🌱 How to Grow Ash Gourd from Seeds
Also known as:

• Hindi: पेठा / कूष्मांड (Petha / Kushmand)

• Tamil: பூசணிக்காய் (Poosanikai)

• Telugu: బూడిద గుమ్మడి (Boodida Gummadi)

• Malayalam: കുമ്പളം (Kumbalam)

• Kannada: ಬೂದಿ ಕುಂಬಳಕಾಯಿ (Boodi Kumbalakayi)

• English: Ash Gourd / Winter Melon / White Pumpkin

• Botanical Name: Benincasa hispida

1. 🌞 Choose the Right Season

• Best time to sow:

  • North India: Feb–Apr (spring) or Jun–Jul (monsoon)

  • South India: Almost year-round (avoid extreme cold)

• Ideal Temperature: 25°C–35°C

2. 🌱 Prepare the Soil

• Soil Type: Well-drained loamy soil

• pH: Neutral (6.0–7.5)

• Mix in organic compost, cow dung, and neem cake

• Raised beds or mounds improve drainage and root health

3. 🌾 Sow the Seeds

• Depth: 1 inch (2.5 cm) deep

• Spacing:

  • In ground: 3–4 feet between plants, 5–6 feet between rows

  • In large containers (minimum 24-inch wide & deep): sow 2–3 seeds, thin later

• Water after sowing

4. 💧 Watering

• Water regularly during germination and early growth

• Maintain consistent moisture — don’t let soil dry out

• Reduce watering slightly after fruit set to prevent rot

• Avoid wetting the leaves to reduce disease risk

5. 🌿 Germination

• Germinates in 7–10 days

• Ensure full sunlight and warmth for better germination

• Thin seedlings to allow room for vine growth

6. ☀️ Sunlight & Temperature

• Requires 6–8 hours of full sun daily

• Grows best in warm, tropical climates

• Use mulch to retain soil moisture and reduce weeds

7. 🌼 Fertilization

• Add compost or well-rotted manure every 15–20 days

• Once flowering begins, apply potassium-rich fertilizer (like banana peel tea or wood ash)

• Avoid too much nitrogen – it encourages leaf growth over fruit

8. 🛡️ Pest & Disease Care

• Common issues: Aphids, fruit flies, downy mildew

• Prevent & Control:

  • Use neem oil + soap spray every 10–15 days

  • Ensure good air circulation

  • Remove infected leaves immediately

9. 🍈 Harvesting

• Ready in 100–120 days after sowing

• Signs of maturity:

  • Fruit turns pale green/white with waxy coating

  • Dull sound when tapped

  • Stem starts to dry

• Cut with a sharp knife, leaving 2–3 inches of stem

10. 🌱 Regrow Tip

• Save seeds from mature, ripe fruit

• Clean and dry thoroughly before storing

• Store in cool, dry place for up to 1 year

🌟 Health Benefits of Ash Gourd

• High water content – excellent natural coolant

• Rich in vitamin B & C, calcium, and fiber

• Supports digestion and detoxification

• Used in Ayurveda to treat acidity, ulcers, and anxiety

• Helps in weight management – low-calorie, filling food