20 Seeds GIANT ROUND Wax Gourd Seeds; Winter Melon; Ash Gourd; Dong Gua; 大白圓冬瓜; 40+ pounds possible

Description

20 Seeds GAINT WHITE ROUND WINTER MELON seeds; Wax Gourd; Ash Gourd; 40+ lbs possbile; 大白冬瓜; non-GMO heirloom; Kitazawa #320; mature in about 100 days. Germination rate 93%; tested 04/2021 Some winter melon growing tips: Sow the seeds indoor about three weeks before the last frost; soak the seeds overnight will improve germination rate. Use of fine starter fix, heating mat and grow light are highly recommended. Please allow two weeks for germination indoor, much longer if outdoor. Partial shade location is okay for southern or hot climate; full sun is preferred for zone 5 or colder climate For hill preparation, put lots of organic matters a foot below each hill (not much different than growing giant pumpkins) Hills should be five feet apart. If planting multiple rows, rows should be at least 10-ft apart Do not transplant too early, here is Chicago zone 5B, transplant over Memorial Day weekend is much safer than Mother’s Day weekend. Late frost could stun/shock the winter melon seedlings, and it may not show signs of growth for couple weeks. Once the young vine reaches 5-ft long, pinch-off/cut-off the tip of the vine to promote “bushy” growth Once female flowering is complete, pinch-off or cut-off the rest of the vine segment, so nutrients can be focused on the fruit For direct sowing or transplanting, only leave one strongest/healthiest plant per hill Expect two to three big winter melons per vine, or smaller fruits but a lot more Don’t over-water when fruits become bigger, or when weather is turning cooler (later summer into early autumn) Harvest the fruit when the head of the fruit start to dry up, or wait after the first frost. Keep the ground below the fruit dry (if not using trellis or climbing structure), as winter melon could rot if ground beneath is too wet. Harvesting several hundred pounds of winter melons with these 20 seeds are very doable, assuming you have a the space for vines to roam, and lots organic nutrients & reasonable watering intervals.