Bottle Gourd Giant

What Bottle Gourd Giant is

Bottle Gourd Giant (Lagenaria siceraria) is an annual vegetable of the Gourd family (Cucurbitaceae). Calabash / Bottle Gourd is an open-pollinated gourd variety that is widely used for making birdhouses and more.

The base of these gourds is rounded, with a narrow centre and a small bulb at the end of the stem.

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: 88%
• Seeds per packet: 11–16 pcs (2 g)
• Seed origin: China
• Sowing: April and May; seedlings
• Harvest: October
• Position: sunny spot

When to sow Bottle Gourd Giant

Bottle Gourd Giant seeds are sown in April and May. 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 Giant

• 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 Giant be sown?

The recommended sowing months are April and May. Sowing method: seedlings.

How many seeds are in the packet?

The packet contains 11–16 seeds, pack size 2 g.

What is the germination rate of the seeds?

The measured germination rate of this batch is 88%. 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.