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Birdhouse Bottle Gourd

$399

Birdhouse Bottle Gourd is an heirloom variety popular for making houses for martins and other birds. Average 4-6 fruits per plant. Trellis for consistently-sized gourds. Lagenaria siceraria. 125 days to maturity.

Treatment: Untreated

Description

Birdhouse Bottle Gourd is an heirloom, open-pollinated gourd variety that's probably the most popular gourd for making birdhouses and other crafts. These gourds have a rounded bottom with a narrow center and a slight bulb at the stem end. Plants will average 4-6 fruits per plant. This is great variety for growing with children. Birdhouse Bottle Gourd should be harvested when the green rind starts to turn brown. These are great for attracting martins around the garden and homestead. Trellis for consistently sized fruits.

 

Growing Information

Gourds may be direct seeded or transplanted, although we highly recommend direct seeding. To ensure a good stand, we recommend planting seeds every 12" along the intended row. Once plants emerge, thin plants to one every 2 feet. Gourds can be susceptible to plant diseases like downy mildew and powdery mildew if leaves receive excess moisture. As a result, we recommend using drip irrigation on winter squash to reduce plant moisture and feed plants more effectively. During periods of heavy rainfall, using a fungicide like Liquid Copper can help to alleviate disease pressure as well.

Gourds are a crop that will produce a one-time harvest at the end of the growing season. They should be harvested when plants die back and the fruits obtain their full color. Stem hardness is also an indication of fruit maturity. Once stems harden, fruits are ready for harvest using a set of pruning shears. Once gourds are harvested, remove the plants from the garden to prevent any fungal spores from overwintering and becoming a problem in future years. Proper crop rotation is extremely important with all gourd varieties to reduce disease and pest pressure.

Birdhouse Bottle Gourd Planting Information

Planting Method: direct seed

When to Plant: after last frost

Planting Depth: 1/2"

Seed Spacing: 18-24"

Row Spacing: 5-6'

Days to Maturity: 125

Disease Resistance: None