Bottle Gourd

Bottle gourd is an annual vegetable and climbing vine in the cucumber family. It is widely grown for its interestingly shaped fruit, and its large white flowers open at night. Long green bottle-shaped gourds are described as used for ornamental purposes only.

Sowing. Direct seed outdoors after the danger of frost has passed and the ground reaches 70 °F (21 °C). Another method is to start seed indoors from mid to late April in individual pots, with seeds laid on their side about 1.5 cm (0.6 inch) deep, then harden off before June and transplant outdoors.

Spacing and support. Plant several seeds in mounds 3 feet (91 cm) apart if the vines will climb supports, or 4 to 6 feet (1.2 to 1.8 m) apart if the vines will trail on the ground. Provide a trellis or fence so the fruit does not rest on the ground and go flat on one side.

Site. Grow in rich, well-drained soil in full sun. The plants tolerate hot, humid summers.

Watering. Keep the soil consistently moist.

Pruning. Remove dead or damaged leaves and thin out crowded vines. Pruning the main vine can encourage side growth that produces more fruit.

Pollination. Hand pollination improves fruit set.

Insect pests named for this plant include aphids, cucumber beetles, squash bugs, stink bugs, cutworms, pickleworm and squash vine borers. Disease problems include anthracnose, fusarium wilt, bacterial wilt, downy mildew, powdery mildew and blights. Its profile also notes slugs, snails, aphids, glasshouse whitefly, powdery mildews, downy mildews and cucumber mosaic virus.

Harvest the fruit when the skin has hardened. The plant needs a long, hot summer to mature. The seeds, leaves, flowers and young stems are edible while the fruit is young.

Mature fruit has a hard shell that is waterproof, and it can be dried and used for containers, musical instruments or ornamental decoration. Dried gourds can be made into bird houses by drilling an access hole and a couple of drainage holes.

The plant is listed as toxic to humans and pets if eaten, and the fruit is intended for decoration only. A separate guide is available for pet safety. The seeds, leaves, flowers and young stems are edible while the fruit is young.