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Crown of Thorns Shenot Gourd Seeds

Scientific name Cucurbita pepo var. ovifera

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Alliance Of Native Seedkeepers  |  SKU: GD7

Seed packet & garden essentials

What to know before you plant

View complete growing & care facts
10 minimum seeds per packet
  • Maturity90-99 Days · 90-99 Days
  • Growth habitVining/Climbing · Annual · 97–120 in tall
  • Best useproductive warm-season beds, trellises or sprawling vines, kitchen use, and seed saving
  • Germination7-14 Days days · 75–90 °F
  • Seed preparationUse clean seed-starting conditions, the listed sowing depth and temperature, and steady moisture without saturation
  • SunFull sun
  • Support & spacingTrellis · space 24 in · rows 72 in
  • Container fitPossible in a properly sized container with reliable drainage, moisture, and room for the mature plant
  • Water needsModerate
  • SoilLoamy · pH 6.5–7.0
  • Planting seasonLate Spring · blooms Summer · Tender
  • Seed typeOpen-Pollinated (OP) · Non-GMO
$200 USD

Pickup available at Bertie County Seeds

Usually ready in 2-4 days
Secure checkout Details
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Triple-tested seed qualityRegular quality and germination checks support every packet.

We regularly test seed quality and germination as lots move through storage and packing. We stand behind the seed we send and want customers to contact us when a packet does not perform as reasonably expected.

1-year seed warrantyCoverage begins on the date of purchase.

When properly stored, planted, and cared for, we guarantee reasonable germination and true-to-type growth for one year from the date of purchase. Conditions outside our control—including extreme weather, pests, unsuitable storage, and gardener error—are excluded. Contact us when something is not right so we can review the situation and work toward a replacement, refund, or another fair resolution.

Non-GMO / BE seed policyWe do not buy or sell genetically engineered or bioengineered seed.

Every seed variety we sell is non-GMO.

USDA’s National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard defines bioengineered foods as containing detectable genetic material modified through in vitro recombinant DNA methods in ways not achievable through conventional breeding or found in nature.

  • Hybrid means parent lines were conventionally crossed; hybrid does not mean GMO.
  • Heirloom and open-pollinated describe how a variety is maintained and reproduced.
  • Organic certification is separate and is shown only when verified for the individual product.

Read how we define heirloom, hybrid, and GMO/BE seed · USDA BE Standard

Packed in Colerain, North CarolinaPrepared in our seed room for gardens across the country.

Seeds are packed and shipped from Colerain, North Carolina. Our packets use forestry-certified paper, and we use recyclable paper mailers where appropriate. AONSK is also a 1% for the Planet partner while continuing to reduce waste in packing and fulfillment.

Seed success profile

Rules-based · no AI
Gardener experience Some experience is helpful
Germination difficulty Straightforward
Preparation before sowing
Use clean seed-starting conditions, the listed sowing depth and temperature, and steady moisture without saturation
Germination speed
Typical — usually 7–21 days
Growing complexity
Warm-season vine or bush requiring root room, pollination, and protection from crown and vine pests
Patience and timing
90-99 Days
Is this seed a good match for your experience?
Expected germination
7-14 Days
Germination temperature
75–90 °F
Stratification
Not normally required by the current record
Scarification
Not normally required by the current record
Pre-soaking
Not normally required by the current record
Light during germination
Cover to the recorded depth; provide strong light immediately after emergence
Germination pattern
Usually reliable when seed is stored well and temperature, depth, moisture, and preparation match the recorded requirements
Transplant sensitivity
Often sensitive to root disturbance; direct sow or transplant young
Starting method
Cataloged as suitable for direct sowing; follow the product-specific timing and depth.
Best chance of success
For Crown of Thorns Shenot Gourd Seeds, control temperature and moisture at sowing, label the start date, and compare emergence with the complete recorded germination window before reseeding.
What to expect

Preparation: Use clean seed-starting conditions, the listed sowing depth and temperature, and steady moisture without saturation. Germination light: Cover to the recorded depth; provide strong light immediately after emergence. Expected emergence: 7-14 Days. Temperature: 75-90 °F.

