A mixture of small ornamental gourds of various colors and shapes that primarily serve a decorative purpose. Packets are all different but should contain some of the following varieties: Egg, Spoon, Warted, and Dumpling. Egg (oblong, fits in the palm of hand), Spoon (wider, semi-crookneck, can be used to make spoons), Warted (bumpy skin, can be made into a bowl or other small container), and Dumpling (looks like a mini pumpkin) that all have running vines. They can be grown at ground level or climbed on an arbor or pergola. Long shelf life in a cool place.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Seeds

~25

Difficulty       

Easy

Sowing        

Direct, Indoor

Lifecycle      

Annual

Root cellar   

Yes

Sowing season       

Spring, Summer

Growing tips

Conditions of germination:

depth of sowing: 2.5 cm

optimal temperatures of germination: 21 to 32 ºC

time for germination: 7 to 14 days

When to sow:

sow indoors 3 to 4 weeks before the last frost date in your area preferably in peat pots to facilitate transplanting ORdirect seeding when the soil is warm and its temperature is above 16ºC

Sowing technique: in pocket

In the same hole, sow 3 seeds 1 to 2 cm apart; when the seeds have germinated and the seedlings have reached a height of 5 cm, keep only the best plants.

Transplant outdoors (for seedlings started indoors):

after all danger of frost has passed and the soil is warm

Distance in the garden:

between plants: 45 cm for a staked plant, 60-90 cm at ground level

between rows: 120 cm

Height of the plants: 45 cm if grown at ground level

Soil: rich, humid, well-drained, loose

Exposure: full sun

Days to harvest: 100 to 120 days

Specificities:

For direct seeding, seeds can be sown on a mound of soil and compost and run the plants in opposite directions at ground level.

This plant can crawl on the ground or climb on support. However, make sure that the plant is stable and solid, even if it means tying the plant and the squash to the support to avoid any breakage.

The squash is ready when the foliage is faded and the fruits are ripe (the color will be fixed and the bark will be hard and difficult to pierce with a fingernail).

Harvest the squash keeping a 5 cm stem. Dry in the garden for a week if the weather is dry or stores under cover in a cool, dry place.