Lagenaria

This Gourd, as all other Gourds, belong to the Cucumber family, Cucurbitaceae. Unlike their edible relatives such as Melons, Squashes, Cucumbers and Pumpkins, Gourds are mainly grown for ornament. All are tendril-bearing vines that will sprawl if not supported. L. siceraria is commonly known as the Bottle Gourd. Other popular names include Calabash and White-flowered Gourd. This musky-scented, tender perennial is a native of South America and can reach a height of 30 feet. The sticky, hairy vine has branched tendrils and is covered with green, wide, oval or kidney-shaped leaves. The attractive flowers are white. The fruit varies in length from 3 to 36 inches and they may be flattish or round, crooknecked and shaped like a bottle, club, dipper or dumbbell. Bottle gourds are mainly grown for decoration, although the young, small fruits are edible. L. longissima, the Hercules' War Club Gourd, is probably a form of the Bottle Gourd. It is a very popular vegetable in the Orient, especially China, where it is called "upo". This vigorous growing vine produces light green fruits that are long and slender and taper toward the stem. They can grow up to 3 feet long, but should be eaten when they are only 6 inches long. These Gourds taste like tender, creamy summer squash.

Pot Cultivation

Fertilize these plants once or twice during the growing season and water during dry periods. The Bottle Gourd's fruits should be picked when they are less than a week old if you wish to eat them. Their skins are tender at this time and it is scraped off with a paring knife; cut off a �-inch from both ends and cook like Summer Squash. If you want to dry them, pick them just before frost. Leave 2 to 3 inches of stem on the fruit and handle carefully to avoid bruising. Dry them in a warm, well-ventilated room. The Hercules' War Club Gourd is harvested when they are half-grown and no more than 6 inches long.

Propagation

After danger from frost has passed, sow Bottle Gourd seeds in groups of 3 at the base of a tall trellis or some other support. Gourd seeds are large and will readily germinate. Seeds of Hercules' War Club Gourd should be sown 6 to 8 weeks before safe weather, except in the South or warm West, where they can be sown directly outdoors. They should also be provided with support.