We are hard at work to organize
a page which will help you find information about gourds -- what
are they and how do you grow, harvest,
store,
clean and craft them. These is a section on how
to exhibit in gourd shows and some tips on what judges
are looking for. We have included both general information and some
commonly asked questions below. If you have a question not answered here,
please email.
What
are gourds?
There are three
main types of gourds: the cucurbita or ornamentals, the lagenaria
or hardshell, and the luffa or vegetable sponge.
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The cucurbita
or ornamentals are the familiar colorful gourds of fall arrangements.
The vines produce large orange-colored blossoms and bloom in the daytime.
Some of the many kinds of ornamentals are crown of thorns, pear, orange,
egg, spoon, and warties.Use this chart to help identify the types
of ornamental gourds.
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The lagenaria or
hardshells are usually larger gourds, and the vines produce white blossoms
which bloom at night. Lagenaria are green when growing on the vine, and
have thick, hard shells when dry. Once dried, they're used for many types
of craft work. Some varieties of hardshells are dipper, bushel, bottle,
birdhouse, and maranka. Use this chart to help identify the types
of hardshell gourds.
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Luffas, unlike
other gourds, have an easily removed outer shell, and are
important for their tough, fibrous interior, which are commonly used as
sponges. The yellow flowered vines bloom during the
day. More about luffas...
(Information Source:
Show bulletin of the Ohio Gourd Society.)
Growing
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Where are seeds available for
the many different types of gourds? Please see our links/sources
page.
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Please see our planting/transplanting
page for answers to your questions about how to get your crop started!
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For general summer growing information
see our summer help page.
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Insect pests
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striped
cucumber beetle
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squash bugs -- inch-long greyish
bugs whose wings meet in a x-pattern on their backs. They will eat both
leaves and fruits. Read directions on commercial pesticides carefully and
follow recommended usage. You may also hand-pick and destroy leaves with
clusters of copper colored eggs to help control these pests.
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powder post beetles -- tiny
brown beetles that may be present in dried gourds. Look for pin-hole entrances
to their tunnels usually surrounded by flour-like dust. These beetles must
have moisture to allow the larvae to bore into the wall of the gourd. Remove
infected gourds to a very dry place or use a desiccant. If the gourd is
made into a craft item, paint the surfaces.
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vine borers may be the culprit
if a whole vine seem to wilt in one day's time. Look for their entrance
holes close to where the vine comes out of the ground
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Gourd plant diseases
Harvesting
and drying gourds
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Please
see our fall tips page for information about
when to pick gourds, how to prepare them for drying, and how to store
them.
Craft
Projects
How
to prepare for exhibits and shows:
