Decorative Calabash Speckled Swan truly lives up to its name. Decorative Calabash Speckled Swan has a distinctive and unusual swan shape and its dark green skin is heavily speckled. It is a unique type of decorative calabash. This variety can grow quite large. They have an average weight of between 2 and 4 kilograms, with some specimens weighing up to 10 kilograms. They grow to a length of approximately 40 centimetres, but again, there can be variations. Fortunately, the decorative calabashes stand out among the foliage, making them easy to harvest. Initially, there are white hairs on the skin, but these fall off when the decorative calabash are ripe enough to harvest. The decorative calabash must be thoroughly dried before storage. These decorative calabashes can be grown both indoors and outdoors. Ensure that the flowers can be pollinated, otherwise the plants will not produce any calabashes. The seeds have a hard skin, so it is advisable to soak them in lukewarm water before sowing. This beautiful, attractive and unusual decorative calabash has a stunning dark green skin with beautiful light green spots. The shape of this decorative calabash is strongly reminiscent of a swan. Harvest the calabashes before they are too late to achieve the most beautiful shape and colour. It isn't edible, but it is very decorative. It can be used in autumn arrangements, in autumn baskets, as a decoration at the front door and, of course, on the garden table. It is also fun to grow this decorative calabash with children and to do crafts with them after harvesting. Non hardy annual. Height: 250 - 400 cm.
Indoor sowing: April - May
Outdoor sowing: June - July
Germination: 7 - 14 days
Germination temp.: 20 - 25 °C
Sowing depth: 1 - 1½ cm
Planting distance 100 - 125 cm
Plant position: sunny and sheltered against the wind
Harvesting period: August - October
Sow indoors from mid-April in a propagator or in a heated greenhouse. The temperature should be at least 20 °C, warmer will ensure better germination. It is important that the temperature is as constant as possible, as this ensures good germination. Use separate seed pots that are not too small (approx. 8 cm Ø). Put 1 seed per pot 1½ cm deep laterally in sowing soil and cover. After sowing and during germination, keep the soil well moist, but not too wet to prevent rotting. As soon as there is no more chance of night frost, gradually allow the young seedlings to get used to the outside temperature before putting them in the open ground. Harden them off from early May by putting the young plants outside during the day for 7 - 10 days. Make sure there is no more chance of night frost before putting the plants outside permanently. Calebashes are climbing plants that need a lot of space and also a very sturdy support.
Sow outdoors from June when it gets warmer in the open ground. A sunny place with shelter from the wind and good drainage is necessary. Sow 3 seeds per hole. Keep at least 100 - 125 cm space all around. Thin out the seedlings to 1 strongest per hole. To grow well and produce lots of fruit, calebashes need extra fertiliser. For example liquid tomato fertiliser, give this every other week once the fruits start growing. Careful weed removal is important for air circulation. Water sufficiently on the soil and not on the plants to prevent them from rotting. Be sure to provide a sturdy support. This plant is self-pollinating, but it can sometimes be useful to pollinate the fruits yourself. The plants develop male and female flowers on their own. Female flowers can be recognised by the small mock fruit that sits behind the flower.
These decorative calebashes are not edible. They are used as ornaments and decorations. So wreaths, floral arrangements and still lifes can be made with these beautiful calebashes. Carefully cut the fruits off the plant with a sharp knife. So that you do not damage the plant. Leave a piece of the stem. Let the fruits dry very well in a half-sunny spot with good ventilation. Once the fruits are thoroughly dry, they can be stored for months.
