Snake Gourd

Snake gourd thrives in tropical, warm, humid climate.

When to plant / sow seeds (ideal season):
Jun – Jul; Dec – Jan;

How to plant:
Direct sowing: First prepare the soil so that it is rich with nutrients using manure and compost. Then dig pits and sow 3-4 seeds in each pit and cover with loose soil. Trellis is required for support since this is a creeper.

Pits are dug at a spacing of 2 m x 1.5 m.

NOTE: Please go through the Guides in the Knowledge Base for more details on topics ranging from Spacing & Lighting to Soil and Nutrients.

In general, irrigate once a week during summer and only when needed during rainy season.

NOTE: Irrigation should depend on how moist / wet the soil is. Check your plants everyday to see if they require irrigation or not. Check the Watering & Irrigation guide for more info.

Allow the plant to grow without any laterals and tendrils about 12 nodes above the top of the trellis, and prune the main stem. Lightly tie the stem with the trellis wire using a string. Count each lateral to 12 nodes and prune the rest.

NOTE: See the Pruning guide for general info.

When to harvest 
Snake gourds are ready for harvest generally after 70-80 days after sowing. Fully developed, tender fruits are harvested once in 5-7 days. Do not allow fruit to mature on the vine as they turn colour and become too bitter to be palatable.

How to harvest
Harvest when the fruit is a foot and a half with a sharp knife.

NOTE: Harvest periods can vary depending on the environmental, climatic, soil conditions.

NOTE: Read Pest & Disease Control for more information.