Birdhouse Gourd is a charming variety of Lagenaria siceraria gourd that is grown for its hard-shelled fruit, growing up to 9 inches in diameter and 11 inches tall. They either
be harvested young to be consumed as a vegetable, or harvested mature
to be dried and used to make utensils, drinking gourds, musical
instruments, ornamental crafts, birdhouses, kitchen tools, lamps,
jewelry, and other useful items. These gourds are considered one
of the earliest domesticated plants, dating back as early as 13,000 BC!
Watch these impressive light-green gourds dangle on sturdy, long
15-30-foot vines with white flowers then leave them to cure. Once cured,
they become hard-shelled and beige, and can be carved, drilled,
pyro-engraved, cut, and painted like a wood canvas. Birdhouse Gourd's large, inviting size and distinctive shape attracts various birds, including
wrens, chickadees, swallows, and bluebirds! Whether you're an avid
crafter or a nature-lover, Birdhouse Gourd offers a unique and rewarding
experience.
Also Known
As: Bird House Gourd, Large Ornamental Gourd, Buddha Squash,
Martinhouse Gourd, Nest Egg Gourd, Canteen Gourd, Decorative Gourd,
Hard-Shelled Gourd, Asian Bottle Gourd, Green Gourd, Swan Gourd,
Lagenaria Gourd, Calabash Gourd, Bottle Gourd, Crafting Gourd,
Ornamental Gourd, Ornamental Pumpkin, White-Flowered Gourd, Long Melon,
Birdhouse Gourd, New Guinea Bean, Tasmania Bean.
We ship in 1 business day. Shipped with USPS First Class Mail.
Plant Name:
|
Bottle Gourd, Birdhouse
|
Latin Name:
|
Lagenaria siceraria
|
Days to Germinate: |
7-14 |
Days to Harvest: |
120
|
Germination Rate: |
90% |
Test Date: |
3/23 |
Growth Habit: |
Vining |
USDA Zones: |
3-12 |
Lifespan: |
Annual |
Brand: |
TomorrowSeeds |
Sunlight: |
Full Sun, Partial Shade |
GMO: |
No |
Pollination:
|
Heirloom, Open-Pollinated
|
Fungicide-Treated Seeds*: |
No |
Seeds Packed For**: |
2024 |
*Fungicide-treated seeds protect the seedlings from diseases until they are up and growing. Do not eat treated seeds.
**Seeds
are freshly packed for the growing season of the year listed. Seeds are
still viable beyond pack date. Store in a cool and dry location such as
the refrigerator or basement to best preserve germination rates.
Planting Instructions:
Soil Preparation:
To prepare soil, remove weeds, large rocks, and litter from the planting
area. Leave small weeds and dead grass, they will enrich the soil when
turned under. Spade the soil 8-12 inches deep and turn each shovel of
soil over completely to cover the plant materials with soil. You may add
fertilizer (see "Fertilizing" below) or 2-3 inches of organic material
such as compost, leaves, or rotted hay over the planting area at this
point. Till to mix this organic material into the top 8-10 inches of
soil. Make rows of soil beds 4-6 inches high and at least 3 feet apart.
This formation of ridges will help with drainage.
Planting:
Plant in the spring after all danger of frost has passed and the soil is
warm. To plant, make 1 inch deep holes spaced 4 feet apart in raised
beds down the rows, then plant 1-2 seeds in each hole. Cover thinly with
soil and water after planting. After the seeds come up and plants are
3-4 inches tall, thin to 3 plants per hill. Gourds will grow on vines
which can then be trained over a trellis or sprawl on the ground.
Planting Depth: |
1 inch |
Within-Row Spacing:
|
4 feet |
Between-Row Spacing:
|
3-8 feet (can trellis or sprawl)
|
Watering:
Water the plants enough to keep them from wilting. If the weather is
really dry, squash plants should be watered at least once a week. Sandy
soils need to be watered more often than heavy clay soils.
Weeding:
Keep plants as weed-free as possible. When plowing or hoeing do not dig
deeper than 1 inch to prevent from cutting the feeder rooters which may
slow the plant's growth.
Fertilizing:
You may optionally add scatter 2-3 pounds of a complete fertilizer for
each 100 square feet of garden area. Work into the soil and leave the
surface smooth. For small gardens, use 2-3 tablespoons of fertilizer for
each hill. Scatter the fertilizer evenly over a 2 foot by 2 foot area.
work it into the top 2-3 inches of soil. When blooms first appear, you
may optionally apply 2 tablespoons of fertilizer around each hill. Do
not let fertilizer touch the plants. Water the plants after fertilizing.
Insecticides:
Insecticides may be used to protect plants. Bt-based insecticides and
sulfur are organic options that can be used for prevention. Sulfur also
has fungicidal properties and helps in controlling many diseases. Larvae
of the Squash vine borer are usually found inside the stem and cannot
be controlled once they are inside the stem. Sevin® and Thiodan® can
control for squash bugs. Pyrethrin and rotenone can control for the
cucumber beetle. Before using a pesticide, read the label and always
follow cautions, warnings and directions.
Diseases:
Check the plants daily and if spots or mold appear, treat the plant
with an approved fungicide. Neem oil, sulfur, and other fungicides may
be used. Please always follow label directions.
Birdhouse Gourd is ready when the rind is tan and completely dried and
hardened. The leaves and stem are withered and faded brown at this stage
and gourds can be left outdoors in the winter. Curing gourds outdoors
may take at least 1 month to dry. The outer skin hardens in 1-2 weeks;
internal drying takes longer and time to dry may vary. Drying gourds
indoors may take at least 4 months to dry; place gourds in a
well-ventilated space so gourds are not touching, turning gourds
occasionally as they dry while checking for soft spots or signs of
damage. Cut gourd from the vine, leaving a 1-3-inch stem. Gourds are
fully dried when they are light in weight and the seeds can be heard
rattling inside when the gourd is shaken. For best preservation, craft
only with fully dried gourds. Take precaution of dust when working with
craft gourds.
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