This auction is for one packet of Benincasa hispida (Chinese Winter Melon, Dung Gua or Wax Gourd) seeds. Contains 10 or more seeds.

Dung Gua literaly means "Winter melon", for the skin of the melon is covered in wax and this enables it to be stored and eaten during Winter.

The melons are giants and can grow to 30Kg, although in NZ, typically it grows to 3-4Kg.

The plant grows like a pumpkin, but less hardy. In colder areas, the seed must be started indoors and planted out after the last frosts. In warmer areas, the seed can be sown ourdoors where the plant is to grow.

Shorter day lengths and cooler temperature causes more female flowers to be produced and warmer temperatures stimulate male flower production. The vine requires 5 months to produce mature fruit, although immature fruit is normally eaten, and they have a superior flavour.

A very nutrituous gourd, it is commonly used in Oriental / Chinese cooking for soups, curries and for preserving. The fruit is very in low fat (0.2%) and in calories (13 per 100g), and high in minerals: Calcium, phosphorous, iron, pottasium, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin and vitamin C. Young leaves and flower buds are steamed and eaten as a vegetable. The seeds are cracked and the kernels eaten.

You might also be interested in the following melons seeds:

• Bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria)
• Butternut squash (Cucurbita moshata)
• Cantaloupe - Rockmelon
• Honeydew - supersweet
• Heirloom Honeydew - Yellow Canary
• Prince melon (green derishi)
• Pumpkin
• Spaghetti Melon
• Melons Selection - an economical way to purchase more than one seed.

Full germination instructions and culture notes included.

Please feel free to ask me any questions.

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CMEGT Code: C2170