How to grow your very own Snake Gourd
Step 1: Place the tablet of compressed compost into a cup and fill one-third with warm water. When the tablet is fully saturated it will swell up and then it’s ready to crumble up and put into the pot until about half full.
Step 2: Rub the pointed end of the seed on fine grain sand paper to help crack the seed coat and soak it overnight to assist germination. Push the seed on its edge half the depth of the pot and fill the pot with the remaining compost.
Step 3: Position the pot on a saucer and cover with a clear plastic bag and keep in a warm place, out of direct sunlight, in a room that remains between 20-25C. It will start to grow within 5-7 days.
Step 4: Keep the surface of the soil moist, but not too wet or your seed may rot. A spray bottle set to use a fine spray is ideal.
Step 5: Remove the plastic bag from the pot and when two leaves form, plant the seedlings into a 13 cm pot and place it on a sunny windowsill or another spot where they will get direct sunlight. Continue to mist the soil daily allowing the soil to dry between watering sessions.
Step 6: After the frosts have gone, plant your seedling outside in a sunny position 60cm apart in a mixture of topsoil and organic matter.
Make sure you can provide a strong structure for these vines to climb on. Use either a trellis or a bamboo wigwam as the gourds are heavy. Height: 2m
These gourds are not edible, they are for ornamental use only.
Snake Gourd is a Half-hardy Annual and flowers in July, August and September.
Pick the ‘snakes’ from August onwards. Before painting, dry the fruits in a warm, airy position until they become lighter in weight. Use acrylic paints to create your own designs.