Bottle Gourd – Raj (round) F1 Seeds For Planting

Raj Round Is A High-Yielding Variety Of Bottle Gourd, Known For Its Round Shape, Green Skin With White Spots, And Excellent Taste. It Produces Uniform Fruits With A Length Of 15-17 Cm And A Weight Of 1.24-1.28 Kg Per Fruit. This Variety Is Suitable For Year-Round Cultivation, With Optimum Sowing Periods In March-May And August-October. With A Harvest Period Of 50-54 Days, It Ensures A Steady And Profitable Yield For Farmers. Seeds Only For Planting. Do Not Take As A Food.

Key Features:

• Variety Name: Raj Round
• Fruit Color: Green with white spots
• Fruit Length: 15-17 cm
• Fruit Weight: 1.24-1.28 kg
• Seed Rate: 7-8 g/dec
• No. of Seeds per Gram: 16
• Sowing Time: Year-round (Optimum: March-May & August-October)
• Harvesting Period: 50-54 days
• Yield: 44-50 tons per acre

This Variety Is Disease-Resistant, Fast-Growing, And Offers Excellent Market Value, Making It An Ideal Choice For Commercial And Home Gardening.

Growth And Cultivation:

• Germination And Planting: Raj Bottle Gourd Seeds Are Sown Directly In The Soil Or Started In Seed Trays. It Is Best To Plant The Seeds In Early Spring Or Early Summer, As Bottle Gourds Require Warm Temperatures To Germinate And Grow Successfully. The Seeds Generally Germinate In 7-10 Days Under Optimal Conditions, With Young Seedlings Ready To Be Transplanted Into The Ground In About 3-4 Weeks.
• Soil And Spacing: Raj Bottle Gourd Thrives In Well-Drained, Fertile Soil With A Slightly Acidic To Neutral pH (6.0–7.0). The Soil Should Be Rich In Organic Matter, Which Can Be Supplemented With Compost Or Well-Rotted Manure Before Planting. Proper Spacing Is Crucial For Healthy Growth, As The Vines Can Spread Quite Widely. Typically, Plants Should Be Spaced About 3-4 Feet Apart In Rows, And Each Row Should Be 6-8 Feet Apart To Give The Vines Ample Room To Spread.
• Temperature And Climate: Bottle Gourd Raj Requires A Warm Climate To Grow, With Temperatures Ranging Between 25°C To 35°C (77°F To 95°F) Being Ideal For Optimal Growth. The Plant Is Highly Sensitive To Frost, And Temperatures Below 10°C (50°F) Can Stunt Growth. Raj Bottle Gourd Grows Best In Areas With Long, Hot Growing Seasons And Plenty Of Sunlight.

Care And Maintenance:

• Watering: Consistent And Regular Watering Is Essential, Particularly During The Growing Phase And Fruit Development. However, It Is Important To Avoid Waterlogging, As Excess Water Can Lead To Root Rot And Other Diseases. Drip Irrigation Is An Effective Method To Provide Moisture Directly To The Root Zone Without Saturating The Plant.
• Fertilization: Raj Bottle Gourd Requires Nutrient-Rich Soil To Grow Successfully. During The Growing Season, It Is Beneficial To Apply Balanced Fertilizers Containing Nitrogen, Phosphorus, And Potassium. Organic Fertilizers Or Compost Are Great Options, As They Promote Healthier Growth And Improve Soil Quality Over Time. Regular Feeding Encourages Better Fruiting And Overall Plant Health.
• Pruning: Pruning Is An Important Practice For Maintaining The Health Of Bottle Gourd Raj Plants. Removing Dead Or Yellowing Leaves And Any Excess Growth Can Help Reduce Disease Incidence And Improve Airflow, Preventing Fungal Infections. Pruning Also Encourages The Plant To Direct Its Energy Into Producing Larger, More Plentiful Fruits.

Pests And Diseases:

Like Other Gourds, Bottle Gourd Raj Is Susceptible To A Variety Of Pests And Diseases, Although It Is Relatively Hardy. Common Pests Include:

• Aphids: These Small Insects Can Damage The Plant By Feeding On Its Sap, Weakening The Vines And Leaves. Organic Insecticidal Soap Or Neem Oil Is Commonly Used To Control Aphids.
• Cucumber Beetles: These Pests Can Damage The Plant By Eating Leaves And Transmitting Bacterial Wilt. Using Floating Row Covers Can Help Prevent Cucumber Beetles From Infecting The Plants.
• Powdery Mildew: This Fungal Disease Affects The Leaves, Turning Them White And Stunting The Plant’s Growth. Ensuring Good Air Circulation And Applying Organic Fungicides Can Help Manage This Issue.

Maintaining Proper Spacing, Crop Rotation, And Early Detection Of Pests Or Diseases Can Help In Managing These Common Problems. It’s Essential To Regularly Inspect Plants For Signs Of Stress Or Infestations And Take Action Immediately To Protect The Harvest.