GOURD

Apple, Large  (120 days)  This variety is shaped like an apple,  4 to 7-1/2 pound fruits (5inches wide x 7 inches tall)

#657   Packet   $3.50,  Approximately 30 seeds
#B1z-657    Bulk seed   1oz $ 17.50
#B4z-657    Bulk seed   4oz $ 37.50
#B1-657    Bulk seed   1lb  $109.50, Approximately 2500 seeds

Baby Bottle (100 days)  Small version of the bottle gourd at 2 x 4 inches

#4810   Packet   $4.50,  Approximately 20 seeds
#B1z-4810   Bulk seed, 1 oz   $29.50
#B4z-4810   Bulk seed, 4 oz   $72.00
#B1-4810   Bulk seed, 1 lb   $197.50, Approximately 6000 seeds

Bottle or Bird House (110 days)  Used for cups, bottles and bird houses.  Slender neck and bulbous base.  Dries to a tan color.

#541   Packet   $3.50,  Approximately 30 seeds
#B1z-541    Bulk seed   1oz $13.50
#B4z-541    Bulk seed   4oz $32.00
#B1-541    Bulk seed   1lb  $102.50, Approximately 2500 seeds

Bowl (120 days) Dry  this variety for decorative bowls or baskets.  Round , flattened fruits

#542   Packet   $3.50,  Approximately 10 seeds

Bushel (125 days)  30-50 pound fruits dried for large baskets.

#687   Packet   $3.50,  Approximately 15 seeds
#B1z-687    Bulk seed   1oz $16.50
#B4z-687    Bulk seed   4oz $40.00
#B1-687    Bulk seed   1lb  $139.50 , Approximately 2500 seeds

Dinosaur (Cave Man's Club, Maranka) (125 days) A ribbed and wrinkled version of the dipper gourd.

#543   Packet   $3.50,  Approximately 30 seeds
#B1z-543    Bulk seed   4oz $16.50
#B4z-543    Bulk seed   4oz $39.50
#B1-543    Bulk seed   1lb  $139.70, Approximately 2500 seeds

Dipper (120 days)  Long neck and round blossom end.

#544   Packet   $3.50,  Approximately 30 seeds
#B1z-544    Bulk seed   1oz $18.50
#B4z-544    Bulk seed   4oz $44.50
#B1-544    Bulk seed   1lb  $109.50 , Approximately 2500 seeds

Egg (90 days)  Small gourd shaped like an egg.

#545   Packet   $4.50,  Approximately 20 seeds

  Luffa (Dishcloth) (115-130 days)  Fruits are grown and dried to make luffa sponges.  To do so, merely soak the dried fruit in water to remove the skin.  The interior is the sponge, used for exfoliating the skin and for scrubbing dishes.

#656   Packet   $4.50,  Approximately 30 seeds
#B1z-656    Bulk seed   1oz $14.50
#B4z-656    Bulk seed   4oz $39.50
#B1-656    Bulk seed   1lb  $107.50 , Approximately 5000 seeds

Mini Red Turban (120 days)  Small green, yellow and red striped turban.  Similar to Turk's Turban, but smaller.

#3588   Packet   $3.50,  Approximately 30 seeds
#B1z-3588    Bulk seed   1 oz $10.50
#B4z-3588    Bulk seed   4 oz $30.50
#B1-3588    Bulk seed   1 lb $65.00 , Approximately 6000 seeds

Shenot Crown of Thorns or Ten Commandment Gourd (95 days)  Small multi-colored variety with 10 fingers pointing toward the blossom end.

#547   Packet   $3.50,  Approximately 30 seeds
#B1z-547    Bulk seed   1oz $10.50
#B4z-547    Bulk seed   4oz $45.50
#B1-547    Bulk seed   1lb  $117.60 , Approximately 2500 seeds

  Small Gourd Mix  (85-90 days)  A mix of the best of the small varieties:  warted, smooth and dipper handled.

#768   Packet   $3.50,  Approximately 50 seeds
#B1z-768   Bulk seed, 1oz   $12.50,
#B4z-768    Bulk seed   4oz $28.50
#B1-768    Bulk seed   1lb  $77.50, Approximately 8000 seeds

Snake (85 Days)  These long smooth pale green skinned gourds grow up to 4 feet long and can be eaten like summer squash, or dried for decorating.

#1002   Packet   $3.50,  Approximately 10 seeds

  Spoon Mix (85 days)  Small colorful spoon shaped gourds.

