Grow your own fall decorations and craft items from the seeds below.
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learn how to Hand Pollinate your Gourds
New! Check out
our Decorative Squash Page for some really interesting fall
decorations.
The second group includes the hard, thin-shelled “utility” bottle/birdhouse gourds belonging to the Lagenaria genus. The Lagenarias have smooth stems; soft, large leaves; and white flowers. The Lagenaria gourds are tan to brown when mature with long, narrow hard stems and have many distinct shapes and sizes. This includes such unique types as the caveman’s club, calabash, dolphin (maranka), swan gourd, Corsican flat, apple, drum, bottle, and small and large dipper types.
Days to maturity will vary by species and variety, ranging from 90 days from seed for the small Cucubita gourds to over 120 days for Lagenaria types. As the weather cools in the fall, additional time in the field may be needed.
The Cucurbitaceae family is tropical and sub-tropical in origin, and does not tolerate cold soils or cool growing temperatures. Even a light frost will significantly damage foliage and impede crop development. Planting should be delayed until the late spring when soils have warmed. When making planting date decisions, average fall frost date and marketing period should be considered along with varietal days to maturity. Proper timing of the planting to allow the crop to mature before frost is of particular importance. These factors should also be considered when making decisions to direct seed or transplant the crop in the field.
Both species have sprawling growth habits and require room to spread. Lagenaria types readily climb by long twining tendrils, and are often grown supported by a trellis. All cucurbits are monecious (separate male and female flowers on the same plant), and require insects (bees) to transfer pollen and to set fruit. Night-flying moths are also known to pollinate Lagenaria.
Lagenarias have a long growing season and need early planting to mature by the end of the season. Otherwise a large percentage of fruit will be green at first frost. In comparison to Cucurbita types, Lagenarias are more sensitive to cold, and more adapted to consistent warm weather conditions. Soils should be at least 65°F prior to planting. To speed growth and development, use transplants instead of direct seeding.
Lagenarias are vigorous growers and develop large plants. Vines may reach 20 to 30 feet in length. Rows should be 10 to 15 feet apart, with plants set five to six feet apart in the row. Because of the price of seed and their vigor, multi-plant hills are not recommended. The above spacing will require 500 to 700 plants or seeds per acre. For the bottle and dipper types, trellising will allow fruit to hang, resulting in a straight neck. If allowed to grow on the ground, the fruit will curve in various directions.
The ideal soil pH is in the range of 6.5 to 7.0. A soil test should be conducted to determine available phosphorous (P), potassium (K), and magnesium (Mg) levels. Low P and K soils require amendment to increase levels of these nutrients to moderate levels per soil test standards. As a starter fertilizer, at least 50 pounds of P and 100 pounds of K per acre should be applied in most soils. Gourds are sensitive to low levels of Mg, and soils should test to 100 to 125 pounds per acre of this nutrient. If not, Mg should also be supplemented preplant. Because of significant vine and leaf growth, gourds respond to fertile soils and applied nitrogen (N). At planting apply 50 to 60 pounds of N per acre along with P, K, and Mg amendments. Vines will begin to run or spread in three to five weeks after planting. An additional side dressing of 30 to 40 pounds of N per acre should be applied to keep plants vigorous. With drip irrigation, supplemental N can be injected and split-applied at two- to three-week intervals. By late summer, nutrients and water should be reduced. This will permit plants to slow growth and recently set fruits to mature and harden off.
We have found that our Gourd Growth Stimulator is very good for allowing quicker uptakes of nutrients, and can in most cases the days to harvest period to be reduced as much as 10 days.
Supplemental irrigation on both tilled and no-till fields can be beneficial during dry periods and increases yields. Irrigation should supplement rainfall with an average of one to two inches per week. Water should be withheld during the end of the season to hasten maturity.
For small-scale plantings, Lagenaria gourds will respond to vine pruning by increasing the number lateral shoots (runners) and of female flowers that develop into fruit. Vines should be tipped back once with a mower or by hand when they reach eight to ten feet in length.
Average yields for the small Cucurbita gourds will be from 20,000 to 30,000 fruit per acre. For the Lagenarias, expect a range of 2,000 to 5,000 gourds per acre.
