Bottle gourd 'New guinea bean'

Lagenaria siceraria

How to grow Bottle gourd 'New guinea bean'

Needs a trellis for support and protection from frosts. 1

Keep in mind when planting that New guinea bean is thought of as tender, so remember to wait until your soil is warm and the night time temperature is well above freezing before moving outside.

Growing New guinea bean from seed

Early plants can be sown in seedling pots for later transplanting. 1

Try to aim for a seed spacing of at least 11.7 inches (30.0 cm) and sow at a depth of around 0.98 inches (2.5 cm). Soil temperature should be kept higher than 22°C / 72°F to ensure good germination.

Transplanting New guinea bean

Prepare well-drained soil with compost and well-rotted manure 1

As New guinea bean is tender, ensure temperatures are mild enough to plant out - wait until after your last frost date to be on the safe side.

Harvesting New guinea bean

Bottle gourd New guinea bean Etymology

The creamy white flesh is said to have a flavour and texture similar to green beans, which is probably where it gets its common name. 1

Other Names for Bottle gourd 'New guinea bean'

Italian edible gourd, Cucuzzi gourd, Indian squash

Footnotes