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Zoltán Stekkelpak

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Growing Info

Scarification: Nick or file through seed coat. Soak in water 24 hours or until seed has expanded considerably.

Stratification: none required

Germination: sow seed 3/8" deep, tamp the soil, mulch the seed bed

Lagenaria sicerariaLagenaria siceraria

Bottle Gourd, Calabash, Ipu

In Stock: 0.426 lb (Total:0.493lb)

Lagenaria siceraria

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0.07 lb HI

0.43 lb HI

Details

Germination:

50%

Germination test:

estimate

Purity:

99%

Seeds per lb:

2,386

Quantity:

0.43 lb

Collected in:

Hawaii

Crop year:

2018

Min. hardiness zone:

Item ID:

1825980

Native to: Cameroon, Central African Repu, Chad, Congo, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Gulf of Guinea Is., Ivory Coast, Kenya, Liberia, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zaïre

Introduced to: Alabama, Albania, Andaman Is., Angola, Argentina Northeast, Argentina Northwest, Arkansas, Assam, Azores, Bangladesh, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil South, Burkina, Cambodia, Canary Is., Caroline Is., China South-Central, China Southeast, Christmas I., Comoros, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, East European Russia, East Himalaya, Easter Is., Ecuador, El Salvador, Fiji, Florida, Gabon, Georgia, Great Britain, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Honduras, Illinois, India, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Kentucky, Korea, Laos, Leeward Is., Louisiana, Malawi, Mali, Maluku, Marianas, Marquesas, Marshall Is., Massachusetts, Mauritius, Mexican Pacific Is., Mexico Southwest, Mississippi, Missouri, Mozambique, Namibia, New Caledonia, New York, Nicobar Is., North Carolina, Northern Provinces, Oklahoma, Pakistan, Paraguay, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Queensland, Réunion, Rodrigues, Romania, Rwanda, Society Is., South Carolina, Swaziland, Tadzhikistan, Texas, Thailand, Transcaucasus, Trinidad-Tobago, Turkmenistan, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Virginia, West Himalaya, Windward Is., Zambia, Zimbabwe

Native

Introduced

Characteristics

Growing Info

Scarification: Nick or file through seed coat. Soak in water 24 hours or until seed has expanded considerably.

Stratification: none required

Germination: sow seed 3/8" deep, tamp the soil, mulch the seed bed

Lagenaria siceraria (Bottle Gourd, Calabash, Ipu) is a versatile vine grown for its fruit. When harvested young, the fruit can be used as a vegetable, while mature fruit can be dried and used as a utensil, bottle, or pipe. With a light green smooth skin and white flesh, the bottle gourd is not only a functional plant but also a beautiful addition to your garden.
In addition to its culinary uses, this gourd has cultural significance. The dried fruit is used as a percussion instrument in hula dancing, known as the ipu heke. The shoots, tendrils, and leaves of the plant are also edible and can be enjoyed as greens.
To maximize fruit production, some farmers prune the vine when it reaches a certain length. This encourages the plant to produce more side branches and, in turn, more flowers and fruits.
The bottle gourd has a rich history and has been cultivated for thousands of years. It is believed to have originated in Africa but has spread to Asia, Europe, and the Americas through human migration or seeds floating across oceans. Its use as a container for water, food, and even musical instruments has made it an essential part of many cultures.
Whether you're a gardener looking for a unique addition to your garden or a botany enthusiast interested in the cultural significance of this plant, Lagenaria Siceraria is sure to captivate you. Its versatility, history, and potential for growth make it a fascinating and valuable plant to explore.