To assure quality, timely harvest and proper handling and curing are necessary. Cucurbita gourds are frost sensitive when mature, and should be harvested before the first predicted frost event in the fall. Full-color development, and the drying and hardening of the stem and outer skin are harvest indicators. Immature gourds willnot cure well, and are best left in the field. Harvested fruit with spots of decay or damage or that are too immature should be sorted and discarded. Depending on planting date, a range of fruit maturity is typical, as plants will continually set new fruit over the season. Where days to maturity are observed, a large percentage of fruit should be mature on the vine before frost; a few may have passed ideal harvest stages.
At maturity, Lagenaria gourds will begin to change from bright green to pale green and eventually to tan. The stem will also become more rigid and dry. In contrast to the Cucurbita types, once fruit has reached a mature- or firm-green stage, with proper curing they will usually dry without decay or shrinkage. Some of the Lagenaria types, such as the speckled swan gourds are harvested green and are marketed in a timely manner similar to Cucurbitas. If the season allows, it is best to leave them in the field until they are as near to maturity as possible. Frost may affect the final tan color, surface pattern, and seed viability, but not the shell integrity of a mature Lagenaria.
Harvest all gourds with one to two inches of stem intact. An intact stem enhances value. Care should be taken not to bruise or scrape them, and always clip, not tear the fruit from the vine. Freshly harvested gourds can be washed in warm, soapy water, using a soft brush to clean warty types. A light pressure rinse may suffice, followed by a dip in clean water with a household disinfectant, rubbing alcohol, or a light bleach solution (1 percent to 2 percent). This step is important to reduce fungi and bacteria on the surface that can find entry through surface injuries.
Both types are cured under similar conditions; however, the Lagenaria group requires several months to cure before it can be utilized while the Cucurbita group needs only a few weeks to properly cure for use. When cured properly, Lagenarias will last for many years; the Cucurbita types six to nine months before the colors begin to fade.
Curing is a two-step process, involving a short period for surface drying, and a second, longer internal curing period. Surface drying hardens the outer skin and sets the colors for the Cucurbita types. Spread out cleaned gourds on a screen or newspapers in a well-ventilated, partially sunny area, and turn them regularly. Discard any that shrivel or develop soft spots. Surface drying can take from a few days to a week.
Gourds can also be cut from plants and initially left to dry in the field. This is often done with Lagenaria types. Uncleaned, field-dried gourds should be rinsed and wiped down with a disinfectant solution before continuing with internal curing. Harvest bins, packing boxes and shipping crates are not advisable places for curing, as lack of air movement will result in rotted gourds.
Internal curing requires a warm (80°F), low-light, and dry location. Warmth encourages rapid drying, darkness prevents color fading, and dry conditions discourage mold. Artificial heat can be used, but without ventilation it can lead to faster mold development. A well-placed fan can help speed the process. Cucurbita gourds will need an additional two to four weeks to final cure, while Lagenaria species may take up to three months to fully cure; longer if they were green at harvest. Seeds rattling inside indicate the gourd is fully dry. Prior to shipping or display in the market, sort cured Cucurbita gourds one last time for decay, as potentially immature fruit may have been harvested in the rush to beat frost or get them to market.
During curing of Lagenaria, it is common to see mold growing
across the surface. The mold can leave desirable, unique
patterns as it breaks down the waxes and upper skin layers, yet
the fruit wall integrity is not diminished. Lagenaria gourds
are highly resistant to decay and to an extent can be exposed
to the elements and variable temperatures.
Long-term winter exposure can result in cracking and weaken
gourds and is not advised. At a minimum, these gourds should be
stored in a barn or well-ventilated shed. Regular wiping with
alcohol or a light bleach solution can discourage mold growth
if a solid tan color is desired for these types.
Following curing, gourds can be waxed, lacquered, or painted to extend their life and improve appearance. For colored cucurbita types, well-cured gourds may last three to four months without this treatment while coating with wax or varnish will extend storage life and color retention to six to eight months. Paste wax will provide a soft luster to the gourd, while varnish or lacquer adds a hard, glossy shine. Dip waxes used for fruit such as apples and oranges can also be used on gourds to extend life, and some commercial buyers require this treatment.
