Gourd Seeds -Giant Bottle, Ornamental

For decorative purposes only, the Giant Bottle Gourd - also known as the Bottle Gourd - is an excellent choice to add visual interest to your garden.
Lagenaria leucantha var gourda

A well-known staple in South Africa, Lagenaria leucantha var gourda is one of the oldest cultivated plants with diverse uses, including ornamental and functional purposes. Its ripe gourds can function as utensils, containers, or even musical instruments. The best time to harvest is when the fruit's stem and tendrils have fully turned brown.

After the mature fruit has dried and the seeds are removed, this bottle gourd can be used as a container or for decorative purposes. It grows to about 2 ft in length. The plant requires a long, warm growing season. For ornamental use only.

Cultivation: Prepare fertile, well-drained soil. Sow seeds in late spring/early summer after last frost in a warm, sunny location.

 The seed coat is hard and should be soaked in warm water for 24 hours or lightly scarified before sowing. Hill planting: Form soil into a 1' diameter mound 3-4' tall. Space mounds 4-6' apart. On each mound plant 1-2 seeds. Row planting: See spacing info in chart. Keep soil moist. Fertilize as needed. Hand pollination may be necessary.

 Train to climb a vertical support for better air circulation and ease of harvest. Allow gourds to hang on the vine until they are fully mature and the skin dries and hardens.