (Cucumis metulliferus)

Round Yellow Kiwano (Cucumis metulliferus): a rare variey that concludes our collection, in fact there are three cultivars known so far. The fruits of this "Jelly Melon" are spherical in shape with a diameter of about 6 cm, they hold a beautiful yellow colour and contain many seeds floating in a gelatinous shell. This is the edible part: the taste is bittersweet and, only for this cultivar, it has a persistent citrus scent. Many complain of a lack of taste in the fruits of this species, actually, having a prolonged ripening time, especially if not properly exposed (full sun on climbing support) it is harvested still immature. Cultivation is not difficult, it is necessary to provide support for large climbers so that the aerial part can develop correctly, it can in fact reach 5 m for each plant, each of which will produce many fruits. The plant is strongly macrothermal, loves hot summers and full sun. To be sown from March with a temperature of at least 15°C constant in seedbed, transplant when temperatures are constantly above this temperature. Kiwano is great for trying new tastes, but cultivation is more for botanical interest than for consumption. Kiwano is part of the species included in our experimentation on dry farming in response to climate change, it has a limited water requirement, excellent resistance to high temperatures and its highly developed aerial part can provide natural shading to other more sensitive crops.