Large Gourds

• About 100-140 seeds/oz.
• Days to maturity are from transplant. Originated in tropical Africa.

Culture: Very long season: hardshell gourds must be started indoors 4 weeks before transplanting after last frost. Use row covers and low tunnels to help maturity and reduce insect damage. To improve germination, sandpaper or clip off the radicle end and soak seed. Do not disturb the roots. Vines will grow slowly for a few weeks after transplanting. Once they take off, these rampant crawlers are noted for their enormous foliage, more velvety in texture than that of other cucurbits, and their large white almost luminous night-blooming flowers. Heavy feeders, they will take up huge amounts of garden space unless trellised.

Gourds come in two major categories (Luffa is a third). The small ones are Cucurbita pepo var. ovifera, known as ornamental gourds for their variety of shapes, colors and surfaces. These vigorous viners will usually mature in our climate if direct-seeded. The larger ones are Lagenaria siceraria or hardshell gourds, named from the Greek lagenos, ‘a flask,’ and sicera, ‘an intoxicating drink.’ Lagenaria lack the color range of their smaller cousins, but fascinate with their magical shapes. Because of their hard shells they are the type most commonly used for crafts, musical instruments and utensils.