#4200   Packet   $3.50,  Approximately 20 seeds
#B1z-4200   Bulk seed, 1oz   $10.50,
#B4z-4200   Bulk seed, 4oz   $25.00,
#B1-4200   Bulk seed, 1lb   $65.00, , Approximately 7000 seeds

Turkish Turban or Red Turban (100 days)  Actually a buttercup-type squash, but it more often used for decoration than for eating.   Red cap and silver button.

#548   Packet   $3.50,  Approximately 30 seeds
#B1z-548    Bulk seed   4oz $10.50
#B4z-548    Bulk seed   4oz $25.50
#B1-548    Bulk seed   1lb  $65.50 , Approximately 2000 seeds

Warty Mix (90 days)  Very unusual mix with a variety of shapes and sizes, all warted.  Special selection blending the best of the warted types.

#3582   Packet   $3.50,  Approximately 20 seeds
#B1z-3582    Bulk seed   1oz $25.00
#B4z-3582    Bulk seed   4oz $55.00
#B1-3582    Bulk seed   1lb  $168.00, Approximately 3000 seeds

Autumn Wings Mix (90 days)  Blend of small, medium and large winged spoon gourds. Wide array of colors.

#12360   Packet   $3.50,  Approximately 20 seeds
#B1z-12360   Bulk Seed, 1oz   $36.50,
#B4z-12360   Bulk Seed, 4oz   $80.50,
#B1-12360   Bulk Seed, 1lb   $225.00,  , Approximately 7000 seeds

CULTIVATION

The term 'gourd" actually includes several different plants belonging to different genera inclusing Curcurbita, Lagenaria, Tricosanthes,Benincases, Luffa, Cucumis, and Coccinia.  Many of these plants are very ornamental with weird shapes, textures and colors, and are mostly used as decorations when ripe or dried, although many of them are edible.  Most varieties are vining plants bearing several fruits on each vine, but there are bush varieties as well.  Gourds can be grown by allowing the vines to trail on the ground, or by allowing them to run on a fence or trellis.  Many of the stronger stemmed varietes are suitable for growing on arbors. 

Gourds are easily grown from seed planted directly outdoors or by growing transplants.   FOR TRANSPLANTS:  Sow seed in pots or trays, allowing 3-4 square inches of soil per plant 4-5 weeks before the desired date to plant outdoors.  Keep moist at 75-80F.  When the plants have two true sets of leaves, they can be transplanted into the garden.  4-7 days before transplanting, reduce water, fertilizer and temperature to harden off the plants.  Transplant into the garden when soil has warmed to 60-70F- gourds are cold sensitive and need warmth to thrive.  Optimum growing temperatures are between 80-85F.  (Row covers can be used to help hold in heat if transplanted in cooler temperatures.). Transplant to a location in full sun.  Prepare the area by digging and working in a generous amount of compost, humus or well rotted manure.  Gourds are heavy feeders and require  a rich soil.  Planting depends on variety and growth habit.  For bush and small fruiting types, plant one seedling every 18 inches in rows 24-36 inches apart.  For vining or large fruiting types, plant one seedling every 24-36 inches in rows 24-36 inches.  Take care not to disturb roots when transplanting. 

Plant by row method or hill method.  ROW METHOD;  Plant in an area in full sun.  Prepare the soil by working in generous amounts of compost, peat moss, humus, leaf mold or well rotted manure.  Sow 1-2 seeds every 9-12 inches in rows 18-36 inches apart.  Cover to 1/2 - 1 inch depth.  Keep well watered until germination.  Cultivate to keep weeds down.
HILL METHOD :  Prepare soil as above.  Sow 3-4 seeds every 24inches in rows 24-36 inches apart.   Cover to 1/2 - 1 inch depth.  Keep well watered until germination.  Cultivate to keep weeds down.

HARVEST:  Gourd rinds harden as the fruits mature.  For use as decoration, cut the fruits from the vines when the stems have begun to dry.  For a longer period of use and to preserve the colors, fruits can be coated with a thin layer of floor wax.  For dried gourds (for use as dippers, bird houses, etc.), harvest the fruits when the vines have been killed by frost in the fall, then hang the gourds or store them in a cool dry place for further drying.  When thoroughly dry, they can then be cut or shaped and used as storage containers, bird houses, etc.  Your imagination is the limit.

PRESERVING:  Thin shelled varieties will turn brown and become lighter as they dry.  Hang the picked fruits for further drying.  Thick shelled varieties take a longer drying period and care should be taken to keep them in an area that has good air circulation until dry.

SEED SPECS:  Average seeds per pound: varies by type,  given above in description

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