THE CHINESE CUCURBITS - Growing Chinese Vegetables in Your Own Backyard - page 24

Make a slow-dripping, self-watering can by punching holes in a coffee can, filling it with water, and sink-
ing it into the ground next to each vine.
If you added fertilizer before planting as suggested, side-dressing isn't essential, but
it's still a good idea. Side-dress (or water with fish-and-seaweed fertilizer) when the
flowers appear and every two weeks thereafter.
Frequent watering means the soil will be moist a good deal of the time. This can
cause fruits to rot from resting on the ground. Mulch with hay or straw or similar dry
mulch material for the fruits to rest on, or elevate individual fruits on small, empty
plastic tubs or coffee cans.
If you want to grow the vine up a support, be sure the support is sturdy enough to
hold the large fruits. The legs of old panty hose or strips of nylon bird netting make
good slings when the fruits get too heavy for the vine and need to be supported (see
illustration on page 30).
How to Harvest
Young leaves and flower buds can be harvested whenever they appear. Immature mel-
ons can be cut from the vines as you want them. Mature melons are unmistakable: they
are covered with a heavy white waxy coating when fully ripe. Use clippers to cut them
from the vine, leaving some stem attached to the fruit.
Varieties
Several varieties of winter melon are now available.
Varieties to look for: Hybrid Wonder Wax, Round Tong Gwa, Hybrid Small Round.