Is this Horned Melon (forum)

Karen starts with ...
This self seeded beside a poor mandarin tree so we thought we would let it grow. I think it might be a horned melon and if so should I destroy it as from what I have read it is a noxious weed?
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Time: 18th February 2012 10:14am

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About the Author Karen10
Tamworth NSW
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Brendan says...
Hi Karen, we used to call them Prickley Cucumbers. They used to be a pest in the canefields up here, but they are a fairly good cucumber tastewise.

Time: 18th February 2012 10:48am

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About the Author Brendan
Mackay, Q
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KjW says...
Looks like an African Horned Cucumber > http://www.google.com.au/search?q=african+horned+cucumber&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=4fc&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&prmd=imvns&source=lnms&tbm=isch&ei=2CM_T_qVCpCUiAfU--nDBA&sa=X&oi=mode_link&ct=mode&cd=2&ved=0CBEQ_AUoAQ&biw=1346&bih=604

I've been trying for ages to grow one without any success :(

Time: 18th February 2012 3:00pm

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About the Author John42
Rockhampton
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snottiegobble says...
Looks like African HC, but spines seem too big. Bought one at a market 2 years ago,the seeds germinated & the vines grew well, but no flowers came! It looks like the remaining seeds have come up in between snake vines in half barrel.What should I do to encourage fruit?

Time: 18th February 2012 6:32pm

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Bunno & Busso ( smack in the middle)
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Brendan says...
Try some sulphate of potash SG.
Searles make a liquid potash, that should do the trick. It contains some phosphorus as well :-)

Time: 19th February 2012 9:55am

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About the Author Brendan
Mackay, Q
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snottiegobble says...
Thanks Brendan, will do!

Time: 22nd February 2012 6:00pm

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About the Author snottiegobble
Bunno & Busso ( smack in the middle)
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epiphany says...
Mmmm...kiwano. I haven't grown any in a couple of years but they're quite yummy (although I suspect it's one of those fruit you either love or hate). I wrote an article about them a while ago; http://myfolia.com/journals/84217-know-your-kiwano

Time: 23rd February 2012 12:54am

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About the Author epiphany3
 
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Linton says...
Kiwanos! How to Eat?

Got some Kiwanos - African Horned Melons from the fruit shop this week and tried them for the first time.

They are very juicy and I tried eating them in a variety of ways. Was pleasantly surprised by the tangy lemon flavour which is quite enjoyable, only problem is the seeds. I'm thinking that it's probably best to strain out the seeds, add some sweetener to the flourescent green jelly, and make it into a refreshing drink. These will be taken to Mark today for further sampling.

Please send me any good recipes if you have about preparing Kiwano. Thanks!
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Time: 12th May 2015 12:01pm

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Original Post was last edited: 12th May 2015 12:00pm

About the Author Linton
Springvale, Vic
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Yoda on DMT says...
Linton, if you do end up growing these, be aware they produce an absolutely gargantuan,terrifying invasive vine for very little yields compared to other melons you could be growing.

Not worth the hassle for me, fruit is just ok and tastes more like cucumber than melon.

Time: 12th May 2015 1:25pm

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About the Author Yoda on DMT
Trafalmadore
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Fay says...
I've tried them Linton, and was told to eat them with cream and honey. Cream from our goats milk and honey from our hives..... It went down very nicely as a dessert.

Time: 14th May 2015 12:57pm

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About the Author Fay
Toowoomba
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Linton says...
Don't think I'll be growing them........but can you tell me if you removed the seeds before eating the dessert with cream and honey. Thanks.

Time: 15th May 2015 7:59pm

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About the Author Linton
Springvale, Vic
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Markmelb says...
My opinion - Interesting - bit like eating seedy cucumber juice.
Tasted better with honey but didn't have any cream or ice cream
Seeds i didnt like but everyone on you tube ate the seeds - thanks Linton for the trial

Time: 15th May 2015 8:41pm

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About the Author Markmelb
MT WAVERLEY,3149,VIC
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Parkesy says...
I've grown 2 vines this past summer that still have quite a few fruits one them. They were slow to start with and didn't really take off until it got pretty warm around late December. None have fully ripened to that nice orange colour you see of them in photos. The vine is definitely a pain in the butt, It's also prickly and grows tnrough everything!
I like the taste but haven't found any friends or family that do yet. Tastes like watery, seedy cucumber crossed with unripe banana. Doesn't sound appealing, but in sushi, salads and nutri bullets is goes great!


Time: 15th May 2015 8:53pm

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About the Author Parkesy
Tootgarook Vic
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