Gourds can be sanded smooth and painted as well, which can greatly extend the life of the Lagenaria types used outdoors, such as for a birdhouse. Often they are painted gold or silver for table displays.
Lagenaria types have many utilitarian uses. The crook-necked types can be cut into dippers and scoops; the larger drum gourds used as storage vessels. For birdhouses, drill a small hole through the top for a hanging cord. On the side, cut a hole large enough to accommodate wrens, barn swallows, or other small birds. Shake out the dried seeds. A small hole drilled in the bottom will help drain any rainwater that finds its way into the house. These natural-gourd birdhouses can last for many years.
You can save seeds from grourds, but they do cross
pollinated very easily, to ensure that seed is true, isolation
or blocking of the planting by variety should be practiced to
limit crosspollination potential. One of the best methods to
ensure true seed is to directly hand-pollinate selected flowers
as they open, with a known pollen source.
Use a ribbon, flag, or other marker to keep track of these
fruit through the harvest period. Fruits should be fully mature
before seeds are extracted. Separate seeds from the pulp and
spread in a thin layer on cloth or newspaper until dry. Store
seed in a cool, dry place. Under ideal conditions seed may
remain viable for three to five years.
New! Jim's Field of Gourds Mix
Jim has put together an economical package of gourd seed for
the gardener who wants a lot of gourds, but isn't worried about
separating the varieties and wants a good price on seed.
This mixture contains Bird House, Bottle, Penguin, Long Handle,
Crown of Thorns, Striped Pear, Nest Egg, Orange, Cave Man's
Club, Waterjug and small warted varieties.
This is a 60cc package, that contains over 200 seeds and is
priced at only $7.95 per pack!
Plenty of seeds to grow an half acre of gourds or share some
with friends.
RGS098 Autumn Wing Swan Large ( Cucurbita pepo
)
A unique gourd of many colors with wings, warts and with fruit
the shape of a swan gourd. Its bulb size is 2 1/2" to 3" in
diameter with a neck up to 12" long. 100 days.
RGS099 Autumn Wing Swan Medium ( Cucurbita pepo
)
A unique gourd of many colors with wings, warts and with fruit
the shape of a swan gourd. Its bulb size is 2 1/2" to 3" in
diameter with a neck up to 6" long. 100 days.
RGS100 Autumn Wing Swan Small ( Cucurbita pepo
)
A unique gourd of many colors with wings, warts and with fruit
the shape of a swan gourd. Its bulb size is 2 1/2" to 3" in
diameter with a neck up to 4-5" long.100 days.
RGS041 Big Apple Gourd ( Lagenaria siceraria
)
Looks very much like a big green apple reaching 5-7" across.
Dries well and has great potential for crafts.
RGS143 Yugoslavian Fingers ( Cucurbita pepo
)
100 Days. This is a most unique and unusual gourd! Large,
slightly oval, like a very large egg with 8-10 fingers jutting
out from the top, that form wings or ribs on the sides of the
fruit. The cream colored fruit most closely resemble a very
large Crown of Thorns gourd. An excellent ornamental type for
fall decoration and marketing.
RGS144 Daisy Gourd ( Cucurbita pepo )
95 Days. Mixed colors of green, orange, yellow and white with
most having a unique daisy pattern look on the stem end. The
small gourds measure 2.5-3" high by 3" wide. Recommened 1.5-2'
spacing in row and 6' between rows. It will yield better if it
is not over populated.
1A248 Blister Gourd ( Lagenaria siceraria
)
New and unusual. 110 days. Apple shaped fruit covered in warts,
weight 4-7 lbs. and measuring 9 x 12 inches when mature,
excellent fall decoration. Larger and more warted than bule
type.
RGS042 Indian Serpent Gourd ( Lagenaria siceraria
)
Actually an unusual cucumber with long, white speckled fruits
that resembles snakes. Long used in India and the orient as a
vegetable, quite delicious when young. Roots and seeds are also
used to expel worms and treat diarrhea and syphilis.
RGS002 Bottle Gourd ( Lagenaria siceraria
)
The legendary bulb shaped gourd used so widely for decorations.
Dries to a buff brown.
