FRUIT-INDIAN CREAM-MELON
FRUIT-INDIAN CREAM-MELON
A$3.50
Availability: 45 in stock
Seeds Per Pack: 25
Cucumis melo
FRUIT-INDIAN CREAM-MELON is one of the more unusual melons. It produces elongated fruit with smooth yellow-white skin, that splits open and peels back resembling a ‘Cobra’ hood when it is ripe. The flesh is dry with a distinctive aroma, sweet taste and creamy texture. Suitable as a flavour base for home-made ice-cream and delicious with ice-cream and honey. Sow Spring ~ Summer and all year in the tropics.
Space seeds 50 cm apart. Space rows 130 cm apart. Likes rich well-drained soil. Add lime to achieve pH. Water the roots to prevent mildew. And don’t overwater.
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How to grow Indian Cream Melon
- Choose the Right Location in well drained soil, full sun 21-32°C (70-90°F) for 6 – 8 hours a day.
- Prepare the soil by adding organic matter like compost or well-rotted manure.
- Soil pH should ideally be between 6.0 and 6.8. as Indian Cream Melons prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil.Plant seeds directly into the soil or start them indoors 3-4 weeks before the last frost date. S
- Sow the seeds 2.5 cm (1 inch) deep after the last frost day in Spring.
- Keep the soil consistently moist until the seedlings emerge, but do not overwater. Deep water once a week especially during dry spells. Avoid watering the leaves to prevent mildew
- Once the seedlings have two true leaves, thin them to leave the strongest plants.
- Space the Indian Cream Melon plants about 90-120 cm (36-48 inches) apart in rows that are 180-240 cm (72-96 inches) apart.
- Train the melon vines to grow on a trellis or a fence to keep the fruit off the ground and prevent rot. Fertilise with a balanced, all-purpose fertiliser when they begin to vine. Repeat the application every 3-4 weeks.
- Avoid excessive nitrogen, as it can result in lush foliage but fewer fruits.
- Indian Cream Melons are senstive to cold temperatures so protect the plants from late spring frosts by covering them with a frost blanket.
- Harvest at around 80 – 100 days after planting when the stem separates from the vine or gently twist the melon off the vine. The fruit should have a creamy-yellow colour and sweet fragrance. when harvesting.
Heritage of Indian Cream Melon
Indian Cream Melon, also known as Kharbuja, is believed to have originated in India, hence the name. Its cultivation has been passed down through generations and thus is deeply rooted in traditional agriculture, cultural and culinary practices. Belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family, it is known for its creamy texture, sweet flavour, and aromatic fragrance. Today, gardeners and farmers continue to preserve and propagate this heritage, celebrating the unique qualities of Indian Cream Melon.
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Category Colour Guide
Planting Guide for Australia
Scoville Heat Units (SHU)
Plant Height
60-90 cm (2-3 feet)
Season of Interest
Summer
Temperature Range
21-32°C (70-90°F)
Determine / Indeterminate
Annual / Perennial / Biennial
Annual
Frost Hardy / Tender
Frost Tender
Full Sun / Part Sun / Shade
Full Sun
Sow Direct / Raise Seedlings
Can be done both ways
Soil
Can be done both ways
pH
6.0-6.8
Soil Temperature
21-32°C (70-90°F)
Seed Preparation
No special preparation required
Sowing Depth
2.5 cm (1 in ch)
Plant Spacing
90-120 cm (36-48 inches)
Row spacing
180-240 cm (72-96 inches)
Watering
Consistent moisture, deep watering once a week
Germination Time (Days)
7-14 days
Harvest Time (Days)
80-100 days
Good Companion Plants
Corn, Nasturtium, Marigold, Radish, Basil
Bad Companion Plants
Potatoes, Cucumbers
Pests
Aphids, Spider Mites, Cucumber Beetles, Whiteflies
Diseases
Powdery Mildew, Downy Mildew, Anthracnose
More About Us
When I started this journey in 2009, I found nothing existed commercially, that was reasonably priced and easy to use. There was a homemade system which I also found was not that user-friendly.
Then a friend of mine told me about a homemade method she used. However, when I tried her method, I found this also didn’t suit my needs, as it too had flaws that I considered where important. It did not keep vermin out, did not have a lockable lid and (to me) looked unsightly in the garden
