These gourds grow up to 5 pound and average 8 - 12" in diameter. They are edible, but are not tasty and are largely used for decoration. They are open pollinated and attract bees, birds, & butterflies. I just discovered these wild colored gourds last year and knew I just had to grow them! They get a lot of attention because most people have never seen anything like it before!
Turks Cap Gourd
Minimum 15 seeds per package.
The fruit is about 3 inches—almost the size of a peach—with a yellow rind and fruity-tasting white flesh. They start out green and then turn yellow as they ripen.
You can spot a perfectly ripe melon in the same way you would a mango. It should feel heavier than it looks and have a slightly sweet aroma. Press gently on the end furthest from the stem—this should be slightly soft. Most of mine pulled away from the vine very easily.