Gourd Seeds - Nam Tao Ngam - India Type - Hybrid
45-50 Days to maturity. Lagenaria siceraria. India Type Nam Tao Ngam Hybrid Seeds. Annual, Hybrid. India Type Nam Tao Ngam produces vigorously growing vines and 18-20" long bright green gourd fruits. You can expect high yields of bottle gourds from this hybrid. The India Type Nam Tao Ngam goes by many names including long melon, opo squash, and "calabashes", though they should not be confused with the calabash fruits of the tree (Crescentia cujete). This gourd is used as you would a zucchini. Its flesh is tender however, it becomes more bitter with age. About 140 seeds / oz.
Gourd Seeds - Nam Tao Ngam - India Type - Hybrid
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Other Common Names: Calabash gourd, Opo Squash, Dudi, White-flowered gourd, Moo gua, poo gwa, Hyotan
How to Grow India Type Nam Tao Ngam Gourds
Requires a long, warm growing season. Prepare fertile, well-draining soil. Sow seeds in the spring/early summer after the last frost in a warm, sunny location. Hill planting: Form soil into a 1-ft. diameter mound 3-4' tall. Space mounds 4-6' apart. On each mound plant 1-2 seeds. Row planting: See spacing info in the attribute tab.
For the best potential harvest, train your Bottle Gourd vines off the ground by using a trellis system allowing the gourds to hang straight. The best fruit will grow on lateral shoots. Take advantage of this and start training early for upward growth and better gourd production. Because pollination is done by night-flying insects hand pollination is recommended for a better harvest. Pollinate before sunrise or sunset as this is when the flowers are open. To encourage better fruiting cut long shoots that go further than a couple of leaves past the fruit.
Harvesting Gourds
Nam Tao Ngam gourds are edible when picked before the skin hardens. As a long variety, you can harvest this gourd at any length. The younger you harvest the gourd, the more tender it will be. To remove your gourd cut at the base of the stem where it connects to the gourd.
Culinary Tips
Use the India Type Nam Tao Ngam Bottle Gourd in soups, stir-fries, and other traditional dishes that use zucchini or other squashes. When cooked this gourd will keep its firmness. We recommend trying it with shrimp or other meats. Just be sure to remove hard seeds before cooking.
Stories From Our Gardeners
"Use an arched trellis to help support this long vining plant while also training your fruit to grow straight while making it easy to see and harvest your squash/gourds. "
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- Ashleigh Smith, True Leaf Market Managing Editor |
Articles on Gourds
"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
Basic Info
| Latin Name: | Lagenaria siceraria |
| India Type Nam Tao Ngam Color: | Bright Green, White flesh |
| India Type Nam Tao Ngam Flavor: | Slightly sweet, Zucchini-like |
Growing Info
| Days to Maturity: | 45-50 Days |
| Days to Germination: | 5-14 Days |
| Seeding Depth: | 1 inches |
| Row Spacing: | 48-60 inches |
| Plant Height: | 10-15' Long |
| Growth Habit: | Vine |
| Soil Preference: | Fertile, well-draining soil. |
| Temperature Preference: | Warm |
Other
| Pests and Disease: | These gourds are very pest and disease-free as their smell may act as a deterrent to many pests. Resistant to red spider mites. |