{"product_id":"indian-ash-gourd-seeds","title":"Indian Ash Gourd Open Pollinated Winter Melon","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIndian Ash Gourd\u003c\/strong\u003e · Open-Pollinated · Non-GMO · Origin: India\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePlant Profile\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBotanical Name: \u003cem\u003eBenincasa hispida\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCommon Name: Ash Gourd\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOther Names: Winter Melon, Wax Gourd, White Pumpkin, Petha\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePollination: Open-Pollinated\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGrowth Habit: Vigorous Vine\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFruit Shape: Round to Oval\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFruit Color: Pale green to whitish at maturity\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSun Requirement: Full Sun\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGrowing Season: Warm Season\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSeed Origin: India\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eInternational \u0026amp; Regional Names\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEnglish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ash Gourd \/ Winter Melon \/ Wax Gourd\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHindi:\u003c\/strong\u003e Petha \/ Safed Petha\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTelugu:\u003c\/strong\u003e Boodida Gummadikaya\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTamil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Poosanikai\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKannada:\u003c\/strong\u003e Boodugumbala \/ Boodu Kumbalakayi\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMalayalam:\u003c\/strong\u003e Kumbalanga\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy Grow Indian Ash Gourd?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOpen-pollinated seeds sourced directly from India\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOne of India’s most versatile and beloved traditional vegetables\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVigorous, productive vining plant with impressive round to oval fruits\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMild-flavored flesh that readily absorbs spices — excellent for savory and sweet preparations\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHeat-loving and well suited for warm-season gardens\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCan be trained on a strong trellis or allowed to spread on the ground\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSave seeds from properly isolated plants for future seasons\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCulinary Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAsh Gourd Curry\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBoodida Gummadikaya Curry\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKootu\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSambar\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMor Kuzhambu\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDal preparations\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSoups and stews\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePetha (traditional Indian sweet)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAsh gourd juice\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMixed vegetable curries\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow to Grow\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIn cooler climates, start seeds indoors 3–4 weeks before last expected frost; transplant after temperatures have warmed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIn warm climates, direct sow outdoors after soil has thoroughly warmed and frost danger has passed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSowing Depth: ~1 inch\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIdeal Germination Temperature: 75–90°F (24–32°C)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTypical Germination: 7–14 days\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKeep growing medium consistently moist but not waterlogged\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePlant in full sun (6–8+ hours of direct sunlight daily)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGrow in fertile, well-draining soil enriched with compost or organic matter\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaintain consistent moisture, especially during flowering and fruit development\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMulch around plants to conserve moisture and reduce weed competition\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProvide a strong trellis, cattle panel, fence, or sturdy support for vertical growing; support heavy fruits as needed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHarvest young fruits for tender culinary use, or allow to fully mature for the characteristic pale, waxy exterior\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCut fruit from vine with clean pruning shears, leaving a short stem attached\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat NOT To Do\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDo not plant outdoors while frost risk remains — ash gourd requires consistent warmth to thrive\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDo not allow soil to dry out completely during flowering and fruit set\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDo not use a weak or flimsy trellis — mature fruits can become very heavy\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDo not pull fruits from the vine — always cut to avoid damaging the plant\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePlants produce separate male and female flowers on the same vine\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBees and other pollinators normally transfer pollen between flowers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHand-pollination is possible if pollinator activity is limited\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGood pollinator activity is important for successful fruit development\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePerfect For\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHome gardeners growing traditional Indian or South Asian vegetables\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCooks who love authentic Indian curries, sweets, and regional dishes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSeed savers preserving open-pollinated varieties\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGardens with trellises, fences, or ample ground space for vigorous vines\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAnyone discovering Indian gourds and melons for the first time\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/inheritedseeds.com\/pages\/download-guide-here\" title=\"Download Our Free Vegetable Growing Guide\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eClick here to download our free vegetable growing guide\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Inherited Seeds","offers":[{"title":"1 Pack (20 Seeds)","offer_id":47237343445165,"sku":"IS1166","price":3.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2 Pack (40 Seeds)","offer_id":47237343477933,"sku":null,"price":7.78,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"3 Pack (60 Seeds)","offer_id":47237343510701,"sku":null,"price":11.07,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0531\/9134\/4301\/files\/Ashgourd1_640x480_3216c372-ae83-405c-8416-07829385eda6.png?v=1787183248","url":"https:\/\/inheritedseeds.com\/products\/indian-ash-gourd-seeds","provider":"Inherited Seeds","version":"1.0","type":"link"}