New Guinea Bean
New Guinea Bean is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
Not of course a bean at all, instead this is a type of squash. A traditional Italian vegetable, the light green fruits are cylindrical 60 - 100 cm long and can weigh up to 2.5 kg. The creamy white flesh is said to have a flavour and texture similar to green beans, which is probably where it gets its common name. The white flowers are large and scented. Sow next to a trellis, after all danger of frost has passed, with a minimum soil temperature of 22°C, 2.5 cm deep, 30 cm apart. Early plants can be sown in seedling pots for later transplanting. Prepare well-drained soil with compost and well-rotted manure. Pick the green fruit when young, 15-60 cm long. Prepare it in a similar way to squash.
Product: New Guinea Bean
Product type: SEED ()
Botanical name: Lagenaria siceraria
Syn.: Syn. Italian edible gourd, gourd cucuzzi, Indian squash, bottle gourd, calabash gourd, doodhi, lowki
Syn. Italian Edible Gourd, Gourd Cucuzzi, Doodhi, Indian Squash. This is not, of course, a bean at all, instead this is a type of squash. A traditional Italian vegetable, the light green fruits are cylindrical, 60 -100 cm long and can weigh up to 2.5 kg. It is a hardy, fast growing, vigorous vine for warm areas. The edible, white flowers are large and scented. The creamy white flesh is said to have a flavour and texture similar to green beans. Prepare it in a similar way to squash or eggplant. It is popular in Indian cuisine particularly for curries and raita.
Plant type: Frost tender annual vine
Plant height: 2m, needs a trellis
Sow when: Germinate best at 22 - 25°C soil temp.
Temperate: Early spring, needs a long growing season, start indoors
Subtropical: Spring to early autumn
Tropical: Dry season
Germination: 10 - 15 days; slow and erratic
Depth: 2.5 cm deep
Position: Full sun to partial shade
Sow where: Direct into soil at the base of the trellis
Soil type: Fertile, well drained, pH 6.6 - 7.5
Details: Soak seeds overnight in hot water before sowing
Harvest: 60 - 75 days; pick the green fruit when young, prepare it in a similar way to squash
Suitable for hot and humid: Suitable for hot and humid growing conditions
seeds per packet
Lagenaria siceraria
Syn. Italian edible gourd, gourd cucuzzi, Indian squash, bottle gourd, calabash gourd, doodhi, lowki
Frost tender annual vine
New Guinea Bean
Not of course a bean at all, instead this is a type of squash. A traditional Italian vegetable, the light green fruits are cylindrical 60 - 100 cm long and can weigh up to 2.5 kg. The creamy white flesh is said to have a flavour and texture similar to green beans, which is probably where it gets its common name. The white flowers are large and scented. Sow next to a trellis, after all danger of frost has passed, with a minimum soil temperature of 22°C, 2.5 cm deep, 30 cm apart. Early plants can be sown in seedling pots for later transplanting. Prepare well-drained soil with compost and well-rotted manure. Pick the green fruit when young, 15-60 cm long. Prepare it in a similar way to squash.