Benincasa hispida is an annual climbing vine native to Southeast Asia, commonly called wax gourd or winter melon. It produces large edible fruits with a white, crisp flesh used extensively in Asian cuisine. The plant requires warm conditions and high soil temperatures for optimal seed germination.
Before sowing
KNO3 priming (3-5%) with aeration can enhance germination rates and speed
Sowing
What to expect
Tips
High soil temperatures required for optimum germination. Bilateral seeds germinate faster and more uniformly than unilateral seeds. Seed priming with KNO3 solution significantly improves germination rates. Maintain minimum 10°C night temperature for seedlings. Soil temperature must reach at least 18°C (65°F) for outdoor planting.
Sources: Tropical Plants Database (tropical.theferns.info), PROSEA Database, Practical Plants, PFAF Plant Database, Missouri Botanical Garden, Agriculture and Natural Resources journal, Agri Guru, Australian Seed Supplier
