Description
CUCUMBER African Horned (KIWANO) seeds
Cucumis metuliferus
Pack: 15 seeds, 5g
African Horned Cucumber (Jelly Melon, Kiwano) is an annual vining vegetable native to NW Zambia where it is cultivated by indigenous farmers. The young fruits are mottled green and are wholly edible, tasting like a cucumber. The mature fruits are hard of shell, green and yellow striped, a scoopable source of nutritious seeds and life-giving water.
Some of the most impressive health benefits of Kiwano include its ability to improve cognitive ability, prevent certain types of chronic diseases, aid in weight loss, protect the skin, boost the metabolism, increase eye health, strengthen bones, optimise digestion, and speed up wound healing!!!
It is primarily used as a fruit snack or salad. It is eaten young, mature green or when ripe - bright yellow/orange (i.e eaten at any stage of its development) and it grows naturally in the fields and also in the bush.
Care and Growing Instructions
Cucumber requires warm, well-drained soil high in fertility, with a pH of 6–6.8. Consistent, adequate irrigation is needed to produce an abundant crop. Cucumbers are very sensitive to cold. Make sure both soil and air temperatures have warmed prior to planting. Using plastic mulch and row covers will greatly enhance the vigour and potential yields of cucumbers by providing warmth and insect protection.
In frost areas, sow undercover in seed trays in early spring. Plant out after last frosts. Sow indoors in 16-cell plug trays about 5-6mm deep, 1–2 seeds/cell, 3–4 weeks before transplanting. Keep the temperature above 21°C days and 16°C night with a heating pad underneath plug trays. Transplant 30cm apart. Do not disturb roots when transplanting.
In frost-free areas sow directly into the soil in early spring. However, wait until the soil is warm, at least 21°C. Cucumber seeds will not germinate at a soil temperature below 14°C. Sow 2 seeds per 30cm.
Spacing
Single Plants: 60cm each way (minimum)
Rows: 60cm with 60cm row gap (minimum)
Support plants well so they can climb upwards, even when the cucumbers get large. This also protects the cucumbers from slugs. Occasionally a plant can produce very bitter cucumbers so always test a bit before serving to others!
When flowers start forming, feed with a slow-release potassium-rich organic fertilizer. Fortnightly liquid feed from mid-summer.
Once fruit bearing begins, pick daily. Cut the cucumbers off the plant when they are still quite young, otherwise, the skin becomes hard and will need peeling. More cucumbers will then be produced.
Propagation notes will be supplied with a seed packet.
All orders ship from Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Where We Ship
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All over Australia, including WA & TAS. We do not ship seeds outside Australia.
Processing Times
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Order dispatch or packing time, 1 to 3 business days. Weekends and public holidays excluded. Transit time is additional.
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Western Australia orders are packed each Thursday and handed to Australia Post on Friday. Place WA orders before Wednesday 11:59 PM Sydney time for Friday dispatch.
Delivery Options and Prices
Standard Post and Parcels, Australia Post or courier
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Typical delivery time, 3 to 10 business days. Remote WA and NT may take longer.
| Order contents | Price |
|---|---|
| Seed packets only, or any seeds or garden supplies up to 200 g | $3.95 |
| Upgrade seed packet delivery to tracked letter | Add $4.00 |
| Mixed items 200 g to 400 g | $5.95 |
| Mixed items 401 g to 2 kg | $8.95 |
| Mixed items over 2 kg, including seed potatoes, tubers, canes, rhizomes | $13.95 |
| Free Standard on orders over $150, any weight | Free |
Free letter option for small seed orders
Seed packet orders under 1 g qualify for free untracked domestic letter shipping when the order value is $40 or more after discounts. Delivery for untracked letters may take 5 to 12 business days, sometimes longer.
