How To: Save Ridge Gourd (Torai) Seeds To Plant Next Season?
A STEP BY STEP GUIDE
Have you recently started your kitchen garden and looking to go to the next step? Saving seeds from your garden or farm is not only simple but an assurance of the quality of produce you can expect next year. Here is our step by step guide for you to save ridge gourd seeds. Ridge gourds are also commonly called Torai in Northern India.
STEP 1
Start with choosing a desi (non-hybrid) ridge gourd plant that is free from disease and is healthy. Hybird plants are designed to last one single season only and seeds from such a plant wont come true. Ridge gourds rarely cross-pollinate, so even if you haven’t isolated your plants to maintain purity, you can still save the seeds and be confident that you’ll end up with the same type of gourds you grew this year.
STEP 2
The harvest period of a ridge gourd typically lasts for two months. Towards the end of the harvest period, leave the fruits on the vine to mature. The ridge gourds should completely dry out on the vine itself. Shake the dry pods to hear the seeds inside. The sounds of the moving seeds indicates its maturity.
STEP 3
When the pods are completely dry (the fruit dries up to become brown in colour generally), remove it from the plant and crack open one side of the pod. Gently tip the pod towards the ground to remove the seeds.
STEP 4
Gently rub the seeds to remove any chaff or dried matter. Store your dried beans in a labeled jar or envelop, do not forget to jot down the month and year of the seed. Use the stored seeds next season for best results.
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