Slow germination is not automatically failed germination.

Maintain the listed temperature, moisture, light, and treatment conditions for the full expected window. Some seed lots emerge gradually rather than all at once.

1 Beginner-friendly 2 One extra step 3 Some experience helpful 4 Patient growers 5 Advanced propagation

This deterministic profile uses recorded product facts; it is not Artificial Intelligence and is not a guarantee. Seed age, storage, sowing depth, moisture, temperature, light, local conditions, and aftercare can all affect results. Last reviewed July 2026.

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Compare timing, germination preparation, sunlight, soil, water, space, support, intended use, and your preferred level of seed-starting complexity.

Open the detailed garden-fit planner Deterministic rules · no Artificial Intelligence · no live weather service

Complete product description

Crown of Thorns Shenot Gourd Seeds

Description

A living sculpture in gourd form. ‘Crown of Thorns Shenot’ produces uniquely ridged fruits encircled by horn-like projections in shades of gold, orange, green, and white. Each gourd resembles a sunburst or spiked crown, making it a centerpiece for autumn displays.

Vines grow 8–10 feet long and yield heavily, producing fruits 5–7 inches across. Though ornamental, they dry well for long-term decoration.

An old heirloom with uncertain European origins, ‘Crown of Thorns’ remains one of the most striking decorative gourds ever grown—proof that nature is the finest artist.

Minimum Seed Count: 10 seeds

Every recorded growing detail

Complete growing & care facts

Continue to the garden-fit planner

Plant identity

Minimum seed count 10 seeds
Seed product profile Cucurbit
Scientific name Cucurbita pepo var. ovifera
Also known as Gourd, Gourd Seeds - Crown of Thorns Shenot
Life cycle Annual
Botanical family Cucurbitaceae
Reproductive type Open-Pollinated (OP)
Heritage qualifiers Non-GMO
Native to the United States Domesticated Plant
Domestication note Mesoamerica (Mexico–Central America)

Seed success and gardener experience

Gardener experience Some experience is helpfulLevel 3 of 5
Germination difficulty StraightforwardLevel 2 of 5
Preparation before sowing Use clean seed-starting conditions, the listed sowing depth and temperature, and steady moisture without saturation
Stratification Not normally required by the current record
Scarification Not normally required by the current record
Pre-soaking Not normally required by the current record
Light during germination Cover to the recorded depth; provide strong light immediately after emergence
Germination pattern Usually reliable when seed is stored well and temperature, depth, moisture, and preparation match the recorded requirements
Growing complexity Warm-season vine or bush requiring root room, pollination, and protection from crown and vine pests
Transplant sensitivity Often sensitive to root disturbance; direct sow or transplant young
First harvest or bloom 90-99 Days
Best chance of success For Crown of Thorns Shenot Gourd Seeds, control temperature and moisture at sowing, label the start date, and compare emergence with the complete recorded germination window before reseeding.

Timing and climate

Days to maturity 90-99 Days
Germination 7-14 Days
Germination temperature 75–90 °F
Planting season Late Spring
Bloom season Summer
Frost tolerance Tender
Sunlight Full sun
Water needs Moderate

Site, soil, and space

Soil type Loamy
Preferred soil pH 6.5–7.0
Seed depth 1 in
Plant spacing 24 in
Row spacing 72 in
Mature height 97–120 in
Growth habit Vining/Climbing
Support needed Trellis
Suitable growing locations In-ground bed, Raised bed, High Tunnel, Greenhouse, Community garden, Vertical

Crop-specific details

Fruit size 5-7 inches

Garden-fit planning for this variety

Will Crown of Thorns Shenot Gourd Seeds fit your garden?

Check vine space, warmth, pollination, water, support, and harvest use.

