Lagenaria siceraria
Bottle gourd
Common names: Calabash, Bottle calabash
Photo: 撮影者はカールおじさんです。 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
This description was machine-translated.
Description
The bottle gourd (*Lagenaria siceraria*) is a vigorous climbing pumpkin that thrives in warmer climates and grows rapidly in summer. It produces large white flowers that open only at dusk and are pollinated by night-flying insects; during the day the flowers are usually closed. When harvested young, the fruits taste mild like zucchini and can be cooked in many ways. As they mature, the rind hardens and the fruit becomes the classic drinking or decorative calabash. Only young, mildly flavored fruits are edible; bitter fruits contain natural bitter compounds that can cause severe gastrointestinal upset and should not be eaten.
Care instructions
Start the plant indoors around mid‑April (week 16) on a windowsill, then transplant outdoors after the last frost, mid‑May (week 20), when night frosts are unlikely. It needs full sun, wind protection, fertile soil, and regular watering without waterlogging—especially on hot days. Provide a sturdy trellis at planting so the vines grow upward instead of rotting on the ground. Remove diseased or wilted leaves promptly and ensure good air circulation to prevent powdery mildew. Harvest ripe fruits before the first autumn cold in October, as even light frost can damage the plant.
Soil & site
Soil pH
Soil type
well-drained, humus-rich, nutrient-rich, moist
Feeding
Heavy feeder
Notes from real gardens
What other gardeners have written down about this variety — anonymous, voluntary.
No notes shared yet. Will you be the first to write one down?