Hardly any other annual culture has inspired us as much as the "Zuzuca longa" - our "snake zucchini".
The fruits, which belong to the genus of bottle gourds, can be truly gigantic.
The young fruits in particular are tasty and are reminiscent of a mixture of cucumber and zucchini.
Cut in half, filled and gratinated in the oven, they are a dream.
If you let the biggest fruit hang, you also win the "Who has the biggest zucchini" Competition. Sizes of 1.5 meters in length are not uncommon. The incredulous looks of your neighbors are certain.
As with zucchini, the fruits of the "Zuzuca longa" can become bitter under stress such as cold, extreme heat and lack of water, they are then no longer suitable for consumption!
A trellis is recommended for the sprawling tendrils and heavy fruit. In terms of growth, the snake zucchini behaves like a climbing pumpkin.
“Zuzuca longa” is not hardy. Their tendrils die off in frost.
The germination rate, tested by us, is 80 percent.
Lagenaria siceraria 'Zuzuca longa' (seed)
Sowing is done similar to pumpkin or zucchini.
- The seeds should be warm and bright and sown in nutrient-rich seed soil.
- Cover the seeds with soil about 2 cm deep, 1 to 2 seeds per pot.
- Germination occurs relatively quickly.
- Transplanting to their final location takes place after the formation of the second to third pair of leaves, but only when there is no frost (e.g. after the ice saints).
- The plant bed should be enriched with organic material beforehand to ensure a good supply of nutrients. Like squash, snake zucchini are very hungry.
- The planting distance on the trellis is about 80 to 100 cm.
Water every other day in summer or as needed.