Unusual, doll-shaped gourds that can be harvested at various sizes, dried and painted to your own design, creating a family of Russian dolls.

NOT EDIBLE - Use acrylic paints to create your own designs.

Sow March to April in pots of moist seed compost.1cm (½in) deep. Place in a propagator or warm place, and keep at a constant temperature of between 20-25C (68-77F). After sowing, do not exclude light as this helps germination. Keep the surface of the compost moist but not waterlogged; germination will usually take 7-21 days. When at the 2 leaf stage, transplant seedlings on into 13cm (5in) pots and grow on in well-lit conditions.

Can also be sown direct outdoors once the soil has warmed.

Gradually acclimatise plants to cooler conditions for a few weeks before planting out after all risk of frost, 60cm (24in) apart.

For best results, provide a deep, rich, well-drained soil in full sun.

Not edible