Lagenaria siceraria. 120 days. Open-pollinated.
Speckled Swan is an open-pollinated gourd variety that is fun to grow and excellent for use in arts and crafts when dried and hardened.
Productive vines produce fruits that are long and elegant with an oval base bearing a goose neck with a head at the end.
Fruit's can grow to a height of 12 inches with a base up to 8 inches across, and their skin is a deep green with creamy speckles. The shell becomes glossy and hard when dried.
Speckled Swan 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: 120 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 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.