Snake 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 20 feet

Croissance

Rapide

Rusticité

USDA 9 à 12

Floraison

Mid to late summer

Entretien

Provide a sturdy trellis so the heavy fruits can hang straight and develop properly. Keep an eye out for powdery mildew on the leaves if the air is too humid or stagnant. Ensure the soil stays consistently moist but never waterlogged to keep the plant productive.

Arrosage

Keep the soil evenly moist, especially during the peak of summer heat.

Engrais

Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer every two weeks to support rapid vine growth.

Taille

Trim back excessive lateral growth to encourage better airflow and fruit production.

Rempotage

This plant is typically grown as an annual in the ground and does not require repotting.

Sol

Well draining, fertile, loamy soil

pH du sol

6.0 to 7.0

Température

15 à 35°C

Humidité

60 à 90%

Résistance à la sécheresse

Faible

Durée de vie

Annual, typically 1 growing season

Parfum

Fort

Résistance aux chevreuils et lapins

Moyenne

Sécurité

Humains

The plant is generally considered non-toxic, though some individuals may experience mild digestive upset if consuming large quantities of raw material.

Enfants

The long, dangling fruits may be tempting for children to pull, which can damage the vine.

Allergènes de contact

Handling the fuzzy stems and leaves may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Allergènes aéroportés

The pollen can trigger mild reactions in those prone to seasonal allergies.

Comestibilité

Ensure the fruit is harvested while young and tender, as mature fruits become bitter and fibrous.

Comment l'identifier

• Extremely long, slender, snake like fruit
• Deeply lobed, bright green leaves
• Delicate white, fringed, lace like flowers
• Tendrils for climbing support

Hauteur

2 à 5m

Envergure

1 à 3m

Feuilles

green, deciduous

Fleurs

white, 3 à 5cm

Fruits

green, red, Late summer to autumn

Problèmes courants

• Powdery mildew — White fungal growth on leaves often caused by poor air circulation.
• Aphids — Small insects that cluster on new growth and suck plant sap.

La cultiver

Multiplication

seed

Quand planter

Spring

Hivernage

This plant is a tender annual and will die back with the first frost.

En pot

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

Plant near a sturdy support structure to keep the heavy fruits off the ground and prevent rot.

Bonnes associations

• Maïs — The tall stalks provide a natural trellis for the vines to climb.
• Souci — These help deter soil pests that might bother the root system.

Espèces similaires

• Luffa — Shares similar growth habits and requirements as a climbing cucurbit.

Science

Famille

Cucurbitaceae

Genre

Trichosanthes

Ordre

Cucurbitales

Classe

Magnoliopsida

Région d'origine

Tropical Asia and Australia

Préservation

This species is widely cultivated and not currently of conservation concern.

This vine thrives in humid, tropical environments by rapidly climbing over vegetation to reach sunlight.

Intérêt pour la faune

nectar source

Pollinisateurs

papillons de nuit

Utilisations

culinary vegetable, traditional medicine, ornamental vine

Taxonomie vérifiée avec le GBIF.

Ce qu'on demande souvent

How do I know when to harvest?

Harvest when the fruit is still green and firm, usually about 10 to 15 days after flowering.

Can I grow this in a pot?

Yes, provided you use a large container and a sturdy trellis for the vine to climb.

D'où vient le nom

The genus name comes from the Greek words for hair and flower, referring to the fringed petals, while the species name means cucumber-like.

Bon à savoir

• The fruits can grow up to 1 meter in length.
• It is often called the snake gourd due to its long, coiled shape.
• The plant is a member of the Cucurbitaceae family, related to cucumbers and melons.
• In some cultures, the red pulp inside mature fruit is used as a natural dye.