Bottle Gourd.

De un vistazo

Nivel de cuidados

Media

Tipo de planta

Annual vine

Luz

Full sun

Luz en interior

Sol directo

Riego

Cada 2 a 4 días

Tamaño adulto

15 to 30 feet

Ritmo de crecimiento

Rápido

Rusticidad

USDA 9 a 11

Floración

Mid to late summer

Cuidados

Provide a sturdy trellis for the vines to climb to keep the fruit off the ground. Watch for powdery mildew on the leaves if the air circulation is poor. Ensure the soil stays consistently moist but not waterlogged during the peak growing season.

Riego

Keep the soil evenly moist, especially when the plant is actively producing fruit.

Abonado

Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer every two weeks during the active growing season.

Poda

Trim back excessive growth to encourage side branching and better fruit production.

Trasplante

As an annual plant, this is typically grown from seed in the ground or a large container each year.

Suelo

Rich, well draining, loamy soil

pH del suelo

6.0 to 7.5

Temperatura

15 a 35°C

Humedad

40 a 70%

Tolerancia a la sequía

Baja

Longevidad

Annual, grows for one season.

Fragancia

Suave

Resistencia a ciervos y conejos

Moderada

Seguridad

Personas

Mature gourds are not meant for human consumption and may cause gastrointestinal distress.

Niños

The large, heavy fruits can pose a hazard if they fall, and seeds should be kept away from small children.

Alérgenos por contacto

The fuzzy stems and leaves can cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Alérgenos en el aire

Pollen may cause mild reactions in those with severe seasonal allergies.

Comestibilidad

Young fruits are edible when cooked, but mature gourds are strictly for ornamental or functional use and can be bitter or toxic.

Cómo identificarla

• Large, soft, heart shaped leaves
• White, star shaped nocturnal flowers
• Smooth, green, bottle shaped fruits
• Vigorous, climbing, tendril bearing vines

Altura

3 a 9m

Anchura

1,5 a 3m

Hojas

green, deciduous

Flores

white, 5 a 10cm

Frutos

green, tan, Autumn

Problemas frecuentes

• Powdery mildew — A white fungal growth appears on leaves during humid weather.
• Squash vine borer — Larvae tunnel into the stems, causing the plant to wilt suddenly.

Cómo cultivarla

Propagación

seed

Cuándo plantar

Spring

Cuidados en invierno

This plant is an annual and will die with the first frost, so collect seeds for next year.

En maceta

It grows well in large containers of at least 20 liters with a strong support system.

Plant near a strong trellis to keep the heavy fruit off the ground.

Buenas compañeras

• Capuchina Común — They help deter common garden pests.
• Caléndula — These flowers help repel harmful insects.

Mantenla lejos de

• Potato — They compete for soil nutrients and space.

Especies parecidas

• pepino — They share similar growth habits and family traits.

Ciencia

Familia

Cucurbitaceae

Género

Lagenaria

Orden

Cucurbitales

Clase

Magnoliopsida

Distribución natural

Tropical regions of Africa and Asia.

Conservación

Not of conservation concern.

It is a vigorous climber that uses tendrils to scale trees and structures in its native tropical habitat.

Valor para la fauna

nectar source

Polinizadores

abejas, polillas

Usos

ornamental, crafts, culinary

Taxonomía cotejada con GBIF.

Lo que más preguntan

When should I harvest?

Harvest when the stem turns brown and the gourd feels light.

Can I grow it in a pot?

Yes, but it needs a very large container and a sturdy trellis.

De dónde viene el nombre

The genus name Lagenaria comes from the Greek word for flask, referring to the fruit shape.

Bueno saberlo

• It is one of the oldest cultivated plants in the world.
• The fruits can grow into many strange shapes.
• It is often called the bottle gourd.
• The flowers open at night to attract pollinators.