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GH  |  SKU: GH0596

Serpent Gourd

$3.90

Syn. chichinga, padwal. Serpent Gourd is sometimes confused with Guada Gourd but is a completely different plant. Widely grown as a vegetable in the subtropics of India; it has a growth habit similar to luffa. Lace-like, white flowers are followed by long, narrow, soft-skinned fruit with a greenish-white, streaked skin. Fruit can reach 150cm long and is sometimes weighted with stones to prevent curling. The soft, mucilaginous flesh has a delicate flavour; prepare by peeling the thin skin and removing the seeds. Shoots, tendrils and young leaves are eaten as greens.

Product: Serpent Gourd

Product type: SEED ()

Botanical name: Trichosanthes cucumerina var. anguina

Syn. chichinga, padwal. Serpent Gourd is sometimes confused with Guada Gourd but is a completely different plant. Widely grown as a vegetable in the subtropics of India; it has a growth habit similar to luffa. Lace-like, white flowers are followed by long, narrow, soft-skinned fruit with a greenish-white, streaked skin. Fruit can reach 150cm long and is sometimes weighted with stones to prevent curling. The soft, mucilaginous flesh has a delicate flavour; prepare by peeling the thin skin and removing the seeds. Shoots, tendrils and young leaves are eaten as greens.

Plant type: Frost tender, fast growing, annual vine

Plant height: 2m, a trellis will help obtain straight fruit

Sow when: Germinate best above 25°C soil temp.

Temperate: Unlikely to do well

Subtropical: Spring to early autumn

Tropical: Dry season

Germination: 12 - 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 6.5 - 7.5

Details: Rub with sandpaper, then soak seeds overnight in hot water before sowing to improve germination

Harvest: 78 - 80 days: pick the fruit when young and firm

seeds per packet

Trichosanthes cucumerina var. anguina

Frost tender, fast growing, annual vine

N/A
GH

Serpent Gourd

$3.90

Syn. chichinga, padwal. Serpent Gourd is sometimes confused with Guada Gourd but is a completely different plant. Widely grown as a vegetable in the subtropics of India; it has a growth habit similar to luffa. Lace-like, white flowers are followed by long, narrow, soft-skinned fruit with a greenish-white, streaked skin. Fruit can reach 150cm long and is sometimes weighted with stones to prevent curling. The soft, mucilaginous flesh has a delicate flavour; prepare by peeling the thin skin and removing the seeds. Shoots, tendrils and young leaves are eaten as greens.

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