Description

Annual climbing plant with woody rootstock covered in stiff hair or bristles. Monoecious flowers, yellow petals approximately 2.5 cm (1 inch) in diameter. Leaves 3 to 6 inches across, rounded to egg-shaped or nearly kidney-shaped, often five-angled, sometimes shallowly three- to seven-lobed, wavy-toothed, hairy to somewhat rough. Kekiri draws bees, and therefore is helpful for attracting pollinators to the garden.

The fruit is a fleshy, edible berry (botanically known as a pepo), varying in shape from spherical to oblong, depending on the cultivar. The size, color, and flavor can vary significantly:

• Rind: May be green, yellow, tan, beige, or white, with a surface that can be smooth, rough, warty, scaly, or netted.
• Flesh: Ranges from pale green to orange, with a soft, juicy texture.
• Flavor: Often sweet and aromatic, with a characteristic musky scent when ripe.
• Seeds: cream-colored,embedded in the center of the fruit.

As a food, Kekiri is versatile. The flesh has a delicate, sometimes watery flavor: it can be eaten fresh, used in salads, or served as a dessert. Immature fruits can be used similarly to cucumbers.

Planting requirements

Planting season: Can be grown year round

Planting conditions:

Growing conditions:

Harvesting

Harvest mature fruit by cutting stalk with a sharp knife.

Curing

Kekiri does not require a curing stage.

Storage

For optimal quality and flavor, whole Kakiri should be consumed immediately after harvesting. If not eaten right away, they can be stored in the refrigerator.

Protecting your plants

Pest control

Pest type:

• Red Pumpkin Beetle (Raphidopalpa foveicollis)
• Melon Worm (Diaphania hyalinata)
• Leaf Miner Fly (Liriomyza trifolii)
• Melon Thrips (Thrips palmi)

Symptoms:

• Red Pumpkin Beetle: Severe damage on leaves and stems, primarily affecting young foliage; leaves become ragged with signs of feeding
• Melon Worm: Serpentine mines in leaves; wilting and reduced vigor in plants
• Leaf Miner Fly: Serpentine mines on leaves; affected leaves may turn yellow and drop prematurely
• Melon Thrips: Leaves exhibit yellowing, mottling, and bronzing due to sap-sucking activity

Control method:

• Red Pumpkin Beetle: Maintain field sanitation; apply recommended insecticides; hand-pick adult beetles when possible
• Melon Worm: Use insecticides targeting caterpillars; maintain crop rotation to disrupt the lifecycle
• Leaf Miner Fly: Implement insecticide applications; promote beneficial insects that prey on leaf miners
• Melon Thrips: Use insecticidal sprays; monitor for thrip populations regularly

Disease Control

Disease type:

• Downy Mildew (Pseudoperonospara cubensis)
• Powdery Mildew (Erysiphe spp.)
• Charcoal Rot (Macrophomina phaseolina)
• Cucumber Mosaic Virus (CMV)

Symptoms:

• Downy Mildew: Initial yellow patches on leaves progress to brown lesions; white fluffy growth may appear on the undersides of affected leaves
• Powdery Mildew: White powdery spots develop on older leaves, leading to yellowing and eventual leaf drop
• Charcoal Rot: Yellowing leaves; water-soaked lesions at the soil line; amber gummy exudate from stems
• Cucumber Mosaic Virus: Mottling of leaves; stunted growth; distorted fruits; can lead to significant yield losses

Management:

• Downy Mildew: Apply fungicides such as Mancozeb or Metalaxyl; ensure good air circulation; practice crop rotation
• Powdery Mildew: Use fungicides like Mancozeb or Captan; remove infected plant debris; maintain proper spacing for airflow
• Charcoal Rot: Rotate crops every two years; remove infected plant debris promptly; apply appropriate fungicides
• Cucumber Mosaic Virus: Remove infected plants immediately; control aphid populations that spread the virus; use resistant varieties if available

Sources

In addition to our General List of Sources (link), we used these specific references: