Desi Tinda Seeds – Dark Green (Apple Gourd) (SUMMER)

Desi Tinda (Praecitrullus fistulosus), commonly known as Apple Gourd or Round Gourd, is a traditional summer vegetable widely cultivated throughout Pakistan.

The Dark Green selection produces attractive, round fruits with a deeper green skin colour than the Light Green variety. The fruits are valued for their tender white flesh, delicate flavour and suitability for traditional Pakistani cooking.

Plants develop short, spreading and branching vines, making them suitable for garden beds, raised beds and large grow bags.

With sufficient sunlight, fertile soil, consistent watering and successful pollination, Desi Tinda can provide repeated harvests during the growing season.

Key Features

• Botanical Name: Praecitrullus fistulosus

• Common Name: Desi Tinda / Apple Gourd / Round Gourd

• Variety: Desi Dark Green

• Type: Warm-season vegetable

• Fruits: Round, dark green, smooth to slightly fuzzy

• Flesh: Tender, white and mild-flavoured

• Growth Habit: Short, spreading and branching vines

• Sunlight: Full sun

• Special Features: Traditional Desi variety, distinctive dark-green fruits and repeated harvesting

Recommended Grow Bags

G-24 Grow Bag – 24 × 12 inch – 1 plant.

G-24 F Grow Bag – 24 × 18 inch – 1 plant.

G-28 F Grow Bag – 28 × 18 inch – 1 plant.

Allow sufficient space for vines to spread naturally. A low trellis or gentle support may be used where space is limited, although vertical support is not essential.

Recommended Soil / Potting Mix

50% Bhalu Mitti / Garden Soil + 30% GREEN GARDENS Vermicompost + 20% Cocopeat

Use loose, fertile, organic-rich and well-draining soil. Maintain consistent moisture while avoiding waterlogging.

Growing Instructions from Seeds

• Method: Direct sowing preferred

• Sowing Depth: Approximately 2–3 cm

• Germination: 7–10 days

• Ideal Temperature: 25–30°C

• Plant Spacing: Approximately 60–90 cm, allowing vines to spread

• Watering: Keep soil evenly moist until germination

Sow 2 seeds per planting position and retain the healthiest seedling after germination.

Untreated seeds may be soaked in room-temperature water for 6–8 hours before sowing.

Avoid overcrowding and ensure adequate airflow around developing plants.

Sunlight & Watering

Sunlight: Full sun, preferably 6–8 hours daily.

Watering: Water regularly to maintain consistent soil moisture, especially during flowering and fruit development. Avoid prolonged dryness and waterlogging.

Growth & Harvesting

• First Harvest: Approximately 50–65 days after sowing

• Harvesting Season: Spring, summer and early autumn, depending on sowing time

• Growth Habit: Short, spreading and branching vines

• Fruit Type: Round, dark-green apple gourds

Harvest fruits while they are young, tender and deep green, before the skin becomes tough and seeds mature.

Frequent harvesting every 2–3 days during active fruiting encourages continued production and helps maintain good cooking quality.

Feeding

Mix GREEN GARDENS Vermicompost into the soil before sowing.

Apply additional vermicompost as needed during flowering and fruit development.

Maintain balanced nutrition and avoid excessive nitrogen feeding, which may encourage vegetative growth at the expense of fruit production.

Pollination & Fruit Development

Desi Tinda produces separate male and female flowers on the same plant.

Bees and other pollinating insects transfer pollen between flowers, supporting healthy fruit development.

Insufficient pollination may cause small developing fruits to turn yellow and drop prematurely.

Encourage beneficial pollinators and avoid applying insecticides when bees are actively visiting flowers.

Hand pollination may help when natural pollinator activity is insufficient.

Related Products

• Desi Tinda Seeds – Light Green

• Apple Gourd – Tinda F1 Hybrid Seeds

• GREEN GARDENS Grow Bags

• GREEN GARDENS Vermicompost

• Growing Guide Videos – Gardening with Javed Iqbal