Organic Amphore Calabash - Ferme de Sainte Marthe seeds

Lagenaria siceraria 'Amphore' is a non-edible variety intended solely for decorative use. It has a very rounded body measuring 10 to 30cm (4 to 12in) in diameter, topped with a graceful long neck that can reach 50cm (20in) to 1m (3ft). The gourd is dark green with light green mottling. It is a vigorous plant that can reach 10m (33ft) in height and will produce 2 to 5 fruits per plant. Sow your seeds in April or May to harvest from May to July.

The gourd is an herbaceous plant belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family. It is a distant cousin of squashes and pumpkins that we are familiar with. Often called a calabash or bottle gourd, it is cultivated both as a vegetable plant and as a utensil. Once dried, its fruit becomes a tool that can be used for a variety of purposes. Calabashes can be found in Asia, Africa, and the Americas. It is an annual plant that can either creep or climb with its tendrils. Its leaves are widely pubescent and produce a fairly distinctive odour. In spring, it bears large white flowers, which then develop into round fruits, or fruits with a neck resembling a bottle or an amphora. Some varieties can be consumed when very young, similar to courgette. However, some are toxic and therefore not edible. On the other hand, when harvested much later, all of them can become kitchen utensils, musical instruments like the Kora (an African harp) or the Berimbao accompanying Capoeira fighters in Brazil, and lanterns. This is only possible when the fruit has completely dried and the flesh has disappeared. This plant was used by Pliny the Elder as a container for liquids. It is also used to decorate trellises and pergolas.

Harvesting

Gourds are fruits that need a lot of sun to give their best, like any plant native to tropical regions. To make utensils, you will need to wait until the peduncle has completely dried. Harvesting should be done as late as possible.

Storage

Once completely dry, gourds can be stored indefinitely. They can be carved, painted, or perforated, etc. It's up to you to use your imagination to create the object that suits you. When dry, they become very fragile, so handle them with care.

Gardener's tip

Gourd fruits should be left on the plant for as long as possible, but bad weather can cause them to rot. In that case, you can dry them indoors by hanging them up. They are generally vigorous plants with highly decorative fruits and flowers. Provide them with a trellis for them to climb, sprawl, and let their fruits hang like lanterns. Gourds do not like humidity, so only give them the bare minimum in summer.