Bottle Gourd

लौका (Lauka)

📖 Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl.

Verified Agricultural Data (NARC) Vegetables 📅 Falgun (फागुन) – Ashwin (असोज) 🌡️ 20–32°C ⚗️ pH 6.0–7.0 ⏱️ 60-75 days

Growing Season & Schedule

🌱

Recommended Growing Window: Falgun (फागुन) – Ashwin (असोज)

Bottle gourd takes 60 to 75 days to begin harvest. Best sown from Falgun to Chaitra (spring) or Asar to Shrawan (monsoon). Thrives in well-drained, organically enriched soils.

Description & Overview

Fast-growing climbing vine with high fruit yield, cultivated extensively in home gardens and commercial vegetable corridors. Valued for its mild, cooling flesh, high water content, and dietary fiber.

Details & Agronomic Insights

🌟 Positive Attributes & Health Benefits

Contains 96% water, extremely cooling for digestion, low in calories, and rich in dietary fiber, potassium, and Vitamin C. Aids in weight management and urinary health.

⚠️ Precautions & Adverse Notes

Bitter-tasting bottle gourd juice must NEVER be consumed as it contains toxic cucurbitacins which cause severe stomach toxicity.

🐛 Major Diseases & Pests

Powdery Mildew, Anthracnose, Gummy Stem Blight, and Fruit Fly damage.

💊 Disease & Pest Solutions

Spray wettable sulfur (2 g/L) or Hexaconazole (1 mL/L) for powdery mildew control.
Use fruit fly lure traps and remove infested or punctured fruits promptly.
Support vigorous vines on sturdy bamboo bower (mandap) to keep fruits clean and off wet ground.

🧪 Fertilizer & Nutrition Recommendations

Mix 10-15 kg well-composted manure in each planting pit. NPK at 50:40:40 kg/ha with split nitrogen applications during lateral branching.

Planting & Cultivation Guide

🌱 Planting Method Direct Seeding

📏 Seed Depth 3.0 cm

↔️ Seed Spacing 90.0 cm

📐 Row Spacing 150.0 cm

🪱 Soil Type Deep, fertile sandy loam with plenty of compost and strong bamboo bower scaffolding

💧 Water Requirement Medium to high (500-700 mm, regular watering prevents blossom end rot)

☀️ Sunlight Full Sun (6-8 hours direct)

🧪 NPK Dose 80:60:60 NPK kg/ha

Climate & Altitude Requirements

⛰️ Altitude Range 100–1600 m

🗺️ Suitable Regions Terai, Inner Terai, Mid-Hills

🌡️ Temperature Range 20–32°C

⚗️ Optimal pH 6.0–7.0

Harvest Information & Yield

⏱️ Maturity Days 60-75 days

📦 Expected Yield 25 - 40 t/ha (varieties: Pusa Summer Prolific, Samrat)

🔍 Harvest Indicators:

Fruits are light green, tender, with soft edible seeds when pierced with a fingernail

Crop Photo Gallery

लौका (Lauka) (Primary Photo)

Bottle Gourd — Field View #2

Bottle Gourd — Field View #3

Bottle Gourd — Cultivar View

Seasonal Calendar — रोप्ने पात्रो

Activity / कार्य	Start Month (BS)	End Month (BS)	Region / क्षेत्र	Gregorian Window
🌾 Harvesting	जेठ (Jestha)	असोज (Ashwin)	All Nepal	May - September
🪴 Nursery	माघ (Magh)	माघ (Magh)	Terai (तराई)	January - February
🌱 Sowing	फागुन (Falgun)	बैशाख (Baisakh)	All Nepal	February - April

Quick Reference

Verified

🌱 Method Direct Seeding

📅 Season Falgun (फागुन) – Ashwin (असोज)

⏱️ Matures 60-75 days

💧 Water Medium to high (500-700 mm, regular watering prevents blossom end rot)

☀️ Sunlight Full Sun (6-8 hours direct)

🪱 Soil Deep, fertile sandy loam with plenty of compost and strong bamboo bower scaffolding

🗺️ Regions Terai, Inner Terai, Mid-Hills

🌡️ Temp 20–32°C

⚗️ pH 6.0–7.0

📏 Depth 3.0 cm

📦 Yield 25 - 40 t/ha (varieties: Pusa Summer Prolific, Samrat)

📅 Planting Calendar 🩺 Plant Doctor AI

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