Bottle Gourd Dipper

Bottle Gourd Dipper — variety description

Bottle Gourd Dipper (Lagenaria siceraria) is an annual vegetable of the Gourd family (Cucurbitaceae). Bottle gourds are sprawling plants that produce huge quantities of fruit during the growing season.

Drinking cups, birdhouses and other decorative items can be made from the gourds they produce.

This is one ornamental squash worth keeping an eye on.

The plants can yield an average of 4-6 fruits. When the green skin of the gourd begins to turn brown, it is time to harvest it.

The bottle gourd (calabash) is a fast-growing climbing squash with ornamental fruits that, once dried, are made into containers, bird feeders and souvenirs. Young fruits are edible.

Key features

• Measured germination rate of the batch: 95%
• Pack size: 1 g
• Seed origin: China
• Sowing: April; seedlings
• Harvest: October
• Position: sunny spot

When to sow Bottle Gourd Dipper

Bottle Gourd Dipper seeds are sown in April. Harvest takes place in October. The months are a guide for a temperate climate — in warmer areas sow 1–2 weeks earlier, in cooler or upland areas, later.

How to sow and grow Bottle Gourd Dipper

• Sowing method: seedlings
• Depth: 2–3 cm
• Spacing: 1–1.5 m, with support
• Germination: 7–14 days at 25 °C
• Position: sunny spot

The seeds can be sown directly outdoors when the weather is warm, 110 - 120 days before the desired harvest date. Make sure you have removed all unwanted plants before sowing the gourds. The gourd vine loves a sunny position with well-drained, fertile soil. Sow 2 cm below the topsoil surface. Water the seeds and plants daily, close to the roots, to avoid mould.

Soak the seeds for 24 hours before sowing. Plant next to a fence, pergola or trellis in a sunny position; water generously.

Harvest and use

To dry, leave the fruits on the plant until the stalk turns yellow, then dry them in a ventilated place for 2–3 months.

Frequently asked questions

When should Bottle Gourd Dipper be sown?

The recommended sowing month is April. Sowing method: seedlings.

What is the germination rate of the seeds?

The measured germination rate of this batch is 95%. The test was carried out under controlled laboratory conditions; in the field, emergence depends on soil, temperature and moisture.

How is a gourd dried?

Pick fully ripe fruits, wash them and leave them in a dry, ventilated place. They are ready when they are light and the seeds rattle inside.