When going by the shape of this vegetable, the name is hardly a surprise. This variety of bottle gourd is called the Lattu Ghiya in India and is cultivated differently too. Grown along a trellis that comprises wooden or metal bars as a means of support for the fruit to retain its unique shape. Consisting of all the qualities of bottle gourd, the bulb or pear-shaped variant too, is an excellent source of Vitamin C, B, zinc, potassium, magnesium and many other beneficial and life-sustaining nutrients. Being rich in fibre, its consumption works wonders as a remedy for constipation and flatulence. It also helps in lowering bad cholesterol levels. With a high water content, almost 94%, the vegetable can be consumed without having to worry about burning calories.
GROWING GUIDE FOR BOTTLE GOURD BULB SEEDS
PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS
Sow the bottle gourd seeds in a tray first and then transplant into the garden.
Prepare your gourds for transplanting once the plants have come to no less than 1/2-foot in tallness
Prepare a decent developing medium. A decent, basic alternative is a blend of two sections fertilized soil, one section Coco Peat (CP) and one section Vermi Compost (VC). The dirt and VC furnishes your plant with the supplements it needs, while the CP blend holds the dampness.
Provide satisfactory support.
GROWING REQUIREMENTS
WATERING
Keep the soil constantly moist with regular watering.
PESTS
Some of the the symptoms include how punctures in the early tender fruit tissues. The infestation by pests often reaches cent per cent leading to complete loss of the crop. The maggots feed on the contents of fruits and cause premature dropping of fruits. The types of pests attacking are - Damping off and Nematode Leaf spot Powdery mildew Downey mildew Fruit fly Shoot and fruit borer Spider mites and Aphids Beetles and caterpillars
SOIL
Prefers soil with pH levels of 5.5 - 6.8. Thrives the best in sandy, loamy soil.
SPOT
Ideally, the plant should receive 8 hours of sunlight per day to grow and survive.
TEMPERATURE
This crop requires a moderate warm temperature. Can't withstand frost. Bottle gourd requires a minimum temperature of 18 C (65 F) during early growth, but optimal temperatures are in the range of 24–27 C (75-80 F).
HOW TO HARVEST
Soak the seeds in water overnight to speed up germination.
Raise the seedlings in a 4 inch pot indoors (growing vegetables from seeds) or in a warm place (temperature at least 20°C).
The seeds should be spaced about 24 inches apart so that the plants have room to grow. You can thin out weaker seedlings as the plants grows.
Make sure the bottle gourd plants are stable as the fruit can be heavy on the vines.
