‘Stubby’ bottle gourd, certified organic seeds

Name: ‘Stubby’ bottle gourd, certified organic seeds ( Lagenaria siceraria )
Brand: Gaia
Price: 4.99 CAD
Availability: InStock

Lagenaria siceraria

Product code : GAIAS-0261

Fast-growing annual vine producing short, hard-shelled gourds for crafts and decoration. Organic heirloom variety; matures in 90 to 120 days. Read package directions before starting and keep the label to track the variety throughout the season. Prepare a clean, loose, well-drained substrate, then moisten it before sowing seeds to limit their displacement. Keep the seedlings uniformly moist without standing water, as excess moisture reduces aeration around young roots. Place seedlings in bright light upon emergence and rotate containers regularly to promote balanced growth.

‘Stubby’ bottle gourd, certified organic seeds (Lagenaria siceraria) This fast-growing annual vine produces compact hard-shelled gourds suited to crafts and decoration after curing. Stubby is an open-pollinated heirloom that readily covers a trellis or fence and brings an unusual harvest to the garden. The packet contains approximately 20 seeds certified organic by Ecocert Canada. Kew recognizes Lagenaria siceraria as the accepted botanical name in the Cucurbitaceae family. Gaia also identifies the young leaves and flowers as edible. This variety is ideal for vertical gardens and creative seasonal projects at home.

Start seed indoors three to four weeks before the last frost. Sow 1/2 inch deep and maintain the medium at 20 to 25°C, optimally near 23°C; germination generally takes 10 to 20 days. Transplant only after soil is warm and all frost risk has passed. Space plants 36 to 42 inches apart and rows approximately 48 inches apart. Install a sturdy trellis at planting because vines generally reach 6 to 8 feet and developing fruit becomes heavy. Gradually harden seedlings before moving them to their permanent outdoor position.

Grow Stubby in full sun and rich loose soil that remains evenly moist while draining well. Maturity occurs in 90 to 120 days. Gaia suggests a young harvest at approximately 8 to 10 inches long, before yellowing. For hard-shelled decorative gourds, allow selected fruit to mature on the vine for as long as the frost-free season permits. Cut fruit with a section of stem attached, then cure it for several weeks in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place. Turn gourds periodically and store them only when completely dry, away from moisture.

Uses in the garden

Trellis this vine on a fence, a pergola or a sturdy trellis in full sun. The support keeps the fruit clean and promotes a regular shape. Place it to the north of low-growing crops to limit shade and use dried gourds in decorative projects. Read the instructions on the packet before starting and keep the label to track the variety throughout the season. Prepare a clean, loose, well-drained substrate, then moisten it before placing the seeds to limit their displacement. Keep the seedbed uniformly moist without allowing stagnant water, as excess moisture reduces aeration around young roots. Place the seedlings in bright light as soon as they emerge and regularly rotate the containers to promote balanced growth. When several seedlings compete for the same space, thin carefully to keep the most vigorous subjects without disturbing their roots. Before outdoor planting, gradually acclimate young plants to wind, sun, and temperature fluctuations for several days. Respect the indicated spacing so that air circulates between the plants and each has sufficient light, water, and nutrients. Water at the base when the surface begins to dry, then adjust the frequency according to the weather, drainage, and container volume.

01 How much does the sachet contain?

The packet contains approximately 20 organic seeds certified by Ecocert Canada. Stuby is an annual, heirloom, open-pollinated variety. Read the instructions on the packet before starting and keep the label to track the variety throughout the season. Prepare a clean, loose, well-draining growing medium, then moisten it before placing the seeds to limit their movement. Keep the seedlings uniformly moist without allowing standing water, as excess moisture reduces aeration around young roots. Place seedlings in bright light as soon as they emerge and regularly turn the containers to promote balanced growth. When multiple seedlings compete for the same space, carefully thin them to keep the most vigorous ones without disturbing their roots.

02 How to start the seedling?

Sow 1.3 cm deep in pots three to four weeks before the last frost and maintain the substrate between 20 and 25°C. Read the instructions on the packet before you start and keep the label to track the variety throughout the season. Prepare a clean, loose, well-drained substrate, then moisten it before placing the seeds to limit their displacement. Keep the seedling uniformly moist without allowing standing water, as excess moisture reduces aeration around young roots. Place the seedlings in bright light as soon as they emerge and regularly turn the containers to promote balanced growth.

03 How long does germination take?

Germination usually takes 10 to 20 days at 20-25°C, ideally around 23°C. Read the package instructions before you start and keep the label to track the variety throughout the season. Prepare a clean, loose, well-draining substrate, then moisten it before placing the seeds to limit their movement. Keep the seedbed uniformly moist without stagnant water, as excess moisture reduces aeration around the young roots. Place seedlings in bright light as soon as they emerge and regularly turn the containers to promote balanced growth. When several seedlings compete for the same space, carefully thin them out to keep the most vigorous ones without disturbing their roots.

04 How do I organize planting in the garden?

Space plants 90 to 105 cm apart and rows about 120 cm apart. Install a sturdy trellis 1.8 to 2.4 m tall for the vines. Read the package instructions before starting and keep the label to track the variety throughout the season. Prepare a clean, loose, well-drained growing medium, then moisten it before sowing the seeds to limit their displacement. Keep the seedling mix evenly moist without allowing standing water, as excess moisture reduces aeration around young roots. Place seedlings in bright light as soon as they emerge and regularly rotate containers to encourage balanced growth.

05 When should we harvest?

For crafts, let the fruit ripen and harden, cut it with its stem, then dry it for several weeks in a cool, dry, and ventilated place. Read the instructions on the packet before starting and keep the label to track the variety throughout the season. Prepare a clean, loose, and well-drained substrate, then moisten it before placing the seeds to limit their displacement. Keep the seedlings uniformly moist without allowing water to stagnate, as excess humidity reduces aeration around the young roots. Place the seedlings in bright light as soon as they emerge and regularly turn the containers to promote balanced growth.