In my previous two columns, I explained how apple gourd seeds germinate into robust, sprawling vines, highlighting the various stages of the plant’s life cycle. I also discussed the many health benefits of the vegetable, which is locally and more commonly known as tinda.

The columns discussed, at length, the plant’s requirements, common problems encountered during its growth and their solutions, including relevant aspects for home cultivation.

In this column, I will focus mainly on the flowering, fruiting and harvesting stages, while also discussing the fertilisers needed by the plant at different junctures, and probable pesticides in case of any unwanted critter attack.

Under ideal conditions, the apple gourd plant begins to flower within three to four weeks of seed germination. During this phase, gradually reduce the nitrogen-based fertiliser, which is applied to augment the vine’s foliage, and replace it with potassium-based fertilisers.

The latter would aid the vine during the flowering and fruiting stages. Any of the organic potassium-based fertilisers can be used for this purpose. Locally, dried banana peels have been one of the cheapest and richest sources of potassium, aiding plant growth during these phases.

Mix dried banana peels in water to give an instant potassium boost to your plant

Usually, the organic-based fertiliser is applied after every fifteen days, but depending upon the requirement, the frequency can be increased to once a week. Moreover, dried banana peels can be mixed in water to form a solution, which can be provided to the vine for instant absorption and quick results.

The apple gourd vine has both male and female flowers present on the same plant. The flowers are yellow and have five petals. In metropolises, the apple gourd vine is less likely to produce fruit due to the absence of pollinators, such as bees or insects.

If natural pollinators are absent, the hand-pollination technique can be used. In this, a male flower is plucked and its central part — called the stamen — is rubbed against the corresponding reproductive part of the female flower — called the pistil — while the flower is still on the vine’s stem. This guarantees the complete and direct transfer of pollen.

The other, relatively less lethal way to pollinate the flowers involves not plucking the male flower at all. Instead, gently rub a small brush or cotton swab against the stamen to collect pollen, then brush it on to the stigma, which is the sticky top part of the pistil.

However, before applying hand-pollination, it is critical to be able to identify and distinguish male and female flowers from each other. The distinguishing aspect would be the presence of a very small fruit developing just below the female flower, which is not present in the male flower.

Within two to three weeks, the fruiting phase of the apple gourd vine begins. One can begin to harvest the apple gourds from here on. The harvest, when ready, turns light green in colour. The fruit turns yellowish when overripe.

Three to four apple gourd vines can produce enough produce for the consumption of a family of four to six people.

The entire stem of the apple gourd vine is covered with needle-like hairs. These light-coloured hairs are also present on the fruit. These hairs are soft and not thorny, but they can cause allergies or skin injuries during hand-pollination, pruning or harvesting. If one is not an expert, it is advisable to wear gardening gloves.

Pests such as aphids, mealy bugs and spider mites may attack the apple gourd vine. To protect your vine from such pest attacks, the best solution would be to use any of the organic pesticides.

I prefer spraying organic neem oil on the plant every two weeks. The spray should cover the entire plant.

In case the vine is already under pest attack, a few drops of household detergent should be added to the pesticide mixture and sprayed every alternate day for at least a week to 10 days. If the pests disappear, reduce the pesticide spray to once every fortnight.

Sometimes, due to excessive moisture, fungal infections and moulds may develop on the leaves of the apple gourd vine. They manifest as black spots. In such cases, sulphur-based fungicides are sprayed over the leaves.

Please send your queries and emails to doctree101@hotmail.com. The writer is a physician and a host for the YouTube channel ‘DocTree Gardening’ promoting organic kitchen gardening

Published in Dawn, EOS, July 14th, 2024