‘Bird House’ bottle gourd, certified organic seeds

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

Lagenaria siceraria

Product code : GAIAS-0262

Annual vine producing gourds 25 to 30 cm long that become natural birdhouses after several months of drying. Organic heritage variety; matures in about 90 days. 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 standing water, as excess moisture reduces aeration around young roots. Place the seedlings in bright light immediately after sprouting and regularly rotate the containers to promote balanced growth.

‘Bird House’ bottle gourd, certified organic seeds (Lagenaria siceraria) This vigorous annual vine produces bottle-shaped gourds with rounded bases that become durable decorative birdhouses after thorough curing. Fruit generally reaches 10 to 12 inches long. Bird House is an open-pollinated heirloom that attracts pollinators and readily covers a large trellis or fence. The packet contains approximately 20 seeds certified organic by Ecocert Canada. Kew recognizes Lagenaria siceraria as the accepted botanical name in the Cucurbitaceae family. It is ideal for gardeners who enjoy useful harvests and creative seasonal projects outdoors.

Start seed indoors three to four weeks before the last frost. Sow 1/2 inch deep and maintain the medium at 15 to 30°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 48 inches apart and rows approximately 54 inches apart. Install a very sturdy trellis at planting because vines and developing gourds become heavy during the season. Harden seedlings gradually before moving them into their permanent garden position outdoors.

Grow Bird House in full sun and rich loose soil that remains evenly moist while draining well. Maturity occurs around 90 days. Harvest in late summer when the rind is extremely hard and cannot be dented with a fingernail, or when stems and leaves begin to brown. Cut fruit with approximately 2 inches of stem attached. Cure it for several months in a warm, dry, well-ventilated place until it feels lightweight and the seeds rattle, then clean it before creating a birdhouse. Store finished dry gourds away from persistent moisture.

Uses in the garden

Train the vine on a fence, pergola, or very sturdy trellis in full sun. The support keeps the fruit clean and promotes a regular shape. The flowers attract pollinators, and dried gourds can become decorative birdhouses for the garden. 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 leaving standing water, as excess moisture reduces aeration around the young roots. Place seedlings in bright light as soon as they emerge and rotate containers regularly to promote balanced growth. When several seedlings compete for the same space, thin carefully to keep the strongest specimens without disturbing their roots. Before outdoor planting, gradually acclimate young plants to wind, sun, and temperature changes for several days. Maintain the recommended spacing so that air circulates between 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. Bird House is an annual, heirloom, open-pollinated variety. 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-draining substrate, then moisten it before placing the seeds to limit their movement. Keep the seedlings uniformly moist without leaving 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.

02 How to start seedlings?

Sow 1.3 cm deep in pots three to four weeks before the last frost and keep the substrate between 15 and 30 °C, ideally around 23 °C. 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 sowing evenly 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. Keep the growing medium warm, evenly moist, and well-aerated. 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-draining growing medium, then moisten it before sowing the seeds to limit their displacement. Keep the seedlings 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 promote balanced growth. When several seedlings compete for the same space, carefully thin them to keep the most vigorous ones without disturbing their roots.

04 How to organize planting in the garden?

Space plants 90-120 cm apart and rows approximately 135 cm apart. Provide a very sturdy trellis to support the vines and fruits. Read the packet instructions before you begin and keep the label to track the variety throughout the season. Prepare a clean, loose, well-drained substrate, then moisten it before planting the seeds to limit their displacement. Keep the seedbed evenly 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.

05 When should we harvest?

Harvest when the rind is extremely hard or when the stems and leaves turn brown. Leave 5 cm of stem and dry for several months until the seeds rattle. 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 sowing the seeds to limit their movement. Keep the seedlings evenly moist without standing water, as excess moisture reduces aeration around the young roots. Place the seedlings in bright light as soon as they emerge and rotate the containers regularly to promote balanced growth.