How to Germinate Ornamental Gourd Seeds
- 1). Purchase 2-inch peat pots. Peat pots are made from biodegradable materials that will break down and are available at home and garden centers. Use one peat pot for for each ornamental gourd plant desired. Start ornamental gourd seeds indoors four to six weeks before the last frost date in your area.
- 2). Fill each peat pot with seed starting potting mix. Seed starting mixes are sterile soil mediums available at garden stores and nurseries.
- 3). Make a hole 1/2 inch deep in the center of each peat pot using a pencil or your index finger. Drop one seed into each pot and cover it with 1/2 inch of soil.
- 4). Press the soil down gently with your fingertips and smooth it out. Soak each peat pot until the planting medium is damp and water is beginning to seep out the bottom.
- 5). Place the peat pots in an area that gets bright filtered sunlight where the temperature is above 65 F. Water the pots when the top of the soil starts to feel dry when you press your fingers against it. The seeds will germinate in one to six weeks.
- 6). Plant ornamental gourd seedlings outside when the plants are at least 2 inches tall and the soil temperature warms up to 60 or 65 F. Dig holes slightly larger and deeper than the peat pots.
- 7). Place the entire peat pot into the planting hole, making sure the lip of the pot is about 1/4 inch below the soil line. Fill in around the pot, covering the lip of the pot completely. Space ornamental gourds 24 inches apart.
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