Asian Cucurbits
This group includes cucurbit fruits that can be eaten either immature or
mature and several vegetables with edible tender stems and leaves. All
can be grown on raised beds, with or without plastic mulch, and with drip,
overhead, or subsurface irrigation. Most of the crops are trellised, primarily
to
caused by over-shading and exposure to soil moisture and pathogens, and
to promote straight fruit. Winter melon is the exception since it is generally
too heavy to trellis. Fertilizer recommendations for cucumbers are applicable
for fuzzy melon, long gourd, both luffas, Chinese cucumber, bittermelon, and
snake gourd. There are two types of bittermelon: Indian and Chinese. The
Indian type has smaller fruit with dark green color and rough skin, and the
Chinese type has larger fruit with light green color and smooth skin. Chinese
cucumber, though rarely commercially available, similar to European cucumber,
has fruit more than 1 foot long with dark green color, very thin and rough
skin and crisp texture. Recommendations for watermelon should be followed
for winter melon and chayote. With the exception of chayote, where the entire
fruit is planted, these crops are started from seed and grown as transplants
Table 7.7. Planting information for Asian cucurbits.
Planting dates Bittermelon Long gourd Angled luffa Smooth luffa
North Florida Feb – Apr; July – Aug Feb – Apr; July – Aug Feb – Apr; July – Aug Feb – Apr; July – Aug
Central Florida Jan – Mar; Sept Jan – Mar; Sept Jan – Mar; Sept Jan – Mar; Sept
South Florida Sept - Feb Sept - Feb Sept - Feb Sept - Feb
Planting information
Distance between rows (in) 60 – 72 60 – 72 60 – 72 60 – 72
Distance between plants (in) 36 – 60 36 – 60 36 – 60 36 – 60
Days to maturity from seed 80 – 100
Plant populations (acre) 2904 2904 2904 2904
Planting dates Fuzzy melon Snake gourd Chayote Winter melon
North Florida Feb-Apr; July-Aug Feb-Apr; July-Aug Not recommended Feb – Apr
Central Florida Jan – Mar; Sept Jan – Mar; Sept Not recommended Jan – Mar
South Florida Sept - Feb Sept - Feb Sept - Feb Dec 15 – Mar 1
Planting information
Distance between rows (in) 60 – 72 60 – 72 60 – 72 72 – 108
Distance between plants (in) 36 – 60 36 – 60 36 – 60 36 – 72
Seeding depth (in) 1.5 – 2.0 1.5 – 2.0 Whole fruit is used: It
should be covered half way
1.5 – 2.0
Seed per acre 2904 – whole fruit
Plant populations (acre) 2904 2904 2904 1452-2420
Cultivars
Table 7.8. Cultivars for Asian cucurbits.
Bittermelon (Chinese)* Bittermelon (Indian)* Winter Melon Snake Gourd* Angled Luffa*
Hong Kong Green Hybrid India Star Giant Wax Buag Ngu Bonanza
Hybrid Bangkok Large India Green Queen Hybrid Red Doll Extra Long Dancer Buam Liam Hybrid
Japan Green Sprindle India Green Long Hybrid Small Round Long EX Hybrid Green Glory
Taiwan Large Palee Hybrid Wonder Wax Hybrid Snaky Lucky Boy
Round Tong Gwa Polo Summer Long
Smooth Luffa* Long Gourd* Fuzzy Melon* Chayote*
Dok Hybrid Bitter Gourd Long Chiang Shin Joker The seed is the viviparous fruit itself. There is some debate as to
whether varieties remain true. Fruit purchased from grocery stores
may not sprout.
Hybrid Smooth Beauty Hybrid Asia Short Mokwa
Smooth Boy Hybrid India Long Mokwa Long
Seven Star Long
* = Should be trellised
2019 Vegetable Production Handbook of Florida 57