RGS003 Spoon Gourd ( Cucurbita pepo )
Colorful. Small ball at one end perfect for hollowing out to
use as a spoon.
FB134 Spoon Platoon ( Cucurbita pepo )
90 Days. A unique mix of spoon gourds from Harris Seeds that have a dark green and golden yellow color. The fruit are 4-5" long with some being smooth, some having wings and others having wings with warts. The fruit are produced on bush plants , have good color retention and the winged types resist breakage better than other winged varieties..
RGS097 Spoon Bi-color Gourd ( Cucurbita pepo
)
These small, orange-and-green colored gourds have slender necks
and a club shape similiar to the common Spoon Gourd
RGS004 Penguin Gourd ( Lagenaria siceraria
)
A favorite with craftsmen, 12 inches long by 5 inches wide.
RGS005 Snake Gourd ( Lagenaria siceraria )
A favorite from England. An Excellent climber with long,
curved, gray-green fruits that turn bright orange when
mature.
RGS006 Shenot Crown of Thorns ( Cucurbita maxima
)
Upright spikes give this unusual plant a crown-like appearance.
Colors range through cream, yellow, orange and green, some
striped.
RGS007 Small Flat Striped ( Cucurbita pepo
)
Flattened oval, with white to yellow with dark green stripes.
Very decorative.
RGS008 Orange Gourd ( Cucurbita pepo )
Round, smooth bright orange 2+ to 3" gourds, perfect for fall
decorations.
RGS009 Nest Egg Gourd ( Cucurbita pepo )
Beautiful, white oblong small gourds resembling eggs. Great for
painting and decorations. They are sometimes used to fool
setting hens into laying.
RGS010 Long Handle Dipper Gourd ( Lagenaria siceraria
)
Beautiful gourd with curved long handle, used for dippers in
the past and for birdhouses in the present.
RGS012 Small Fruited Mix
Wonderful blend of types for drying and ornamental uses. Mostly
C. pepo varieties.
RGS013 Turk's Turban ( Cucurbita maxima )
Large Aladdin type gourd. Bright red-orange turban with white
and green cap.
RGS014 Miniature Turk's Turban ( Cucurbita maxima
)
A very attractive miniature version of the famous Turk's
Turban.
RGS015 Speckled Swan ( Lagenaria siceraria
)
Smooth, dark green/mottled cream. Curved neck, swan head
shaped. Should be picked when young for best shape and
color.
RGS017 Mini Red Turban ( Cucurbita maxima
)
Similar to Aladdin, but without a striped cap. Turban is pure
scarlet, body is white.
RGS018 Striped Crown of Thorns ( Cucurbita pepo var.
ovifera )
Multi-colored, striped version of the Crown of Thorns.
RGS020 Cave Man's Club ( Lagenaria siceraria
)
Knobby, long handled club shaped gourd.
RGS112 Dinosaur ( Lagenaria siceraria )
This variety from Seed Savers is very similar to the Dolphin we
offer, but seems to have a longer neck and maybe smaller bulb.
Given to SSE years ago by a Cherokee member from Louisiana.
Traditionally used to decorate sweat lodges. Solid-green fruits
have curved necks and wing-like projections, perfect for
gourdcraft swans. Total length of 18-24" with an 8" bowl and
unique serpentine projections. Straight necks if grown on a
trellis. 125 days.
RGS021 Powder Horn ( Lagenaria siceraria )
Much like the calabash gourd, but usually more powder horn
defined shape.
RGS022 Long Siphon ( Lagenaria siceraria )
Extra long 36 inch hollow handle with 10 inch diameter ball
end.
RGS023 Water Jug ( Lagenaria siceraria )
Huge gourd with hourglass shape, very ornamental.
RGS125 Goblin Eggs Mixture
Delightful mix of egg-shaped gourds, great for holiday
displays. Goblin Eggs Mix Gourds are uniform size; fast to
mature. 80 DAYS.
RGS128 Koshare Yellow Banded Gourd ( C. pepo
)
Koshare Spoon is an exciting new gourd with a unique appearance
and a superior plant habit for better production. Maturing in
95-100 days, vigorous multi-stem bush plants permit higher
populations and a more concentrated set. Both total yield and
ease of harvest are improved.
