£1.69
Half hardy Annual
Description – Grow your own slippery snake! Unusual pale green narrow gourds that twist and curl, then, once dried, can be painted with your personalised snake pattern.
NOT EDIBLE – Use acrylic paints to create your own designs.
Sowing – Sow March to april. Sow seed 1cm (½in) deep, in pots of moist seed compost. Place in a propagator or warm place, and keep at a constant temperature of between 20-25C (68-77F). After sowing, do not exclude light as this helps germination. Keep the surface of the compost moist but not waterlogged; germination will usually take 7 to 21 days. When at the 2 leaf stage, transplant seedlings on into 13cm (5 inch) pots and grow on in well-lit conditions.
Can also be sown direct outdoors once the soil has warmed.
Growing – Gradually acclimatise young plants to outdoor conditions for 1 to 15 days before planting out after all risk of frost, 6cm (24 inches) apart.
Aftercare – For best results, provide a deep, rich, well-drained soil in full sun. Dry fruits fully in a cool, airy position before painting the skins.
Harvest – September, October