Botanical Interests Speckled Swan Hard-Shelled Gourd Seeds

A vibrant, emerald green dotted with light green speckles, 'Speckled Swan' makes a naturally beautiful addition to an autumnal display. Hard-shelled gourds, like 'Speckled Swan', can also be cured and last indefinitely-perfect for craft projects to let your imagination run wild! Carve, cut, drill or paint them like you would do with wood for a variety of creative endeavors. See inside of packet for curing instructions. 'Speckled Swan' will usually have a curved neck, but a few may be straight.

Speckled Swan' is a hard-shelled gourd. Mature gourds are bright green with light green speckles and are 14"-18" long with a 6" base. The round base tapers to a narrow, swan-like neck.

• Days to Maturity: 100 Days
• Family: Cucurbitaceae
• Native: Africa, Probably Zimbabwe
• Hardiness: Frost-sensitive Annual
• Exposure: Full Sun
• Plant Dimensions: 8'-12' Vines
• Attributes: Frost Sensitive

Recommended 1 to 2 weeks after your average last frost date and when soil temperature is 70°-85° F.

Not recommended except in very short growing seasons, 2 to 4 weeks before transplanting. Roots are sensitive to disturbance; sow in biodegradable pots that can be planted directly into the ground. Add if it fits: Transplant when soil temperature is at least 60° F.

• Days to Emerge: 6-10 Days
• Seed Depth: 1/2"-1"
• Seed Spacing: 2-3 Seeds Per Mound
• Thinning: When 3" Tall, Thin to 1 Per Mound

Hard-shelled gourds should remain in the garden as long as there is any life left in the vines. (Some hard-shell gourd growers leave gourds in the garden during the winter, which adds some color variation and character for craft projects, but results can be variable.) As soon as the vines are dead and the gourds' skin has begun to turn an ivory color, cut them from the vine with a sharp knife or pruners, leaving 1"-3" of stem attached to the fruit for a handle. Choose only those that do not have cracked or broken skin.

Grow gourds near a fence or a trellis; keeping the gourds off the ground will result in more consistent color and more well-shaped gourds. Alternatively, set gourds on a board, a stone or some straw to keep them off the ground. Prune vines when they reach 8' to encourage branching and more gourd production. Remove any poorly shaped or rotting fruits to encourage more fruit production.

• Type: Conventional