5 pack x 30 Long Bottle Gourd Seeds for planting Calabash Seed Squash Lauki Doodhi Bau Trai Dai
EEDCDZZZ - NEW
Regular price $8.99A Gardener's Journal on Cultivating Long Bottle Gourds
Bottle gourd seeds - Calabash seeds for planting
Long Bottle Gourd, or Lagenaria siceraria, goes by a few names in different cultures: calabash, läki, and doodhi. I decided to grow it as a new plant in my yard. I got completely enamoured with these gourds after learning about their many culinary uses and positive health effects. From the sowing of thirty seeds to the joyful harvest, here is my story.
The Long Bottle Gourd: A Picking Guide
It was the ideal complement to my kitchen garden because of its low salt and fat level, high vitamin C content, and high fiber content, according to the nutritional value.
These gourds were touted as a revitalizing crop because to their high water content (approximately 92 percent).
To Sow the Seeds:
I started by making sure the soil was ideal for growing gourds—well-drained and rich in nutrients.
Sunlight and Spacing: I sowed the seeds in full sun, following the spacing instructions (48 by 18 inches).
Tracking Development:
When the seeds germinated, they began to sprout, symbolizing the start of a long and fruitful process of growth.
When the vines reached a height of one or two feet, I staked them to help them climb.
Overcoming Obstacles:
Water Management: Maintaining an ideal moisture balance was of utmost importance, since an excess or deficit of water might impede plant development.
There was a learning curve involved in making sure the gourds acclimated properly to the local environment.
Healthy Gourds:
The gardener's joy was matched by the gourds' rapid growth as they were seen to enlarge in size over the weeks.
The vines quickly expand, displaying sturdy green foliage and white flowers.
Gathering Happiness:
The first harvest occurred about 48 to 52 days after planting, and I was amazed by the length and smoothness of the mature gourds when I picked them.
Constant Supply: The plants kept on producing gourds for almost 60 days, so there was never a shortage.
Contemplations of the Path:
Learning and Adapting: Growing Long Bottle Gourds required a combination of persistence, close observation, and flexibility.
New Food and Health Findings: The process of trying out different recipes with the gourds was enjoyable and therapeutic on several levels.
Final Thoughts: Long Bottle Gourd cultivation was an adventure filled with both setbacks and successes. It was enlightening to go from seed to harvest, and the veggie was perfect for gardeners looking for something adaptable and healthy. In addition to increasing the variety of plants in my yard, the gourds improved the nutritious content of my meals. The satisfaction and health advantages of cultivating your own food were on full display.
To harvest bottle gourd, follow these guidelines:
Harvest when the gourd turns from vibrant green to mellow yellow or tan.
Aim for a gourd that is young and tender.
The ideal size for harvesting is about 12-18 inches long and 4-6 inches in diameter.
Use a sharp knife or pruning shears to cut the fruit from the vine.
Look for a shriveled and brown stem, which indicates that the gourd is finished growing.
The timing for harvesting bottle gourd depends on the variety you are growing. Generally, bottle gourds are ready to be harvested when they reach maturity. The maturity of the gourd can be determined by its size, color, and texture.
Getting birdhouse gourds to the point of harvest is a journey of providing structured support, adequate water and mulch, managing pests.
Learn how to cultivate hard-shelled gourds, also known as bottle gourds or birdhouse gourds, for ornamental and craft purposes. Find out when to harvest them, how to dry them, and how to use them for decorative birdhouses.
This article answers many of the key questions you may have about growing bottle gourds, such as where to plant them and how to harvest the calabashes.
Learn how to grow bottle gourds, a tropical cucurbit, in the Northeast. Find out when to start seeds, transplant, pollinate, and harvest these versatile gourds for cooking or crafts.
7-10 days
Bottle gourd seeds typically germinate in 7-10 days . The ideal temperature for germination is between 25-30°C (77-86°F). Seeds can be sown directly into the soil, about 1-2 inches deep, and should be kept moist but not waterlogged. Summer and monsoon seasons are the best time for planting.
How to Grow Bottle Gourd from Seeds: Germinate Bottle Gourd
Bottle gourds usually start germinating and forming leaves within 1–2 weeks after planting them. As soon as you see 2 sets of large leaves growing on 2 of the stems, cut back the weaker growths so your plants get enough water and nutrients from the soil.
Germination: The bottle gourd seeds are slow in germination,may take from 7 to 25 days to germinate depending on the soil temperature. You can soak the seeds in water overnight to speed up germination.
Why the bottle gourds prematurely drop after growing of 4-6 inch long and do not grow to full length? A. This happens when the flowers are not being pollinated.
Seed Preparation: Before germination, soak the bottle gourd seeds in water for 24 hours. This softens the seed coat and encourages faster germination. Seed treatment methods like soaking in water overnight or treating with fungicides can help protect the seeds from diseases and pests while promoting better germination.
To grow bottle gourd, follow these steps:
Plant bottle gourd seeds in the spring after the last frost .
Check the last expected frost date in your area1.
Sow your bottle gourd seeds about 1″ deep inside in pots about 4-6 weeks before the average last frost date.
