The Chinese Preserving Melon is a frost-tender annual that is a native of southeast Asia. It spreads widely and produces yellow flowers. The leaves are 6 to 10 inches across and foul smelling. The fruits may are cylindrical to oblong and grow up to 16 inches long. The rind is waxy-white and covered with fine, silky fuzz. Other popular names include Wax Gourd and White Gourd. This melon is used in China for making sweet preserves, but is usually only grown in the U.S. for interest.

This plant should be grow in well-drained soil and given abundant amounts of manure or manure tea until the fruits have set. They should have plenty of room to sprawl or be trained up a strong trellis or arbor. They need full sun and grow best in regions with an 8 to 11 month growing season and plenty of rainfall or irrigation. The fruit matures in late summer to fall. Pick the Melons when they are small and cook like Summer Squash. Larger Melons can be used for stuffing.

The seeds are large and resemble those of the Pumpkin. They should be planted a foot apart on raised mounds of soil.

A. Taiwanese variety produces fruit up to 3 feet long.