Trichosanthes TRICUSPIDATA

Trichosanthes TRICUSPIDATA - Three-Pointed Snake Gourd, Trichosanthes tricuspidata.

Trichosanthes is a genus of annual herbaceous climbing plants in the Gourd family (Cucurbitaceae), numbering 12 species. Southeast Asia and South China are considered its native land. The natural range includes subtropical and tropical forests, as well as forest belts of India, Japan, Africa, and South America, where the crop is widely cultivated as a vegetable.

Members of the genus are considered warmth-loving inhabitants of the tropics and subtropics. An herbaceous vine with a thin stem grows up to 3-4 m (9.8-13.1 ft) in length. The 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, open one by one, while female flowers are solitary, reaching a diameter of 3-5 cm (1.2-2.0 in). The flowers give off 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 plants produce original, narrow cylindrical fruits 4-10 cm (1.6-3.9 in) in diameter and up to 120 cm (47 in) long, often curving. As they ripen, their coloration changes from dark green to striped orange-red.

Three-pointed snake gourd is a bright green annual herbaceous vine reaching 10 m (33 ft) in length. The fruits look very attractive and occur in a variety of shapes. They can be elongated, snake-like, and smooth or wrinkled in texture. The fruit color varies from dark green to a muted red hue. The flowers open only in the evening and wither by morning.

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

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

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In the warm climate of temperate zones, 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, indoors, or on a glazed balcony. The vegetative period prior to fruiting is 80-90 days.

This exotic vine requires a well-sunlit location. Optimal air temperature is considered to be 25-30 °C (77-86 °F), with a humidity level of 80%. The plant tolerates temperature drops below 15 °C (59 °F) very poorly, slowing down or entirely stopping its growth.

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

The crop grows successfully in loose, well-drained soil with low acidity. There is no need to perform repotting. Members of the family need regular fertilizing. They can be fed with specialized formulas for vines and superphosphate.