Wax gourd

Where does Wax gourd grow?

Found in: Africa, American Samoa, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Botswana, Cambodia, Central Africa, China, Congo, Cuba, Dominican Republic, East Africa, East Timor, Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Laos, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mariana Islands, Marquesas, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, New Caledonia, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Philippines, Rotuma, SE Asia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Southern Africa, South America, Sri Lanka, Tahiti, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, United States, Vanuatu, Vietnam, West Indies, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Notes: There is only one Benincasa species. Because the rootstocks are resistant to several pests they are sometimes used as rootstocks for grafting on other pumpkin family plants.

Status: It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. These gourds are grown in most places where Chinese have moved and where the climate is warm enough. They are mainly grown near coastal towns in Papua New Guinea for sale to Chinese. They sell for a high price. Leaves are sold in local markets.

Growing Wax gourd

Cultivation: It is grown from seeds. There are about 1800 seeds in a kg. Seed are sown 3-5 cm deep with a spacing of 60-80 cm between plants. If plants are going to be allowed to trail over the ground a spacing of about 3 m is necessary. Seed can be sown in nurseries and transplanted when 15-20 cm tall. They are usually planted in mounds and allowed to grow over a strong trellis. They can be allowed to stay on the ground. Decayed manure or compost is used where available. Plants are responsive to sulphate of ammonia. Flowering normally starts 60-80 days after planting. Flowers are open in the early morning. Hand pollination may assist fruit development. This becomes more important in colder areas. Thinning of fruit gives larger fruit. The growing tips of plants can be pruned out to encourage branching or to restrict growth.

Edible Uses: The white flesh is added to stir fried dishes. The seeds are fried and eaten. Young leaves and flower buds can be cooked and eaten. The young fruit are used as a vegetable. The mature fruit are peeled, cut in pieces and candied.

Production: Fruit are ready 3-5 months after planting. The fruit keeps well when fully mature. They can be stored for 6 months at 13-15°C in a dry atmosphere. The pulp of wax gourds can be shredded and dried for later use.

Nutrition Info

Wax gourd Photos

References

Wax gourd references Benincasa hispida

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