Hyotan / Opo Squash

Lagenaria siceraria
 
Known as bottle gourd, white flowered gourd, opo squash, and also by its Japanese name Hyotan. Very early, vigorous, prolific and day-length insensitive, and can be grown year round in Hawaii. Makes a local delicious soup with pork or chicken, long rice, dried shrimp, and ginger. Also great for curries. Try these mouth watering recipes from Tasting Hawaiʻi with Molokaʻi chef James Temple. Resistant to viruses, and tolerant to powdery and downy mildew. Fruit flies can be a problem stinging fruit - watch how this industrious farmer protects his fruit with fruit fly nets.
 
Growing tips: plant your opo squash on the edge of the garden or even at the edges of your lot because it will sprawl and can cover a large area of 8' x 8'. Great to grow on a marginal or rocky area or even on a tree, but not too large a tree or you won't be able to pick the fruit!
Seeds grown on Molokai.
 
Cultivation:
Depth: 1"
Spacing: 4' in rows and 10' in between rows
Sun: full to partial sun
Days to Maturity: 55