Winter Melon 30 Seeds- Small Round,a.k.a. Wax Gourd, Tung Qwa, (Asian Vegetable) Winter Melon (Wax Gourd, Tung Qwa) (Benincasa hispida) Also known as Wax gourd, winter melon, fuzzy melon, and hairy melon. The fruit is covered by a white, chalky wax which deters microorganisms and helps impart an extraordinary longevity to the melon. Winter melon fruits can be stored for as long as a year without refrigeration. Ash gourd can be used in many variety of dishes from curries to soups to candies. More Details Wax Gourd, also called White Gourd, is a fast-growing, long-season, warm-climate vegetable. The plant produces fruits on vines, like the pumpkin on ground, which can grow up to 50 pounds. Fruits can be stored in a cool place for months and used later in the winter season. Thus this gourd is called Tong Qwa, meaning "Winter Melon" in Chinese. The unopened fruits can be kept fresh for a long time, but the flesh shall be used in cooking within a few days once the fruit is cut into pieces. This vigorous, prolific variety produces up to 16 fruits per plant. Green skinned fruit are fragrant and flavorful with a firm flesh growing to a size of 4"x 7" and weighing up to 1.5 pounds. Culinary tips: Delicious in soups and stews. Cut gourd open, scrape out seeds and cut into cubes to cook. Cultivation: Requires a long, warm growing season. Prepare fertile, well-drained soil. Sow seeds in spring/summer after last frost in a warm, sunny location. The seed coat is hard and should be soaked in warm water for 24 hours. Hill planting: Form soil into a 1-ft. diameter mound 3-4" tall. Space mounds 4 6' apart. On each mound plant 1-2 seeds. Row planting: See spacing info in chart. Keep soil moist. Fertilize as needed. Hand pollination may be necessary. Train to climb a vertical support for better air circulation and ease of harvest or leave vine on the ground. Fruit can be stored in a dry, cool environment during winter months (avoid direct contact with concrete). QTY: 30 SEEDS