Bottle Gourd.

En un coup d'œil

Niveau d'entretien

Moyenne

Type de plante

Annual vine

Lumière

Full sun

Lumière en intérieur

Soleil direct

Arrosage

Tous les 2 à 4 jours

Taille adulte

15 to 30 feet

Croissance

Rapide

Rusticité

USDA 9 à 11

Floraison

Mid to late summer

Entretien

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.

Arrosage

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

Engrais

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

Taille

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

Rempotage

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

Sol

Rich, well draining, loamy soil

pH du sol

6.0 to 7.5

Température

15 à 35°C

Humidité

40 à 70%

Résistance à la sécheresse

Faible

Durée de vie

Annual, grows for one season.

Parfum

Léger

Résistance aux chevreuils et lapins

Moyenne

Sécurité

Humains

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

Enfants

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

Allergènes de contact

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

Allergènes aéroportés

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

Comestibilité

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

Comment l'identifier

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

Hauteur

3 à 9m

Envergure

1,5 à 3m

Feuilles

green, deciduous

Fleurs

white, 5 à 10cm

Fruits

green, tan, Autumn

Problèmes courants

• 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.

La cultiver

Multiplication

seed

Quand planter

Spring

Hivernage

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

En pot

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.

Bonnes associations

• Capucine — They help deter common garden pests.
• Souci — These flowers help repel harmful insects.

À éloigner de

• Potato — They compete for soil nutrients and space.

Espèces similaires

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

Science

Famille

Cucurbitaceae

Genre

Lagenaria

Ordre

Cucurbitales

Classe

Magnoliopsida

Région d'origine

Tropical regions of Africa and Asia.

Préservation

Not of conservation concern.

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

Intérêt pour la faune

nectar source

Pollinisateurs

abeilles, papillons de nuit

Utilisations

ornamental, crafts, culinary

Taxonomie vérifiée avec le GBIF.

Ce qu'on demande souvent

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.

D'où vient le nom

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

Bon à savoir

• 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.