Ash Gourd Big(OP)

50+ seeds

Ash gourd is a tender vine, which produces large fruit. Famous as a wax gourd, winter melon, white gourd, and Chinese watermelon, the immature ash gourd fruit has thick white flesh and is fuzzy in appearance. The botanical name of the ash gourd is Benicasa Hispida, with its roots in South and Southeast Asia. Ash gourd fruits are round, waxy, greyish, about 8-12 cm in length and 3-5 kg in weight. Low in calorific value, ash gourd prevents converting sugars into fat and is highly useful for diabetic people. Many communities use ash gourd as a home remedy for fever, dysentery, and other illnesses.

Gourds (Cucurbitaceae) are among the oldest cultivated plants. They were the early water bottles of the Egyptians (2200 or 2400 B.C.), and were traditionally used as utensils, storage containers, and dippers by indigenous peoples in North America. Most gourds are native to tropical or warm temperate climates. They require a long growing season to mature and are killed by frost.

Days to Germinate: 

Days to Harvest: 90-100 days

How to Grow: This crop thrives best at temperatures between 25-30 degrees Celsius. It also grows well in humid and high rainfall regions. Well drained sandy loamy soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.5 is ideal for cultivation. Sow Ash Gourd at 2m x 2m x 2m spacing in 30cm x 30cm x 30cm pits. 

Sowing Season: Ash Gourd can be sown from January to March and September to December. 

Germination Rate: 85%

Seed Preservation: You too can be a seedkeeper and help HOOGA in the fight to preserve native seeds. To preserve gourd seeds, one must simply scoop them out of the fruit and later shade dry and store the seeds that come out. You can also make use of wood ash, cow dung or hay to aid in the process. Call us to know more!