🌱 How to Grow Indian Round Gourd (Tinda) from Seeds

Common Names:

• Hindi: टिंडा

• Tamil: இந்திய ரவுண்ட் கோர்ட் (India Round Gourd)

• Telugu: టిండా కూర

• Malayalam: ടിണ്ടാ കറി

• Kannada: ಟಿಂಡಾ ತರಕಾರಿ

• English: Indian Round Gourd / Apple Gourd / Indian Baby Pumpkin

• Botanical name: Praecitrullus fistulosus

1. Choose the Right Season

• Warm-season vegetable

• Best time to sow: Feb–April (Spring-Summer) and June–July (Monsoon)

• Avoid very cold or frost-prone periods

2. Prepare the Soil

• Soil Type: Loose, fertile, well-drained loamy soil

• pH Level: Slightly acidic to neutral (6.0–7.0)

• Mix compost or well-rotted manure before sowing

• Add neem cake powder to prevent root pests

3. Sow the Seeds

• Depth: Sow 1 inch (2.5 cm) deep

• Spacing:

  • Garden bed: 2–3 feet between plants and rows

  • Container: Use 12–14 inch deep pots with 1–2 seeds per pot

• Water gently after sowing

4. Watering

• Keep soil evenly moist, especially during flowering and fruiting

• Water when topsoil feels dry

• Avoid waterlogging – ensure good drainage

5. Germination

• Seeds sprout in 5–10 days

• Thin to 1–2 healthiest seedlings if sown densely

6. Sunlight & Temperature

• Requires 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Ideal temperature range: 22°C to 32°C

• Provide a trellis or support for climbing vines

7. Fertilization

• Enrich soil every 2–3 weeks with compost or vermicompost

• During flowering, use potassium-rich fertilizer (e.g., banana peel compost)

• Avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen — can reduce fruiting

8. Pest Control

• Common pests: Aphids, fruit flies, leaf borers

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

• Remove yellowing leaves and keep area weed-free

9. Harvesting

• First harvest in 50–60 days

• Harvest when fruits are small, tender, and light green

• Avoid letting fruits over-ripen — they turn hard and tasteless

10. Regrow Tip

• Allow a few fruits to fully mature and dry on the vine

• Scoop out seeds, wash, dry, and store for next season

• Tinda grows well in warm climates and can yield for 2–3 months

🌿 Health Benefits of Tinda (Round Gourd)

• Rich in fiber, low in calories — aids digestion

• Contains vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidants

• Cooling effect on the body — great for summer diets

• Helps in managing acidity and supports liver health