Lagenaria siceraria - seeds

The African Bottle Gourd is a non-edible variety that produces large, pale green, flattened round fruits. By cutting the upper part, they can be transformed into a variety of kitchen utensils, bowls, salad bowls, painted, engraved or varnished musical instruments. The African Bottle Gourd is sown from March to June and harvested from August to October.

The Bottle Gourd is a herbaceous plant belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family. It is a distant cousin of the squashes, pumpkins, and gourds that we are familiar with. It is cultivated as a vegetable plant and also once dried, its fruit becomes a tool that has many uses. Bottle Gourds can be found in Asia, Africa, and the Americas. It is an annual creeping or climbing plant thanks to its tendrils. Its leaves are widely hairy and produce a quite characteristic odour. In spring, after the large white flowers, it produces round fruits, or with a neck resembling a bottle. Some varieties can be consumed when very young, like courgettes. However, some are toxic and therefore not edible. When harvested much later, all can become kitchen utensils, musical instruments like the Kora - African harp - or the Berimbao, which accompanies Capoeira fighters in Brazil, candle holders, containers etc. This is only possible when the fruit has completely dried and the flesh has disappeared. This plant, first mentioned by Pliny the Elder as a container for liquids, was also recommended in the Capitulare de Villis as a plant to cultivate for the same reasons. This Cucurbitaceae is also used to tastefully dress trellises and pergolas.

Harvest: Bottle gourds are fruits that need a lot of sun to give their best, like any plant native to tropical regions. For consumption as a courgette, the fruit must be harvested immature with a slightly tender skin. The taste of bottle gourds is not very pronounced, but it is an experience to try if they are edible. To make utensils, you will have to wait until the stem has completely dried. Harvest as late as possible.

Storage: If they are harvested for consumption, the skin should still be tender, and the fruits will only keep for a few days in the vegetable drawer of the refrigerator. Once completely dry, bottle gourds can be stored indefinitely. They can be engraved, painted, pierced, etc. It's up to you to use your imagination to make them into an object that suits you. When dry, they become very fragile. It is important to handle them with care.

Gardener's tip: Bottle gourds should stay on the plant for as long as possible, but bad weather can also cause them to rot. In this case, you can hang them indoors to dry. They are generally vigorous plants with very decorative fruits and flowers. Give them a trellis so they can climb, sprawl, and let their fruits hang like lanterns. Bottle gourds do not like humidity. Make sure to only give them the bare minimum in the summer.