Bottle Gourd.

De un vistazo

Care level

Moderate

Plant type

Annual vine

Light

Full sun

Indoor light

direct

Water

Every 2 to 4 days

Mature size

300 to 600 cm

Growth rate

fast

Hardiness

USDA 9 to 11

Bloom time

Mid to late summer

Cuidados

Provide a sturdy trellis for the vines to climb to keep the heavy fruit off the ground. Watch for powdery mildew on the leaves during humid weather and ensure the soil stays consistently moist. Harvest the gourds once the stem turns brown and the shell feels hard to the touch.

Watering

Keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged.

Feeding

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

Pruning

Trim back excessive side shoots to encourage more fruit production.

Repotting

This is an annual plant and is typically grown directly in the garden soil.

Soil

Rich, well draining, organic soil

Soil pH

6.0 to 7.0

Temperature

15 to 35°C

Humidity

40 to 70%

Drought tolerance

low

Lifespan

Annual, typically 1 season

Deer and rabbits

moderate

Seguridad

People

The mature fruit contains cucurbitacins which are toxic if ingested in quantity.

Pets

This plant is generally considered non toxic to cats and dogs.

Children

The hard, mature shells of the gourds can be a choking hazard if broken into small pieces.

Contact allergens

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

Airborne allergens

The pollen is not typically considered a significant allergen.

Edibility

Young fruits are edible when cooked, but mature gourds are bitter and can cause severe gastrointestinal distress if consumed.

Cómo identificarla

• Large, soft, heart shaped fuzzy leaves
• White, star shaped nocturnal flowers
• Hard, woody, bottle shaped fruit
• Fast growing, climbing tendril vine

Height

2 to 6m

Spread

1 to 2m

Leaves

green, deciduous

Flowers

white, 5 to 10cm

Fruit

green, tan, Autumn

Problemas frecuentes

• Powdery mildew — A white fungal growth appears on leaves during humid weather.
• Squash vine borer — Larvae tunnel into the main stem and cause the plant to wilt suddenly.

Cómo cultivarla

Propagation

seed

When to plant

Spring

Overwintering

This plant is an annual and will die with the first frost.

In containers

It requires a very large container, at least 15 gallons, to support its massive root system.

Planting tall crops nearby provides the necessary vertical space for these vigorous vines.

Buenas compañeras

• Corn — Corn provides a sturdy structure for the vines to climb.
• Nasturtium — These flowers help deter common garden pests.

Mantenla lejos de

• Potatoes — They compete for soil nutrients and space.

Especies parecidas

• Cucurbita pepo — It is a common squash that shares similar growth habits.

Ciencia

Family

Cucurbitaceae

Genus

Lagenaria

Order

Cucurbitales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Tropical regions of Africa and Asia.

Conservation

This plant is widely cultivated and not of conservation concern.

It thrives in warm, sunny environments with high moisture and rich, well-draining soil.

Value to wildlife

nectar source

Pollinators

bees, moths

Uses

culinary, crafts, ornamental

Taxonomía cotejada con GBIF.

Lo que más preguntan

Can I eat the gourds?

Only the very young fruits are edible, similar to summer squash.

How do I dry them?

Leave them in a dry, airy place until they feel light and the seeds rattle inside.

De dónde viene el nombre

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

Bueno saberlo

• It is one of the oldest domesticated plants in the world.
• The fruits can grow into many different shapes depending on how they are trained.
• In some cultures, the dried gourds are used to make musical instruments.