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Calabash Gourd Seeds

Lagenaria siceraria

5.00 (2 reviews)
  • HOW TO GROW
  • FAST FACTS
  • REVIEWS

HOW TO GROW

Sowing: In shorter growing seasons, start Calabash gourd seeds indoors in peat pots 3-4 weeks before the last frost. To speed germination, soak the seeds overnight. Plant the seedlings outdoors in rich soil and full sun after the last spring frost. For direct sowing, wait until the soil warms to 70 degrees F, then plant 5 Calabash gourd seeds per hill, 1" deep, with 5' spacing; later, thin to the strongest plant.

Growing: Keep the soil evenly moist. When the vines begin to develop, either provide a trellis or lay down mulch to keep the gourds from contact with the soil; too much soil contact can weaken the shell, distort the shape, and cause rotting.

Harvesting: Late in the summer, the stem and leaves of the gourd will wither and turn brown; cut off the gourd, leaving about 2" of stem. Wash it with a solution of white vinegar and water to deter mold. Place them in a warm, dry location on a screen so that every side of the gourd has good air circulation. If the gourd begins to rot and shrivel up, throw it away; surface mold is normal. Calabash gourd plants may take several months to dry, depending on the size. When completely dry, they will be extremely lightweight and the seeds will rattle inside.

Seed Saving: After the Calabash gourd plants have completely dried so that the seeds inside rattle, remove the seed by cutting open the gourd or drilling a hole in the shell. Spread out the seeds to dry; when a seed will snap in two, it has dried sufficiently. If the seed only bends but will not break, further drying time is needed. Store the dry Calabash gourd seeds in a cool, dry place for up to six years.

FAST FACTS

Latin Name: Lagenaria siceraria

Type: Open Pollinated, Warm Season

USDA Zones: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

Seeds per Ounce: 160

Planting Method: Direct Sow

Sunlight: Full Sun

Height: 12 Inches

Color: Green, Brown

Calabash Gourd Seeds 5.0
Review By Darwin Peebles

Love packaging. High hopes for seeds.

Calabash Gourd Seeds 5.0
Review By paula keener

Proven winners

I also bought and grew these from this company last year. I was surprised and happy will only buy from this company from now on.

Size Price Quantity
XL Mylar Packet (~15 Seeds) $3.75 -+
1 Oz Mylar (~160 Seeds) $14.49 Notify Me
1/4 Lb Mylar (113g) $40.00 Notify Me
1 Lb Mylar (454g) $150.00 Notify Me
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DESCRIPTION

IN-STOCK ORDERS SHIP WITHIN THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY. Also known as a bottle gourd, these fun penguin-shaped gourds can be dried and painted for crafts or hollowed out and used as a drinking gourd. Although they can grow up to 45 pounds, they can also be harvested when small and cooked and eaten like a zucchini. These gourds love heat and take about 120 days to reach full size.
The origin of gourds has been a subject of debate for decades. Archaelogical findings seem to show that Asia first domesticated the gourd for use as a container, though Africa and several island nations such as Polynesia and New Zealand also have an early history of using gourds as fishing floats, bottles, or musical instruments. Recent research shows that North America's gourds are nearly as old as those of Asia, which seems to suggest that early peoples who settled in the New World brought gourds with them. The Calabash gourd in particular has been found on nearly every continent.

HOW TO GROW

Sowing: In shorter growing seasons, start Calabash gourd seeds indoors in peat pots 3-4 weeks before the last frost. To speed germination, soak the seeds overnight. Plant the seedlings outdoors in rich soil and full sun after the last spring frost. For direct sowing, wait until the soil warms to 70 degrees F, then plant 5 Calabash gourd seeds per hill, 1" deep, with 5' spacing; later, thin to the strongest plant.

Growing: Keep the soil evenly moist. When the vines begin to develop, either provide a trellis or lay down mulch to keep the gourds from contact with the soil; too much soil contact can weaken the shell, distort the shape, and cause rotting.

Harvesting: Late in the summer, the stem and leaves of the gourd will wither and turn brown; cut off the gourd, leaving about 2" of stem. Wash it with a solution of white vinegar and water to deter mold. Place them in a warm, dry location on a screen so that every side of the gourd has good air circulation. If the gourd begins to rot and shrivel up, throw it away; surface mold is normal. Calabash gourd plants may take several months to dry, depending on the size. When completely dry, they will be extremely lightweight and the seeds will rattle inside.

Seed Saving: After the Calabash gourd plants have completely dried so that the seeds inside rattle, remove the seed by cutting open the gourd or drilling a hole in the shell. Spread out the seeds to dry; when a seed will snap in two, it has dried sufficiently. If the seed only bends but will not break, further drying time is needed. Store the dry Calabash gourd seeds in a cool, dry place for up to six years.

FAST FACTS

Latin Name: Lagenaria siceraria

Type: Open Pollinated, Warm Season

USDA Zones: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

Seeds per Ounce: 160

Planting Method: Direct Sow

Sunlight: Full Sun

Height: 12 Inches

Color: Green, Brown

Reviews

5.00
Global Rating: 5.00 from 2 reviews
5.0

Review By Darwin Peebles

Love packaging. High hopes for seeds.

5.0

Review By paula keener

Proven winners

I also bought and grew these from this company last year. I was surprised and happy will only buy from this company from now on.