Gourd (1 Packet 15 seeds)
Half-hardy Annual Climber
Flowers: Fruits September/October
Ideal For: Bedding, Border, Dried Flower, Flower Arranging
Germination: Easy
Aftercare: Easy
Description
Grow your own bathroom sponge! It's the fibrous internal structure of the gourd that converts into sponges often 12 in long and 3-4in diameter. They climb or spread like cucumbers and need similar growing treatment. When ripe leave in a dry place. Cut open and extract seed. It will now start to wither and leave only the spongy fibre.
Sowing Instructions
Sow in early spring 6mm (¼in) deep in a good compost. Make sure that the compost is moist but not wet and seal in a polythene bag until after germination which usually takes 10-14 days at 24-27C (75-80F).
Growing Instructions
Transplant when large enough to handle into 7.5cm (3in) pots and grow on in cooler conditions. Pot up finally into 20cm (8in) pots and provide string etc. for them to climb.
Aftercare Instructions
Keep the atmosphere fairly humid. Pollinate the female flowers which have a tiny green 'fruit' behind the flower.