Yakteen Gourd
Lagenaria siceraria
Ocean of green vines, broad velvet leaves, and bottle-shaped fruits.
Velvet leaves, lacy white flowers, and bottle-shaped fruits distinguish this beloved Palestinian gourd that can be picked young for a delicious meal or left to dry for use as a bowl or vessel. This variety was introduced to us by Vivien Sansour, founder of the Palestine Heirloom Seed Library. Vivien describes Yakteen, which means simply "gourd" in Arabic, as "a magical being, a beloved Palestinian food." Much like other bottle type gourd varieties, Yakteen grows tall with a vining habit which, if trellised, will provide a glowing green canopy dangling with smooth-skinned fruits.
$3.95
| Unit | Price | Quantity | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Art Pack (10 seeds) | $3.95 | In Stock |
Start indoors 2-3 weeks before last frost or sow outdoors after last frost. Give plant plenty of room to sprawl or climb up. They pump out loads of fruit that should be harvested at around 8" in length.
| Days to Germination | 7-12 days |
|---|---|
| Days to Maturity | 60 days |
| Planting Depth | ¾' |
| Spacing in Row | 24" |
| Spacing Between Rows | 36-48" |
| Height at Maturity | 18-24" |
| Sun Preference | Full Sun |
Haya Kaabneh's paintings focus on portraits of Palestinian and Arab women and the issues they face in the Middle East. For this painting, she wanted to evoke feelings of community and cooperation inherent in the Yakteen harvest.