BOTTLE GOURD - LAGENARIA SICERARIA (10 SEEDS)

Bottle gourds, easy to cultivate once germinated from seed and best grown up trellis or fences to help retain their shape, if left to grow on the ground they may flatten on one side. They make excellent birdhouses, just leave them to dry, drill an access hole for the birds add a drainage hole or two and hang them up. Dried Bottle Gourd can also be decorated for ornaments and musical instruments.

Cultivation:
Since gourds demand a long growing season (100 days plus), they can be started indoors 4 weeks prior to planting outdoors.
Gourd seeds should be planted in individual containers 1/2 in deep, such as peat pots, since the roots will not tolerate disturbance during transplanting.
Seeds should be scarified (make the seed coat more permeable to air and water) by roughening the side of the seeds with an emery board or sandpaper and then soaking in room temperature water for 24 hours prior to seeding into pots or the garden.
Germination must be undertaken above 70F as these seeds will rot in cooler damp conditions. If in doubt place between 2 sheets of wet Kitchen roll and place in a warm, dark location (airing cupboard). Once signs of germination are observed plant immediately.
Select a sunny, well-drained site. Prepare soils thoroughly by adding organic matter, such as compost, composted manure or peat moss.
Transplant established seedlings 2 feet apart in the row.
Gourds are vigorous growers and will readily adapt to a trellis, fence, or arbor for support.
Provide consistent watering especially during hot, dry conditions.
Hand cultivation should be done with care since gourds have shallow roots and injury can result with deep cultivation.