Varietal Characteristics
Prolific fruiting. Gourds are small and light green. Young fruits have a nice sweet taste (after cooking). Shoots and young leaves can also be eaten. Mature (dry) furuits may be harvested for seed and used as an attractive home decoration
Soil and Climate
Prefers sandy loam soil with good drainage, likes full sun. Easy to grow and care for. Best grown in rainy season starting May- June.
Planting Suggestions
Prepare planting holes in advance by mixing one planting trowel of compost or aged manure with the soil per hole. Plant 3-4 seeds in the prepared holes and water to moisten the soil. Once 2 leaves are showing, thin out to leave only the 2 healthiest seedlings in each hole. Once 20-25 days old, prepare a trellis to allow the plants to climb.
Ideal planting distance: 200 cm x 200 cm between plants and rows.
Care
Fertilization: 1st time while preparing the bed before seeding. Then again at 15-20 days and 40-45 days. Use compost or aged manure. (observe the crop to see if enough fertility if not may fertilize again)
Watering: Should water evenly in the right amount, not leaving them dry or over watering (observe the planting soil).
Pests and Diseases
No disease problems found. However some pests eat young leaves from time to time but not enough to cause significant damage. However if pest seem to be a problem may use wood vinegar solution to spray the plants.
Harvesting
Plants start to flower at 55- 60 days and fruit can be harvested for eating from 75- 80 days after seeding.
Seed Saving
After about 200 days, all the fruits on the plant will become brown in color and lighten in weight. Harvest these fruits and get them as dry as possible. May need over 10 days drying. Take these dry fruits and put them into a gunny sack but do not tie the sack closed. The sack can be hung in a high place. (In traditional village cultures, the seeds may be keep below the roof in the kitchen where smoky air will prevent insect infestation) Like this the seeds can be kept for 1 year. For longer keeping, must remove the seeds from the dry fruits. (Shaking the fruits and then make a hole at the end of the gourd.) Shake the seeds out using a stick if needed to help. Clean the seeds fanning away dust and debris. Dry the seeds another 2-3 days in the sun and then let cool in the shade. They may then gradually be packed in paper bags. Bags should be marked with the name of the variety, day, month, and year of harvest. Fold this paper bag and put into a plastic bag. Keep in the refrigerator for better longterm germination and minimal seed respiration. If so stored, can keep for over 2 years.
