Gourd cultivation report

Try growing the oldest cultivated plant and the oldest “container”.

Hello. I am Yue, the gourd fairy. The gourd’s tongue is a “tan” (container). Judging from the name, it is a plant that has been used as a container since ancient times. In the past, there were no plastic bottles, so there was probably nothing more convenient to carry water around than this gourd. In the old days, water bottles were often associated with gourds, as seen in the pictures of hermits hanging around their waists. When it comes to storing small items, gourds are a must. And when it comes to lucky charms, gourds are the best! Wouldn’t it be nice to grow gourds that were essential to people’s lives and think back to the distant past? Now, the variety I tried growing this time was a variety developed by a Japanese seed manufacturer, “Senari Gourd,” which produces many small fruits on a single vine. Not only the fruits but also the leaves are well-covered, so it is a wonderful plant that can be used as a sunshade in summer.

Gourd “almost weekly” cultivation report

4/9start
Planting seeds
Yue
This is what gourd seeds look like. It is a very strong seed and has an amazing ability to germinate even if it is submerged in seawater.
4/16
Not germinated yet
Yue
It’s surprisingly slow and thorough.
4/23
Germination!
Yue
Germination occurs within two weeks of planting. Isn’t it a strong and thick bud?
4/30
Leaves open
Yue
The first leaf is fully opened. Look at this big leaf!
5/7
The next leaf appears
Yue
Introducing wide, fine leaves that look like vegetable leaves.
5/14
Leaves and stems begin to grow
Yue
Gourds grow quickly after they germinate!
5/21
Transplanting – more leaves
Yue
When the seeds have 3 to 4 leaves, transplant them from the germination pod to a slightly larger pot. From now on, it will take root and grow steadily!
5/28
Leaves increase
Yue
As soon as it took root in the soil of the large pot, it started to grow leaves. Oh, and before I knew it, the stems had gotten thicker, and it felt like they were filled with vitality.
6/4
The string begins to stretch
Yue
The gourd has strings coming out. If you put up a support, it will grow upwards, just like a rising dragon.
6/11
Buds begin to form
Yue
Buds appear even 2 months after planting! A gourd that changes its appearance every day. I want to embrace this life force.
6/18
Blooming!
Yue
And, lightning fast, the flowers have already bloomed! For some reason, I feel warm when I see large, white, simple flowers.
6/25
Fruit begins to form
Yue
I thought the flowers were blooming last week, but now they’re starting to produce fruit! Early, early. The little gourd is so cute. I’m tempted to make it into a keychain.
7/2
Fruit grows
Yue
The sight of so many gourds hanging down and growing larger makes me feel happy.
7/9
Leaves start to wither
Yue
When the cicadas begin to sing and are about to make their first appearance, their growth slows to a halt and the final nutrients are injected into the gourd fruit.
7/23
Leaves wither
Yue
The contrast between the withered leaves and the lush, fat gourd fruit is a bit interesting. All you can see there are hanging gourd fruits, a somewhat surreal sight.
8/6
harvest season
Yue
The best time to harvest is when the stems have withered and become thinner, and the gourd fruit is about to touch the ground.
8/13
The fruit dies and the seeds are harvested.
Yue
When the fruit dries, there will be many seeds inside! However, the fruit that has withered to this point is already brittle, so if you want to process and use it as a container, it will be better to use it while it is still a little greener.

Gourd cultivation points

It is said to be the oldest cultivated plant, and its germination rate, rapid growth, and robustness are among the strongest. The leaves also keep pests away. In a little over three months, many humorous-shaped gourds will be hanging in the garden, and they will become a specialty of the garden in early summer.

Cultivation difficulty：★☆☆☆☆