Express Post and Parcels, Australia Post or courier
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Typical delivery time is 1 to 3 business days. WA, NT, TAS, and remote areas may take longer.
| Order contents | Price |
|---|---|
| Seed packets only | $16 |
| Seed packets and bulk weight-based seeds up to 500 g | $19 |
| Bulk seeds 0 to 500 g | $19 |
| Bulk seeds 501 g to 1 kg | $21 |
| Bulk seeds 1.01 kg to 3 kg | $26 |
| Bulk seeds 3.01 kg to 5 kg | $45 |
| Bulk seeds 5.01 kg to 10 kg | $80 |
| Bulk seeds 10.01 kg to 15 kg | $120 |
Important for WA Express
We do not provide Express parcel service for WA orders because Quarantine inspection delays delivery, which defeats the purpose of Express.
State Specific Requirements and Fees
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Western Australia, add $6 per order for Quarantine inspection. All WA seed orders go to Quarantine WA for inspection. Tracking (if any) is activated after inspection, which may take up to 10 business days from our packing date. Delivery within WA generally takes an additional 1 to 5 business days after release from Perth Airport.
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Tasmania, add $3 per order for Biosecurity paperwork. Maximum 1 kg per seed line item. Biosecurity Tasmania restrictions apply.
Tracking and Delivery
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You will receive a dispatch email with a tracking number when your order ships from our warehouse. Some small-value orders may ship as untracked letters.
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Signature on delivery is available. Add $3.95. If not selected, the carrier may leave the parcel in a safe place, your letterbox if it fits, or at a collection point. ID may be required for Registered or Signature services.
Delivery Timeframes and Late or Missing Orders
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Dispatch and delivery times are estimates. Events outside our control, such as weather or carrier delays, can affect timing.
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We use Australia Post guidelines to decide when an order is considered late or missing.
When an order is considered missing
| Service | Usual delivery time | Time before an order is counted as missing | Review period before replacement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy delivery | 3 to 7 business days | 20 business days | 2 to 3 business days |
| Express delivery | 1 to 3 business days | 5 business days beyond Australia Post’s estimate | 2 to 3 business days |
Delivery guarantee
If your order is lost or damaged in transit, we will work with you on a fair resolution, which may include a full refund, an upgrade to tracked delivery at a subsidised rate, or a one-time replacement. If we resend an order, that replacement is final and is sent at your own risk. No further refund or replacement will be provided.
Important Notes
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We process orders after receiving cleared payment.
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Postage rates are per order. We may combine multiple orders to the same recipient at the same address into one shipment.
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Shipping charges are not discounted during product sales.
Need Help?
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Phone, 1800 733 399
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Business hours, Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm NSW time (AEDT or AEST depending upon daylight savings)
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Address, PO Box 148, Riverstone NSW 2765
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ABN, 63 634 537 492
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you ship outside Australia
No. We only ship within Australia.
How long does Standard delivery take
Most orders arrive in 3 to 10 business days. Remote WA and NT may take longer.
How long does Express delivery take
Most orders arrive in 1 to 3 business days. WA, NT, TAS, and remote areas may take longer.
Do WA orders have delays?
Yes. WA orders go through Quarantine inspection. Tracking activates after inspection.
Can I get a signature on delivery?
Yes. You can add a signature on delivery for $3.95.
When is an order considered missing
We follow Australia Post guidelines. See the timeframes above.
Estimate shipping
Shipping Restrictions
Western Australia Customers: We can ship most seed line items, except Quarantine WA restricted seed lines to WA. To help us ship your order as quickly and efficiently as possible, please do not include any seed items prohibited in WA; they are listed with the label 'NOT to WA'. Due to quarantine restrictions in WA, there is a 10kg seeds limit per variety. WA orders require additional handling time. Please remain within an approved limit when ordering seeds. We review every WA order before dispatch and remove (or reduce) excess seed quantity from your order to comply with WA biosecurity regulations. Please check further information here
Tasmania Customers: We can ship seeds to Tasmania. Please do not include seed line items labeled 'NOT to TAS'. Please note that the maximum allowable limit per permitted seed line item is 1kg per order.