Pumpkin Fig-leaf Gourd is a cucumber-like plant with leaves that, as the name suggests, have the shape of fig leaves. The Fig-leaf Gourd originates from Central America and is grown in many tropical countries, including tropical America, Africa, and Southeast Asia (Philippines). The Fig-leaf Gourd is a member of the cucumber family (Cucurbitaceae), just like Javanese cucumber, Wasp pumpkin, Kolokwin, watermelon, sugar melon, honeydew, kiwano, cucumber, gherkin, giant pumpkin, zucchini, pattypan, luffa, sopropo, chayote, and cassabana. Like all these plants, the Fig-leaf Gourd is a climbing (vining) species.
The fruits of the Fig-leaf Gourd are round or oval in shape with a smooth skin. They ripen greenish-white or green with marbled white stripes and spots. The flesh is fibrous and white. It has a watery taste but is very edible. Unripe flesh can be stewed and used in various dishes. Ripe flesh can be made into jam. An alcoholic drink is also made from the ripe flesh. Non hardy perennial.
Indoor sowing: mid April - May
Outdoor sowing: June - July
Germination: 6 - 8 days
Germinationtemp.: 20 - 22 °C
Sowing depth: 1 - 1½ cm
Plant distance: 1½ - 2 meter
Plant position: sunny and sheltered
Harvest period: August - September
Indoor sowing can start from the middle of April in a propagator or in a heated greenhouse. The temperature needs to be at least 20 °C, hotter makes for a better germination. It's important to keep the temperature as even as possible, this provides a better germination. Use separate pots of approx. 8 cm Ø. Put 1 seed sideways per pot approx. 1½ deep and cover it with moist pottingsoil. Keep the soil moist during germination and right after sowing, but not too wet to prevent rotting of the seeds. Let the seedlings adjust to outdoor temperatures, when there's no longer any danger of frosts. Harden them of by putting them outside during the day for 7 - 10 days from the beginning of May. Pumpkins are plants with tendrils and they like to spread out. They need a lot of space, but you can lead the tendrils and vines to the middle of the plant, when there's not much room. This to prevent that the plants overgrow other plants.
You can sow outdoors from June, when the soil is warming up. Sow on a sunny plot with shelter and free draining soil. Sow 3 seeds per hole. Keep the seeds approx. 1½ - 2 meter apart and make sure the plants have approx. 1½ - 2 meter space all around. Thin the seedlings to 1 strongest per hole. Pumpkins need a lot of fertilizer to grow. Use a liquid tomato fertilizer when the fruits start to develop. Use the fertilizer every 14 days. Keep weedfree to ensure a good ventilation. Give the plants enough water on the soil and not on the plants to prevent rotting of the fruits.
The pumpkins are ready to harvest when the stems are beginning to dry out or tear and the skin is hard to the touch. Depending on weather conditions and sunshine this starts in August or September. Harvest your pumpkins before the first frosts and before heavy rain. Cut the stem with a knife to harvest and leave a piece of approx. 5 - 8 cm of stem on the pumpkin. Don't damage the fruits. Keep them in a dry, cool and frosts free room or shed. Don't stack the pumpkins on each other.