Koshare fruit are about 4.5 inches long and very uniform in
shape. An assortment of banding patterns of vibrant dark green
and golden yellow are produced on each plant. Because
temperature during flower development affects fruit coloration,
solid green fruit and fruit with 2-5 bands of alternating color
are produced. Koshare can stand alone or be a handsome addition
to small gourd mix. It’s color retention is excellent,
enduring long after other gourds have faded away. Koshare Spoon
is an absolute must for any serious gourd grower.
RGS026 Small Warted Mixture
A mixture of favorite small warted gourds in an exceptional
array of colors and shapes including bi-colors for craft
use.
TPF217 Rupp's Fancy Small Warted Mixture
This popular mixture contains a mixture of spoon, pear and round gourds all of which are warted and very colorful..
RGS027 Small Mixture
Beautiful patterns, sizes, shapes and colors. Small fruits are
fine for table decorations, fresh or dried.
RGS028 Large Mixture ( Burpee )
Various sizes for birdhouses, dippers and other crafting
project.
RGS029 Birdhouse Gourd ( Lagenaria siceraria
)
A ball shaped gourd with a long neck, very popular for creating
natural birdhouses.
RGS030 Orange Warted ( C. pepo )
Small orange gourd covered with warts. Good fall
decoration.
RGS032 Miniature Bottle Gourd ( Lagenaria siceraria
)
A lovely decorative gourd with the same shape as the familiar
bottle gourd, but only half the size.
RGS033 Pear Bicolor ( C. pepo )
Pear shaped hard and smooth fruit with lower half green, upper
half yellow to buff.
RGS034 Bushel Gourd ( Lagenaria siceraria
)
Kettle shaped fruits growing to 20" wide, makes wonderful
baskets or containers. Very limited supply of seeds.
RGS145 Coriscan Gourd ( Lagenaria siceraria
)
Actually, this is our favorite gourd for making baskets out of, as it holds thingks well and sits flat when in use. Plant produces good yields of 12" diameter by 5" deep round flattened gourds. It resmebles a wheel of cheese. Dried and used for making bowls. A variety from Peru.125 days.
RGS051 Martin House Gourd ( Lagenaria siceraria
)
The favorite of all gourds for making birdhouses. Similar to
small kettle gourd with large bulb on bottom and tapered stem
end.
RGS035 Canteen Gourd ( Lagenaria siceraria
)
A new type of ornamental gourd with a unique canteen/wheel
shape. Excellent ornamental appeal.
RGS109 Ten Commandments ( C. pepo )
Softball sized fruits have five pairs of protruding prongs that
point towards the blossom end. Nice mixture of bright striped,
mottled, multicolored fruits. 95 days.
RGS110 Bule ( Lagenaria siceraria )
A rare French heirloom that is shaped like an 8" Big Apple
gourd, but these are covered in attractive warts. They are very
ornamental and make a good market item.
RGS095 Tennessee Dancing, Spinning Gourd ( C. pepo
)
A tiny gourd just 2" long! They are bottle shaped and green and
white striped- turning tan when dry. This unique heirloom used
to be popular with school children in years gone by, kids would
bring 'em to play with. Dancing gourds spin just like a top,
they make great toys, superb crafts, arrangements, and much
more!
RGS050 Tobacco Box or Sugar Bowl Gourd ( Lagenaria
siceraria )
A flattened round gourd with a slight taper at the stem end, as
name suggests, used in days gone by as a sugar bowl or tobacco
box.
RGS142 Prickles Small Fruited Gourd ( Cucumis anguria
)
Golf ball-sized fruits with long green spines.
Fun shape for decorating. Has a shorter shelf life once
harvested compared to hard skinned gourds.
RGS080 Burpee Small Fancy Mix ( Seeds from Burpee Seed
Company )
Colorful yellow, orange, green and white fruits; some stripes
and bicolors; shaped like an apple, orange, pear, egg, bottle,
etc. Attractive fall and winter decorations. Vines spread 12'.
25 seeds per packet. Sun.
1A181 Benary Small Fruited Mix
Wonderful range of sizes and shapes up to 8" long from Benary.
90-110 days.
