Lagenaria siceraria. 125 days. Open-pollinated.
Martin Birdhouse is an open-pollinated gourd variety that is fun to grow, perfect for use in arts and crafts, and makes an excellent home for birds when dried and hardened. Vigorous hanging vines produce smooth, tan-colored fruits with a fat oval base and tapered top which can grow to an average of 14 to 16 inches tall and 10 to 12 inches wide.
Dries and hollows out well. Holds up extremely well outdoors if properly cured.
Martin Birdhouse Gourd
Growth Chart
Hardiness Zones: 4 to 12 Light Requirement: Full sun Soil Type: Rich, well drained Sow Depth: 1 inch Plant Spacing: 36 to 48 inches Germination Temp: 70ºF or higher Germination Time: 10 to 14 days Maturation: 125 days Growing Tips
Start seeds 3 to 4 weeks before the last spring frost. Soak seeds overnight, then sow in peat pots, 2 to 3 seeds per pot. Use a heat mat to maintain a soil temperature above 70°F and thin to the strongest plants once the seedlings have obtained their first set of true leaves. Transplant outdoors once soil temperatures have warmed to at least 70°F.
If direct sowing, wait until outdoor soil temperatures are 70°F or warmer, then plant seeds 1 inch deep in hills, 5 seeds per hill with 5 feet between hills. Thin to the strongest plants once the seedlings have obtained their first set of true leaves.
For Cucurbita gourds, harvest mature fruits before cold weather sets in.
For Lagenaria gourds, harvest mature fruits in the fall after several freezes.
Dry harvested gourds for 3-6 months in a moisture-free, well ventilated location. Take care not to let the gourds touch one another during drying, and check frequently for rot and mold. Mold can be wiped clean, but any rotted or soft gourds should be discarded. Drying is complete when the gourds feel light and hollow, and when the seeds can be heard rattling inside the gourd when shaken.