Rules-based · no AI
Questions for this vining crop seed
Seed-starting fit and patience
Recorded product profileSome experience is helpfulStraightforwardRead why
Soil test, pH, drainage, and amendment calculator Have a laboratory soil report? Enter pH, nutrients, texture, bed size, and site observations here. Open soil tools
Recorded soil typeLoamy
Recorded pH range6.5–7.0
Water needsModerate
LightFull sun

Soil Readiness

for Cucumber (Cucumis sativus)

Where to get a soil test

Best option: your state’s Cooperative Extension soil testing lab.

Tip: Arid or alkaline regions often use Olsen for phosphorus interpretation.
Adjusts P ppm target and interpretation.
Target 6.2-7.0
Ideal 4-8%
Target 30-60 ppm (Mehlich-3)
Target 150-250 ppm
Ok ≥ 1000 ppm
Ok ≥ 120 ppm
Used for pH adjustment size
For shopping list amounts
Interprets P by extractant, assumes ppm. Results are approximate.
Enter at least one value above, then Calculate.

The full variety record

Sowing, care, harvest, troubleshooting, and history

How to start Crown of Thorns Shenot Gourd Seeds from seedPreparation, timing, depth, germination, transplanting, spacing, and early care

Variety-specific germination notes

Preparation: Use clean seed-starting conditions, the listed sowing depth and temperature, and steady moisture without saturation. Germination light: Cover to the recorded depth; provide strong light immediately after emergence. Expected emergence: 7-14 Days. Temperature: 75-90 °F.

Complete sowing and planting guidance

How to sow and plant Gourd: plant in prepared, well-drained soil after the recommended seasonal window for your area. Keep the seedbed evenly moist during germination, thin seedlings to the listed spacing, and mulch established plants to conserve soil moisture.
How to grow this specific varietyLight, water, fertility, support, spacing, airflow, crop behavior, and season-long care

Complete growing guide

How to grow Gourd: choose a site with the listed sunlight and soil requirements. Water consistently, avoid overcrowding, and monitor plants for pests, disease, and nutrient stress. Harvest at the proper stage for best flavor and seed quality.
Practical field and garden tipsExtra techniques, timing adjustments, and observations that improve success
Additional tips for Gourd: succession plant when appropriate, label varieties clearly, and keep good garden notes on germination, vigor, flavor, and harvest timing so you can compare varieties season to season.
Harvest, storage, uses, and benefitsWhen and how to harvest, ways to use the crop, storage, culinary value, habitat value, and garden roles

Uses and benefits

Uses and benefits of Gourd: grow for home gardens, seedkeeping, fresh harvests, culinary use, and biodiversity in the garden. Exact use depends on the variety and harvest stage.
Seed saving and carrying the variety forwardPollination, isolation, selection, harvest, cleaning, drying, and storage
Seed saving for Gourd: select healthy, true-to-type plants, allow seed to mature fully before harvest, dry seed thoroughly, and store in a cool, dry, labeled container. Isolate varieties as needed to prevent unwanted crossing.
Common pests, diseases, and growing problemsIdentification, prevention, crop-safe response, and when intervention is justified

Complete pest and problem guide

Common pests and problems for Gourd: monitor for chewing insects, sap-sucking insects, fungal leaf spots, damping off, poor germination from cold or dry soil, and stress from inconsistent watering. Use crop rotation, spacing, mulch, and good airflow to reduce pressure.
Questions gardeners ask about this seedProduct-specific answers for sowing, care, harvest, use, and seed saving
Frequently Asked Questions — Gourd

Q: When should I plant Gourd?
A: Follow the planting season listed on this product page and adjust for your local frost dates.

Q: How deep should I sow the seeds?
A: Use the seed depth listed in the growing facts.

Q: Can I save seed from this variety?
A: Open-pollinated varieties can generally be saved when properly isolated and selected; hybrids may not grow true to type.
History, provenance, and cultural contextWhat is documented, what is reported, what remains uncertain, and how the variety reached gardeners

Scientific name: Cucurbita pepo var. ovifera

Plant and variety history

Gourd Seeds - Crown of Thorns Shenot belongs to a crop lineage strongly associated with Mesoamerican agriculture and long traditions of seed selection. Growers preserved useful traits such as flavor, color, yield, field adaptation, and culinary value over many generations.

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Customer experience

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