Keep the soil damp (but not wet) and warm.
Choose a cultivar that bears fruits faster
A bottle gourd prefers USDA 10–12 zones and needs these conditions:
plenty of sun
rich soil of any type
warm season without frost
You can grow gourds in cold climates too but you will need plenty of preparation and care. These gourds will also not be as big or as thick-skinned as their cousins grown in warmer areas. A greenhouse is a must if there’s a chance of sudden freezing.
If you give a bottle gourd tree ideal growing conditions, it will spread its vines that can grow as high as you let it. The planting spot should have enough vertical space for the vines but also be manageable.
Without access, you won’t be able to check up on and prune the vines or hand pollinate the flowers. Keeping vine growth under control makes the plant go to the sides, flower more, and yield more fruit.
Start at least four weeks before the date when the last frost was last year. Take a paper towel, moisten and wring it so it’s soaked but not dripping. Fold and place the towel in a clear ziplock bag and put the seeds on top of the towel, giving each seed an inch of space. Lining them in rows gives the plants the most space and helps you avoid their roots tangling.
The next step is giving those seeds enough warmth throughout the day so they germinate. One trick is to place them on top of a monitor or TV set, since they often stay on the whole day. You can expect the seeds to germinate within 1–3 days but it’s normal if it takes up to 10 days; peek into the bag on occasion. Plant the seeds in a container as soon as they germinate or they will tangle up with other plants.
Once the seeds germinate, plant them in the ground with the pointy side up to help the plant break the soil. The bottle gourd seedling will use the pointy side of the seed to emerge faster and take in more sun. You should plant the seeds so they’re covered with soil only a little bit — not too deep and not too shallow.
Start at least four weeks before the date when the last frost was last year. Wait for the soil temperature to be at least 65 °F before planting, which will help them grow faster. Each plant should have at least 10 feet of space from other plants or the dense foliage might make them all sick.
The best strategy for planting a bottle gourd is making a small hill and planting at least 6–7 seeds per hill. When they get established, thin all but the 2–3 healthiest and strongest vines. In this way, you guarantee 2–3 healthy vines and hedge against problems and pests that can stunt growth. Be patient and don’t fiddle with the hill, as it can take anywhere from 5 days to 5 weeks before the seedlings emerge.
Be careful of disturbing the root ball when moving the plant from bag to container or to the ground. Gourd squash plants can’t grow if their root system gets damaged too much. That most often happens if you germinate the seeds for too long and their roots grow to the point of entangling. Trying to pick them apart at that point hurts the bottle squash plants’ chances of growing.
Growth
Gourds need a bit acidic soil that you’ve enriched and drained well. If the soil is warm, it will help the vines spread out quickly and start making gourds. After removing weeds and grasses, enrich the soil with compost and spread a light fabric to keep it warm. You can plant the gourd seeds into holes you cut in the fabric, which helps keep weeds down.
If you want to grow Chinese gourds (Luffa acutangula), give them their own corner of the garden to grow. The Chinese bottle gourd is also known as loofa or luffa. In ideal conditions, the bottle gourd plant you chose will produce flowers within 75 days.
Bottle gourd is an annual plant, which means you will have to go through this same script to grow a new plant each year.
Fertilization
You should test the soil before planting the bottle gourd to see if it has all the needed nutrients. Use balanced fertilizer, such as 10-10-10 at planting and when the vines start running. If you’re growing organic gourds, use composted mulch and animal manure instead. Grass clippings and even fish emulsion sprayed on the gourd plant work as fertilizer.
If the soil lacks phosphorus, the bottle gourd won’t fruit as well as it should. Use rock phosphate or bone meal and add about 1 pound of phosphorus per 1,000 square feet of soil. That comes out to 1–2 tablespoons of either of those two organic fertilizers per hill.
If the soil lacks potassium, the bottle gourd plant won’t make as many gourds as it could have. Aim to add 2 pounds of potassium per 1,000 square feet of soil. You can use potash, potassium nitrate or potassium magnesium sulfate. Lack of nitrogen and magnesium in the soil is most often not a problem; if it is, contact your vendor for help.
How To Grow Indoors
Use deep container with at least a 20-inch diameter to grow a bottle gourd indoors. Place it out of shade and where the plant gets at least 8 hours of sunlight each day. You can put up a trellis for the vine or let it climb to the roof. If grown on a terrace, let the vine wrap around the fence.
How To Protect From Frost
Frost is deadly to gourds but you can keep it at bay using:
straw
grass clippings
buckets
flower pots
sprinklers
blankets
If the frost does hit your gourds when you don’t expect it, pile up straw and grass clippings around them. That will be enough to bury and warm the plant but not crush or weigh it down. You can still expect the frost to claim its toll but most of your gourd plants will survive. If you have no straw or grass clipping, cover the gourds with buckets or flower pots to help them dodge the frost.
Put a sprinkler on a timer when you expect frost and let it spray the vines, leaves, and gourds all night. This will insulate the plant from the frost. Use a double layer of blankets over the gourds when the air temperature is lower than 50 degrees. The air between the blankets will insulate the plant as well as the sprinkler or bucket method.
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