New Guinea Bean 'Kobu'
New Guinea Bean 'Kobu' is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
This is a round version of the more common New Guinea Bean with a similar range of uses. It has a mild taste and is mainly used as an ingredient in spicy dishes to soak up the flavour. 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. The vines are vigorous and quickly cover a large trellis. It is useful in the subtropics and tropics as an alternative to zucchini, which is very prone to powdery mildew in humid areas. 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, prepare it in a similar way to squash.
Product: New Guinea Bean 'Kobu'
Product type: SEED ()
Botanical name: Lagenaria siceraria
Syn.: Syn. lauki, Indian squash, bottle gourd, calabash gourd, doodhi, lowki
Syn. Lauki, Indian squash, Calabash gourd, doodhi. This is a round version of the common New Guinea Bean with a similar range of uses. It has a mild taste and is mainly used as an ingredient in spicy dishes to soak up the flavour. 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. The vines are vigorous and quickly cover a large trellis. It is useful in the subtropics and tropics as an alternative to zucchini, which is prone to powdery mildew in humid areas.
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. lauki, Indian squash, bottle gourd, calabash gourd, doodhi, lowki