Wax Gourd Winter Melon F1 Vegetable Seeds

WAX GOURD ‘Winter Melon’ F1 Vegetable Seeds

Botanical Name: Benincasa hispida

• Also known as ash gourd, winter melon, or white gourd—staple in Chinese, Indian, and Southeast Asian cuisine.
• Produces large, oval fruits with smooth green skin that develops a powdery white wax coating as it matures.
• Young fruits have a mild flavour and soft texture—perfect for soups, curries, and stir-fries.
• Mature fruits store well and are ideal for slow-cooked broths and traditional desserts.
• F1 hybrid variety bred for high yields, vigorous growth, and uniform fruit size.
• Sprawling or climbing vine—grow along the ground or support on sturdy trellises.
• Requires warm, humid growing conditions and a long season to reach full maturity.

Plant Details

• Plant Type: Annual climbing or sprawling vine
• Plant Height: Vines can spread 4–6 m with support

Sowing Information

• Germination: 7–14 days (optimal soil temperature: 25–32°C)
• Depth: 2–3 cm deep
• Position: Full sun
• Sow Where: Direct into garden beds or raised mounds; thin to strongest seedlings
• Soil Type: Rich, well-drained soil with plenty of compost or aged manure; pH 6.0–7.5
• Spacing: 90 cm between plants; 150 cm between rows or mounds

Growing Tips

• Pre-soak seeds overnight to speed up germination.
• Support young vines with trellises or allow space for them to sprawl.
• Mulch well to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
• Feed with balanced liquid fertiliser every 2–3 weeks during active growth.
• Water consistently during flowering and fruiting to prevent bitterness or splitting.
• Harvest young for cooking or wait until fruits are fully mature with white waxy coating.

Harvest

Harvest in 90–120 days after sowing. Pick when fruits are full-sized and skin has a pale waxy coating. Mature fruits can be stored for several months in cool, dry conditions.

When to Sow Wax Gourd in Your Climate