Cucumis metuliferus , horned melon or kiwano , also African horned cucumber or melon , jelly melon , hedged pumpkin , melano , is an annual vine in cucumber and melon families, Cucurbitaceae . The fruit has thorns like horns, hence the name "horned melon". The ripe fruit has orange and lime-green peel, the meat is like jelly with refreshing fruit flavor, and the texture is similar to passion fruit or pomegranate. C. metuliferus comes from Sub-Saharan Africa. It now grows in the United States, Portugal, Italy, Germany, Chile, Australia, and New Zealand.
Kiwano is a traditional food factory in Africa. Along with the sea cucumber Gemsbok ( Acanthosicyos naudinianus ) and Tsamma (Citron melon) it is one of several water sources during the dry season in the Kalahari Desert. In northern Zimbabwe it is called gaka or gakachika , and is mainly used as a snack or salad, and is rarely for decoration. It can be eaten at any stage of cooking, but when overcooked, it will explode forcefully to release the seeds.
Fruit flavor has been compared to a combination of banana and passion fruit or a combination of bananas, cucumbers and lime. A small amount of salt or sugar can increase the taste. Some also eat their skin, which is very rich in vitamin C and dietary fiber. The fruit can be used for cooking, but when eaten raw, most siphoning the dregs.
The fruit can be used in a smoothie, salad, salsa or cocktail.
Video Cucumis metuliferus
Germination
Sealing the optimum temperature of germination is between 20 ° C and 35 ° C (68 ° to 95 ° F). The germination is delayed at 12 ° C (54 ° F), and is inhibited at temperatures lower than 12 ° C or above 35 ° C. Thus, it is recommended to sow in a tray and transplant into the field at two leaf stages correct. The best time to move to open land is in the spring when the soil and air temperature rise to about 15 ° C (59 ° F).
Maps Cucumis metuliferus
Pests and diseases
It was found that kiwano is resistant to some node roots, two accessions found to be highly resistant to watermelon mosaic virus (WMV-1), but very sensitive to Squash mosaic virus (SqMV). Some accessions were found to succumb to Fusarium wilt. Resistance to Whitefly Greenhouse is reported. Kiwano is reportedly resistant to Powdery mildew, but in Israel the powdery mildew and Squash mosaic virus (SqMV) attack the kiwano fields and steps must be taken.
Gallery
References
External links
Media related to Cucumis metuliferus in Wikimedia Commons
- Cucumis metuliferus in West African factories - A Photo Guide.
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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