RGS130 Little Guys Mix
Seeds from Harris Seed Company. 95 Days. The delightful bright
colors and interesting varied shapes of this improved small
fruited mixture will add a nice touch for fall decorations. It
includes Orange, Pear, Apple, Crown of Thorns, bicolor and
striped types, spoon, warted varieties and others. Little Guys
includes a greater variety selection than competing
mixtures.
RGS111 Seed Saver's Mix
The finest mix of small-fruited ornamental gourds available to
gardeners. Guaranteed not to disappoint. Excellent formula
mixture that includes Cou-Tors Hative, Orange Warted, Ten
Commandments, Nest Egg, Flat Striped, Striped Pear, Orange Ball
and Warted Gourds. Moneymaker for roadside stands and
farmers’ markets during Halloween and Thanksgiving.
90-100 days.
RGS127 Seed Saver's Warted Mix
A premium mixture of well-warted 3-4 ounce fruits. Good range
of colors and many multicolors. Sturdy stems, long keepers.
90-100 days.
RGS114 Johnny's Harrowsmith Mix
This handsome selection of mixed gourds was developed by Jim
Harvey, a grower and Johnny's customer from Massachusetts. A
mix of mostly warted pears, dumplings, patty pans, cheeses and
other shapes in a diverse range of colors. Mr. Harvey
continually refined and selected Harrowsmith over a 20 year
period until he arrived at the wonderful mix we now offer.
Kudos and thanks to Mr. Harvey.
1A241 Rupp's Galaxy of Stars F1 Mix
An exciting new Rupp hybrid gourd mixture developed by our
Plant Breeder, Duane Bell. Galaxy of Stars are in the shape of
a 5 point star, with many colors and can be mechanically
washed. An excellent opportunity to have an entire new gourd
product for table decorations this year.
RGS140 Harris Lunch Lady F1
A new additon from Harris Seed. 100 Days. Here is a
large-fruited gourd that will make a terrific addition to your
fall ornamental gourd offering. Large, vigorous vines produce
unique, large warted gourds that can weigh from 5-20 lbs each.
It produces an array of fruit sizes, shapes and colors, all
with hard shells and warts. A perfect fall novelty product for
roadside and farmer’s market sales.
The sponges are very versatile in that they can be used for bathing, washing dishes or scrubbing. The Loofah is widely used for bathing to invigorate the skin as well as gift giving and crafts.
It is a very fast growing annual that produce vines up to twelve feet or more. I have seen them grow over 20 ft. high in trees and produce dozens of gourds per plant.
When fully matured, you can peel off the dried and crisp outer shell to expose the fibrous sponge. To clean your Loofah you wash it in clean water and then soak it in a solution of bleach and water and allow to dry in the sun. Loofah sponges will last a long time if washed and allowed to dry after each use.
Luffa Seeds
RGS031 Common Luffa Sponge
The ever popular dishcloth, bath sponge gourd. Should be grown
on trellis.
RGS104 Thai Angled Luffa
The popular vining okra of the Orient. Many swear that it is
the best tasting of all fried vegetables. The young, ridged
fruit can be used raw in salads, boiled, stuffed, pickled, and
is delicious in soups. This squash-like edible is so good!
Seeds are from from Bangkok, Thailand.
RGS146 India Globe Hybrid ( Lagenaria siceraria )
This hybrid gourd is developed by a leading seed company in India. Fruits in flat and round shape can be harvested at small size as well as full size (1.5 - 2 Lb.) stages for cooking and eating. White soft flesh is very tender and delicious, suitable for stir-fry and soup cooking. Plants are very vigorous and should be well watered in warm summer. This variety begins to produce fruits 50 days after transplanting and continues to bear lots of fruits for a long time. Plants can be grown along supports or on the ground. Mature fruits can be dried for decoration.
RGS147 Extra Long Bottle Gourd Hybrid ( Lagenaria siceraria )
This bottle gourd produces extra long fruits, 3-4 ft. in length and 6-9 Lb. in weight, with light green skin and white flesh. Plants are very vigorous and grow very fast during the warm summer season. It is suggested to grow this variety along supports for getting the cylindrical bottle shaped gourds, although it can also be grown on the ground in open field. Young gourds are often harvested at about 2 ft. long stage for obtaining the best eating quality, while the fully matured/dried/hardened fruits, 3-4 ft. long, are used for making decorative items. An interesting variety for your backyard growing.
