Bottle Gourd Round, also known as Calabash Gourd, is a tender annual vegetable that is widely grown for its long, cylindrical fruits that are used in cooking. This variety of Bottle Gourd has a round shape, and its fruit can grow up to 10-12 inches in length and 8-10 inches in diameter.
Botanical name: Lagenaria siceraria
Family: Cucurbitaceae
Plant morphology: Bottle Gourd Round is a climbing vine with large heart-shaped leaves and yellow flowers. The fruit of this plant is light green, smooth, and cylindrical in shape, with a white, spongy flesh inside. The plant can grow up to 6-8 feet long.
Soil and Climatic requirement: Soil: Bottle Gourd Round grows well in well-drained loamy soil with good organic matter content. Climate: This plant thrives in warm weather and requires a long growing season with plenty of sunshine. It can be grown in both tropical and subtropical regions.
Crop duration: 90-110 days
Cropping season: Bottle Gourd Round can be grown throughout the year in tropical regions, while in subtropical regions, it is best to sow the seeds from April to June or from September to November.
Planting type: Transplant or Direct sowing
Spacing: The recommended spacing for Bottle Gourd Round is 20-22" between rows and 20-22" between plants.
Depth of sowing: The seeds should be sown 1-2 cm deep in the soil.
Germination period: The seeds take 6-8 days to germinate.
Hours of sunlight required: Bottle Gourd Round requires full sunlight for optimum growth and yield.
Watering: This plant requires regular watering, especially during the fruiting stage. Watering should be done at least once a week, but it should not be excessive as it can lead to rotting of the roots.
Companion crops: Bottle Gourd Round can be grown along with other vine plants like cucumber, pumpkin, and bitter gourd.
Harvesting: The fruit of Bottle Gourd Round is ready for harvest when it reaches a length of 10-12 inches and a diameter of 8-10 inches. The fruit should be cut off the vine using a sharp knife or pruning shears. It is important to harvest the fruit at the right time to prevent it from becoming too hard and inedible.
Problems of Bottle Gourd Round cultivation:
Pests: Fruit flies, whiteflies, aphids, spider mites, and leafhoppers.
Diseases: Powdery mildew, downy mildew, leaf spot, and damping-off.
