Trichosanthes KIRILOWII

Trichosanthes KIRILOWII - Kirilow's snake gourd, Japanese snake gourd, Snake gourd, Ki Karasu-Uri.

Trichosanthes is a genus of annual herbaceous climbing plants in the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae), numbering 12 species. Its homeland is considered to be Southeast Asia and Southern China. The native range includes subtropical and tropical forests and forest belts of India, Japan, Africa, and South America, where the crop is widely cultivated as a vegetable.

Representatives of the genus are considered thermophilic inhabitants of the tropics and subtropics. The herbaceous vine with a slender stem grows up to 3-4 m (10-13 ft) in length. Leaves are long, with a smooth surface, attached to shoots by fragile petioles.

Resembling whimsical snowflakes with thread-like tips, trichosanthes flowers are unisexual: male flowers, gathered in a cluster, bloom one by one, while female flowers are solitary, reaching 3-5 cm (1.2-2 in) in diameter. The flowers emit an unforgettably delicate aroma. Flowering occurs in the evening, and by morning the flowers wither and can no longer attract insects, so manual pollination is required to obtain fruits.

Trichosanthes forms distinctive narrow cylindrical, often curving fruits 4-10 cm (1.6-4 in) in diameter and up to 120 cm (47 in) long. As they ripen, their color changes from dark green to orange-red with stripes.

Trichosanthes kirilowii is a perennial herbaceous vine growing up to 6 m (20 ft) in length. Ribbed stems have 2-3 tendrils each. Leaves are alternate, broad, ovate-cordate, up to 14 cm (5.5 in) long, with 3-5 shallow or deep lobes of equal length and width. Male flowers form racemes of 3-8 flowers. Female flowers are solitary, with a peduncle up to 6 cm (2.4 in) long. Fruits are oval or spherical, up to 10 cm (4 in) long, with orange pulp. Seeds are flat-oval, up to 1.5 cm (0.6 in) long and up to 1.2 cm (0.5 in) wide. It blooms from June to September and fruits from September to October.

To speed up the germination process, seeds are pre-soaked in warm water or a weak potassium permanganate solution for 12-24 hours, then sown in warmed loose fertile soil with the addition of sand to a depth of 2-3 cm (0.8-1.2 in), moistened with a spray bottle, covered with film, and germinated in light but not in direct sun at a temperature of 24-28 °C (75-82 °F). Seedlings need ventilation. Overwatering and drying out of the sowings must be avoided.

Germinated seedlings are pricked out after 1 month. It is important to organize regular watering. Seedlings must be kept in a room with a temperature not lower than 25 °C (77 °F).

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In the warm climate of the middle zone, trichosanthes is grown as an annual crop in open ground of gardens and homestead plots. In more northern regions, it can be grown in a greenhouse, container, room, or loggia. The growing season until fruiting begins is 80-90 days.

The exotic vine needs a location well lit by the sun. The optimal air temperature is considered to be 25-30 °C (77-86 °F), and humidity level is 80%. The plant tolerates temperature drops below 15 °C (59 °F) very poorly, slowing or completely stopping its growth.

The tropical plant is very moisture-loving; it requires frequent plentiful waterings, 2-3 times a week. Experienced gardeners recommend using settled water at room temperature. After watering, the plant can be sprayed with a spray bottle.

The crop grows successfully in loose, well-drained soil with a low acidity level. There is no need for repotting. Representatives of the family need regular fertilization. They can be fed with special formulas for vines, or superphosphate.