Gourd Seeds - Snake - Hybrid

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Other Common Names: Serpent gourd, chichinda, and padwal.

How to Grow Snake Gourd

For the best germination results, soak your seeds for 24hrs. Allow them to germinate on a moist paper towel in a dark container. For more details, check out the link below. If you live in zones 5 or 6, start the seeds indoors before the last frost and transplant them outdoors, post-frost, after hardening off. If you live in zones 7 or higher, germinate the seeds indoors and then direct sow. Sow seeds in spring/summer after the last frost in a warm, sunny location.

Hill planting: Form soil into a 1-ft. diameter mound 3-4 inches tall. Space the mounds 4-6 feet apart. Plant 2 seeds on each heap. Row planting: See spacing info above. Train the wax gourd to climb a vertical support for better air circulation and ease of harvest. Water deeply but infrequently, avoiding water on the leaves. Fertilize at least once in mid-season. The snake gourd flowers during daylight hours; it may need hand pollination to set fruit. Hand-pollinate the flowers by taking a cotton swab or small paint brush and crossing the pollen between the male and female flowers.

Harvesting Snake Gourd

Harvest young, tender fruit before it matures to retain its tenderness. Make a clean cut at the base of the stem.

Culinary Tips

Chop up this gourd and use it like a wax gourd or summer squash; add it to curries or stews. The shoots, tendrils, and leaves can also be eaten as greens.

Tips From Our Gardeners

"My favorite way to grow gourds like this is on an arched trellis. The long fruits hang down into the archway, making an attractive display. This method also makes harvesting very easy."

- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer

"How To Germinate Hard Gourd Seeds"

Seeds Per Package

• 3 g packet - Approximately 15 Seeds
• 1 oz - Approximately 140 Seeds
• 4 oz - Approximately 560 Seeds
• 1 lb - Approximately 2,240 Seeds
• 5 lb - Approximately 11,200 Seeds