Veseys

Gardeners’ Forum: “Birdhouse Gourds”

• Birdhouse Gourds

  Posted by Nancy on Thursday, October 11, 2001 12:20 pm ADT

  These have been such a success in my first year of growing them. I have 25 gourds of varying sizes. What should I do to dry them properly and how long should it take? I'd like to use them for birdhouse and bird feeder gifts for Christmas 2002, so I am not in a hurry. Tip for other gardners: these bloom at night with 4" to 5" white flowers. Adds a lovely luminescence to the night time garden.

  • re: Birdhouse Gourds

    Posted by Lois on Thursday, November 15, 2001 3:47 pm AST

    Gourds should be given water less frequently during the last weeks before harvest (usually early to mid autumn). The time to harvest gourds is when the stems have withered and the flesh has hardened. Handle them carefully at all times to avoid bruises; cut with a 2 inch stem. Dry off any moisture on the gourd. Wipe with a mild vinegar or bleach solution to reduce spoilage. Place on a rack in a dark well ventilated area. Don't place them so close together that they touch. You can make holes in the bottom with an ice pick to speed drying, or hang them by their stems. Room temperature is fine. Depending on size, gourds may take a month to 6 months to dry thoroughly. They are dry when the seeds rattle around inside. Be sure to check them often, and scrape off any mould that appears. It might help to have a fan in the room to promote air circulation.

  • re: Birdhouse Gourds

    Posted by Don Endicott on Wednesday, December 26, 2001 3:37 pm AST

    There's excellant information in a magazine site called Birds&Blooms. You can get there by going to www.reimanpub.com and follow the links or do a site search there for birdhouse gourds. We followed the instructions and all is going well so far. We've also ordered some seed (from Vesey's, of course) and hope to have lots for next season. Good luck!