The harvesting season for Benincasa hispida (wax gourd) typically begins in July and ends in October.
wax gourd
Benincasa hispida
The wax gourd (Benincasa hispida) is an amazing multifaceted species of vine-growing squash. Its amazing because of its versatility – it can be eaten as a vegetable and its mature, dried, shell-like rind is used to make containers, various musical instruments, and even to fuel fires. Additionally, its root, stem, leaf and flower are all edible and oftentimes utilized in traditional medicine for treating a variety of ailments. Its sweet flesh can be eaten cooked or raw, plus the gourd also produces a large amount of edible seeds that can be harvested for their high nutrient content. Truly an amazing plant!
Cycle:
Annual
Watering:
Average
Propagation:
Seed Propagation,Cutting,Layering Propagation,Grafting Propagation
Hardiness Zone:
2 - 11
Flowers:
Golden yellow Flowers
Sun:
full sun,part shade
Fruits:
green,white Fruits Ready In Fall
Edible:
Yes
Leaf:
Yes
Leaf Color:
green
Growth Rate:
Low
Maintenance:
Low
Drought Tolerant:
Yes
Salt Tolerant:
Yes
Care Level:
Medium
watering
Wax gourds thrive best when watered deeply but infrequently. Aim to provide the plant with 1-2 inches of water per week, distributing the water evenly around the base of the gourd's plant. Depending on sunny and moist weather, it may be beneficial to water slightly more or less. Wax gourds should also be given plenty of air circulation to help reduce potential moisture issues from overwatering.
sunlight
The wax gourd (Benincasa hispida) needs full sunlight in order to thrive and produce its best results. It should be exposed to direct sunlight for at least 6–8 hours a day. This plant should not be grown in shady or partially shaded conditions. Place your wax gourd plant near a south-facing window or on the patio where it can get direct light for most of the day. Make sure you protect it from strong winds too.
pruning
The wax gourd (Benincasa hispida) can be pruned once a year or as needed. Pruning should generally be done in the early spring before active growth begins. On younger plants, this may be just a slight trimming of the previous season’s growth. For older plants, more drastic pruning can be done to remove dead or unwanted branches or to control the size. It is important to make clean cuts when pruning wax gourd plants to help promote new healthy growth. Remove only a 1/3 to a 1/2 of the total foliage to prevent shock to the plant.
Season
Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Harvest Fruit
Starts Flowering
Wax gourd typically starts flowering in July.
Harvest Fruit
The harvesting season for Benincasa hispida (wax gourd) typically begins in July and ends in October.
