Peculiar calabashes

A buddha-shaped calabash hangs from the vines at a garden in Lanzhou, Northwest China's Gansu Province, January 22, 2008. After six years of experiment, Lanzhou local Mr. Zha successfully harvested calabashes of various shapes like football, chessman and even the buddha. [Asianewsphoto]

A photo taken on January 22, 2008 shows football-shaped calabashes planted by a local resident in Lanzhou, Northwest China's Gansu Province. After six years of experiment, Lanzhou local Mr. Zha successfully harvested calabashes of various shapes like football, chessman and even the buddha. [Asianewsphoto]

Chessmen-shaped calabashes hang from the vines at a garden in Lanzhou, Northwest China's Gansu Province, January 22, 2008. After six years of experiment, Lanzhou local Mr. Zha successfully harvested calabashes of various shapes like football, chessman and even the buddha. [Asianewsphoto]

Mr. Zha shows a buddha-shaped calabash that he planted. After six years of experiment, Lanzhou local Mr. Zha successfully harvested calabashes of various shapes like football, chessman and even the buddha. [Asianewsphoto]

Mr. Zha shows his basketball-shaped calabashes he planted. After six years of experiment, Lanzhou local Mr. Zha successfully harvested calabashes of various shapes like football, chessman and even the buddha. [Asianewsphoto]

Mr. Zha plays Chinese chess with calabashes in the shape of chessmen. After six years of experiment, Lanzhou local Mr. Zha successfully harvested calabashes of various shapes like football, chessman and even the buddha. [Asianewsphoto]