Gourd - Giant Bottle

OH One of the oldest cultivated plants, domesticated bottle gourds originated in Southern Africa c. 12 000 yr ago, from here they spread to other parts of the globe. Up until recently, it was thought gourds originated in Asia. They can be eaten when young and are prized as an Asian delicacy. Also known as calabash, the bottle gourd is valued for its numerous practical and culturally significant uses in food, medicine, musical instruments, utensils, containers, and decorations, especially before pottery became more prevalent. More recently, gourds have also been used as a rootstock for other cucurbit crops. This variety, as its name suggests, is a large bottle shaped gourd, a bit bigger than our Ruka Gourd for comparison, and a more hourglass shape. Gourds are vining plants from the tropics and need a long growing season to fully mature.

Gourds require a long growing season. Sow seeds indoors in early spring and pick out to 6cm spacing and transplant out at 50cm spacings after danger of frost. For longer necks grow on trellis, for flat bottom vessels provide a flat growing surface in the field. Best curing is on the plant but can be moved from the field once the plant has died back. Air movement is key to proper curing and is best done outdoors on in a vented glasshouse. Do not cut gourds until after the curing process. 

15 seeds.