If you implant a gourd or two , you could turn them into unique fall decor .
Brie Goldman
differ in color , shape , and sizing , every gourd look singular . well-off to grow , gourd flourish in long , warm growing seasons and expectant spaces . Do n’t have blank space for a large garden ? No problem . Plant gourds at the base of a fence panel and permit them develop up the side of the body structure . lionize the bounty of autumn by bringing your pet gourds indoors to use asfall decor .
Credit:Brie Goldman
Where to Plant Gourds
gourd vine need full sunshine and well - drained , more or less acidic to neutral soil ( pH between 6.5 and 7.5 ) .
An authoritative consideration when scouting your G for a suitable spot is space , as the vines can gain up to 12 feet in length . Atrellis or fenceis helpful for preventing plant from straggle across the garden or lawn . Compost heapsare democratic for arise gourd .
Do not plant gourds in the same location where other members of the Cucurbitae family ( cucumber , winter and summer squash , melons ) were grown in the past three years .
Credit:Alison Barnes Martin
How and When to Plant Gourds
calabash require a prospicient , warm farm season . In Zones 4 and below , considerstarting the seeds indoorsseveral week before the last hoar to get an early start on the time of year . When seedling are well - established and external temperature are above 50 ° F , acclimatize the seedlings to outdoor circumstance before transplanting them in garden ground .
Because gourd roots do n’t like to be disturbed , it is expert to start up the source in biodegradable locoweed . At planting time , delve a hole the sizing and profundity of the pot and bury the crapper in the land . Cover with a slender layer of soil so no part of the pot is reveal . ( Exposure would cause moisture loss . ) Space the seedlings at least 4 to 5 feet aside when using a trellis . Without a trellis , space them 6 to 10 ft asunder .
In surface area with a long growing season , you’re able to plant the gourd seeds directly in the garden after nighttime temperature remain systematically above 50 ° fluorine .
Sow seed ½ to 1 - inch deep and 1 foot apart . As the seedlings emerge , thin them out according to the spacing instructions above .
If you plan to arise the gourd on a treillage , erect a stout trellis ( gourds are heavy ! ) at planting meter .
Gourd Care Tips
Light
Like many veggie , calabash grow best in full sun . set them in an area where they will receive at least 8 hours of brilliant sun per day .
Soil and Water
The soil should be prolific and rich in constitutive matter , well - debilitate , and with a pH between 6.5 and 7.5 . In the absence seizure of pelting , water the plants lento and deeply with at least 1 inch of water . Mulching around the baseof the plants keep back soil moisture .
Temperature and Humidity
gourd arefrost - sensitive plant . They farm best in temperatures between 65 and 75 ° degree Fahrenheit and do n’t do well in extreme passion . During aheat undulation , verify to give them excess water .
Fertilizer
Harvesting
Harvest ornamental and hard - shell gourds when vines begin to dry and the shells have hardened , leave 1 to 2 inch of shank attached . Wash any dirt off the surface , then cure the case by storing gourds in a warm , teetotal placement for one to two calendar week . cover cure the gourds until the midland dries , too . This will take several weeks for ornamental gourd and up to six month for gruelling - racing shell gourds . Discard any that begin to mold or rot . Get originative with the rest inyour drop decor .
Harvest luffa gourd when the fruit is lightweight and seeds rattling inside . After dry strainer vine gourds , cut off the root word ends and shake out the semen . Remove the skin and bleach the spongy flesh in a solution of one part blanching agent to nine region water . Rinse and ironic before using as a bathing quick study .
Potting and Repotting Gourds
Gourds are notsuitable for containers . Even if you spring up them vertically on a trellis , containers do n’t offer enough of a solid base and are likely to topple over under the weight of the vine .
Pests and Problems
gourd vine can get various fungous disease , include foliage spots and verticillium wilt . The plants can also be affected byplant viruses , including cucumber mosaic virus . They are often transmitted by louse such as the squash vine borer .
pollenation is crucial for gourd vine , so keep a bee dependency nearby will help their growth .
How to Propagate Gourds
Gourds are propagated from ejaculate . If you are growing an open - pollenate gourd type and not hybrid gourds , you cansave the seedsfor next class .
you may either start gourds indoors or plant them straightaway in the garden . To begin them indoors :
Types of Gourds
Luffa Gourd
Alison Barnes Martin
A democratic variety of luffa isLuffa aegyptiaca , known as the quick study gourd . The long , cylindrical fruit originate on a vigorous vine . The spongy , dry out Department of the Interior isused as a bath sponger .
Dipper Gourd
Dipper gourd(Lagenaria siceraria)is characterized by its long , narrow neck and self-conceited understructure . After drying , cut it in half lengthwise to make a dipper .
Bottle Gourd
Lagenaria sicerariais also called birdhouse gourd because dry fruit may be made into birdhouse . In its immature microscope stage , it is eat as a vegetable , which is known as calabash .
Miniature Pumpkin
These mini pumpkins are a variety of pumpkin ( Cucurbita maxima ) which has been bred as an ornamental for surrender decorations .
Soft-Shell Gourd
Peter Krumhardt
This ornamentalCucurbitaspecies may have tranquil or warty skin . They can be white-hot , green , sensationalistic , orange , or ransack .
Frequently Asked Questions
you could cut the end of the vine with the male heyday back to promote the plant to grow more female blossom . verify you properly identify the male flowers ; they unremarkably seem first and they grow on a root word whereas the female flowers have a belittled gourd shape below the efflorescence . Do n’t trim all the virile flowers off , you still require them for pollenation .
No , gourds need dirt ball such as bees for pollenation . If there are none around , the female flower , which are on the same plant as the manly flowers , wo n’t get cross-pollinate and there will be poor yield solidification .
Gourds are purely ornamental plants and not intend for eating — and neither are their seeds . While exhaust them is potential , it is not recommended .
Although the amount of gourd will depart ground on rise conditions , most varieties will get about 15 gourd per works . However , Luffa can produce up to 40 gourds per works .
Updated by Nadia Hassani
Credit: Edmund Barr
Credit:Peter Krumhardt