JF137 India Long Hybrid ( Lagenaria siceraria )
This high quality hybrid bottle gourd is developed by a leading seed company in India and has become one of the most popular gourds in the markets in India and Southern Asia. The cylindrical shape straight fruit has light green skin, up to 2 feet in length and 5 Lbs. in weight. The plant is very vigorous and prolific in bearing fruits. This variety is suitable for growing all year round in subtropical and tropical areas.
JF138 Green Bell Hybrid ( Lagenaria siceraria )
Green Bell is a new high quality hybrid variety developed by Kaoshung Horticulature Research Center in Taiwan, resulted from ten year's development efforts. Fruits with green skin and white stripes, in bell shape and 1.5 Lb. in weight are very delicious and tasty, excellent for soup and stir-fry. Plants grow very well in subtropical climates, 80-90 F, in full sun conditions. This variety starts to produce female flowers on secondary branches and first fruit harvest can be obtained 70-80 days after transplanting. Plants are vigorous and tolerant to disease attacks. Very productive and easy to grow.
JF135 Snake Gourd Extra Long Dancer ( Trichosanthes anguina )
This is a typical snake gourd native to India and Southeastern Asia. Extra long green fruits, more than 4 ft. long, can be obtained, which like snakes hanged from the plant. This vine plant grows vigorously and is very productive. Young fruits are harvested for cooking in the Orient. For getting the straight fruits, it is suggested to grow this vine plant along trellis and supports.
JF136 Snake Gourd White Glory Hybrid ( Trichosanthes anguina )
This unique snake gourd is a new hybrid developed and introduced recently by a leading seed company in Thailand. White skin fruits are about 38 cm x 3.5 cm in size and 100 grams in weight. Plants grows vigorously in warm climates, suitable for subtropical weather with high rain. This vine plant is very profilic and first fruit picks can be obtained 45-50 days after sowing. This variety is strongly tolerant to disease attacks, easy to grow.
RGS086 Karela Indian Bitter
55 days. The fruit is dark green, about 7 inches long and
uniform in shape. The skin is thick with good teething. Very
productive.
RGS088 Fuzzy Indian ( Tindra )
Bear a profusion of small 2-3 ounce round gourds with soft
hairs on the skin. Very ornamental and delicious for fresh
eating, very tender and tasty.
SSWAF Seedman's Special Seed Cup Starting Kit
Now you can start your gourds just like the large farm growers do!We've combined the best pots for starting gourd seed in with WonderSoil Reground Seed Starting Mix and include plastic markers for each cup so you can keep track of everything!
The grow cups feature bottom slits to promote excellent drainage and strong, vigorous root development. These 4” round by 3 3/4” high pots also feature a top rim to make destacking easier and are designed to fit 4” shuttle or carrying trays.
Made from all-natural sphagnum peat and wood pulp, these
cups are completely biodegradable and may be transplanted
directly into the ground.
These are large growing cups, allowing you to start the
seeds and retain them in the cup until final planting, this is
not true of many smaller grow cups as gourd seedlings can get
very large in a hurry.
For a seed starting medium, we use Wonder Soil Wafers. Wonder Soil is fertilizer-rich dehydrated peat which expands when you add water. One tube of our Wonder Soil Wafers mixed with water will expand into a premium seed starting mix, enough to fill all 20 cups. Its coir-peat mixture with polymers and nutrients allows it to absorb, store and release water so that you have to water your plants much less often than you would with normal potting soil.
While it is great when used for seed sowing, plugs and
transplants, it may also be used for growing flowers and
vegetables in baskets and containers. It is a truly versatile
mix that can be used for growing just about anything. 
After germination, young seedlings face a new battle, the wet soil that can promote fungal grow and "damping off" in areas that do not have good air circulation, or in cases where the disease is common. Young gourd seedlings often have a very high failure rate due to poor germination, or seedlings dying soon after germination when they are exposed to "damping off".
