Whole and cut Kiwano Rund Jelly Melons on a white background.
Kiwano Rund Jelly Melon with melon juice and yogurt pudding cup on a light background.
Several Kiwano Rund Jelly Melons in a ceramic bowl, most whole and one sliced in half.
Kiwano Rund Jelly Melon and tendrils on a dark blue background.
Whole and cut Kiwano Rund Jelly Melons on a white background.
Kiwano Rund Jelly Melon with melon juice and yogurt pudding cup on a light background.
Several Kiwano Rund Jelly Melons in a ceramic bowl, most whole and one sliced in half.
Kiwano Rund Jelly Melon and tendrils on a dark blue background.

Jelly Melon Seeds,
Kiwano Rund

3.510 ReviewsSKU: #JM102Min. seed count: 10
Price
Regular price $3.00
Regular price $0.00 Sale price $3.00
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Description

Round version of our popular Jelly Melon. Fruit is about 3 inches in diameter, covered in intriguing points. The skin is pale peach to ivory colored. Flesh is juicy, sweet, and delicious. The flavor is often compared to banana and lemon. Vines reach 5 to 10 feet, may be trellis grown. Very cute and just plain fun!

Growing Tips: Direct seed or set previously started transplants outdoors 2-3 weeks after last spring frost date. Provide rich soil well amended with compost. Trellis-growing conserves space.

Plant Details

Botanical Name
Cucumis metuliferus
Life Cycle
Annual
Growth Habit
Vining
Sun Requirement
8–12 hr.
Days to Germinate
7–14
Days to Maturity
120
Planting Depth
½ in.
Plant Spacing
12–24 in.
Ideal Temperature
75–90°F
Frost Hardy
No

When to Grow

Kiwano Rund is a warm-season annual vine and is not frost hardy. Direct sow in full sun once all danger of frost has passed, or start seed indoors and transplant into the garden when temperatures are consistently above 65 F. Sow 1/2 inch deep and expect germination in 7-14 days. Space the plants 18 inches apart and give the 5- to 10-foot vines something to climb.

How to Sow and Plant

  • Direct sow in a full sun area once all danger of frost has passed.
  • Alternatively, start indoors and transplant into the garden when temperatures are consistently above 65 F.
  • Sow seeds 1/2 inch deep.
  • Seeds will germinate in 14-21 days.

How to Grow

  • Space plants 18 inches apart.
  • Keep kiwano melon well mulched during the heat of summer.
  • Try growing this unique fruit on trellis or fencing to showcase its stunning visual appeal!
  • Provide full sun and rich soil, well amended with compost.
  • Water regularly.

PESTS/SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

  • Pickle worms can be a pest (this is the caterpillar stage of a moth that lays eggs at night).
  • To prevent pickleworm, cover your jelly melon vines in a floating row cover at night to prevent the moth from laying eggs.
  • Be sure to remove the row cover during the day to allow insects to pollinate the flower so you can get fruit.
  • Bacillus thuringiensis is also an option for treating pickleworm.

How to Save Seeds

  • Jelly melon is cross incompatible with other cucumis species, which means there is no need to isolate the plants to prevent cross pollination (unless you are growing 2 different varieties of Cucumis metuliferus).
  • Jelly melon is an annual, so it will set fruit and produce seed in the first season.
  • The plants rely upon insects to pollinate their flowers.
  • Allow fruit to mature to a deep orange and become quite soft, then scoop out the seeds and ferment to remove pulp just as you would a tomato.
  • Air dry seeds for a few days, out of direct sunlight.
  • Just a few fruit will produce lots of healthy seeds.
  • Store seeds in a cool, dark, dry place.

FAQ

What do the fruits of Kiwano Rund look like?

Unlike the familiar horned type, this one is round, about 3 inches across and covered in intriguing points, with pale peach to ivory colored skin. The flesh is juicy and sweet, with a flavor often compared to banana and lemon.

Something is boring into my Kiwano Rund fruit. What is it?

Pickleworms can be a pest; they are the caterpillar stage of a moth that lays eggs at night. Covering the vines with a floating row cover at night keeps the moth off, but remove the cover during the day so insects can pollinate the flowers and set fruit. Bacillus thuringiensis is another option for treating pickleworm.

Will Kiwano Rund cross with my cucumbers or melons if I save seed?

No. Jelly melon is cross incompatible with other Cucumis species, so there is no need to isolate it unless you are growing two different varieties of Cucumis metuliferus. Plants rely on insects for pollination and set seed in their first season.
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