We had the same problems in our greenhouses, until we developed a product designed to overcome these limitations. Our system makes protecting young seedlings a snap, using our exclusive SeedShield Seed Covering enhanced with Dampaide , which is simply sprinkled over the top of the soil ( about an 1/8" thick ) after seeds are sowed.
SeedShield
Seed Covering enhanced with Dampaide allows light
penetration, yet holds moisture in place for seeds, and helps
prevent Damping Off of Seedlings and offers protection against
Fungus Gnats, a common problem with young tiny seedlings.
We include a one cup packet of SeedShield with our
kit.
Each Special Seed Starting Cup Kit contains 20 each 4" grow
cups.
One Tube WonderSoil
1 Cup SeedShield Seed Covering
1 pack of LL825 Plant Labels, 25 ea. 4" white plastic markers
with pencil
Digital Gourds
chart © Dan Dunkin 2003
This chart is used courtesy The Gourd Reserve
New! Jim's Plant Growth Stimulator for Gourds.
Jim has developed this product through years of testing on his farms. This natural, environmentally safe solution will produce amazing results, producing vigorous plants and larger fruits. We highly recommend you do you own trial test ( i.e. spray one plant with solution, next to a plant not sprayed with solution over the length of a growing season ) to fully appreciate how effective this product is.
This is a two part water soluble product that should be mixed 14.75cc of each part ( we provide measuring spoon with solution ) to one gallon of water and sprayed onto the foliage of the gourd plants. It contains Food Grade H202, ( produced by nature ) Gibberellic Acid ( a natural plant growth hormone ), B1 and other plant vitamins, plant hormones, ( made from natural sources ) micronutrients including Boron (B), Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn), Molybdenum (Mo), Sulfur (S) and Zinc (Zn) plus a natural detergent based "sticker" that makes the product stick to the leaves until absorbed by the plant.
This mix will make 16 gallons of solution.
JPAG04 Plant Growth Stimulator for Gourds $14.95
RTP625 Tomato Trellis Clips
A must for serious tomato growers, these white plastic clips form a 3/4 inch circle around stem and trellis line or tomato cage wire. Stems have side openings for ventilation and have a quick release feature that allows you to move them during the year as the plant grows. Use them year after year. Excellent for cucumber and other type vine crops too!Bag of 50 clips $3.95
BK502 Gourds in Your
GardenA Guidebook for the Home Gardener
By Ginger Summit
Paper, 127 pages, 8 x 10, full-color photographs, b&w photographs
Whether you’re a seasoned gardener enchanted with gourds’ lush vines and unusually shaped fruit or a crafter in search of the perfect gourd for a specific project, this easy-to-use primer takes the mystery out of growing them. Largely ignored by most gardening books, gourd plants require specific attention to produce healthy vines and satisfactory fruit. Learn how to identify popular gourd shapes; plan and cultivate your garden; grow, train, and harvest a bountiful crop; control pests and disease with natural remedies; and prepare your gourds for use—in recipes and art projects.
Lists of supplies, a growing calendar, and space for notes
on your own garden conditions make this the complete gourd
source book. A delight to read as well as a lasting
reference, this long overdue guide to the adventures of
growing one of nature’s greatest gifts is an essential
addition to any gardener’s library.
BK102 Decorating Pumpkins and Gourds20 Fun and Stylish Projects for Decorating Pumpkins, Gourds, and Squashes
By Deborah Schneebeli-Morrell
Hardcover, 96 pages, 7 3/4 x 7 3/4, full-color photographs
Pumpkin carving is an easy skill to master. This book, by award-winning artist Deborah Schneebeli-Morrell, contains 20 fun projects for decorating pumpkins, squashes, and gourds, with ideas that will appeal to both children and adults. There are scary faces for Halloween, beautiful centerpieces that will transform any Christmas or Thanksgiving table, and stunning lanterns to light up your home or garden. Each project has easy-to-follow instructions with charming hand-drawn step-by-step illustrations. There are beautiful photographs of all the finished pieces, plus plenty of variations, tips, and techniques to inspire you to create your own decorated pumpkins and gourds.
• Decorating for Halloween is more popular than ever.
• The 20 projects include ideas for decorating gourds and squashes as well as pumpkins, so that you can have wonderful decorations throughout fall and winter.
• Project variations provide extra inspiration and ideas for crafters.
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