growing forum: seeds - giant african gourd - seeds
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| maybe this will help. http://www.americangourdsociety.org/fun/training.html Training Gourds by Jim Story Try your hand at altering the shape of your gourds You can alter the shape of your gourds by various means while they are growing. I am not an expert but I am glad to share what I know from personal experience. Try one of these methods and see how it works for you. FLAT GOURDS This can be done with forms made of Plexiglas, plate glass or wood. Cut two pieces in the desired size and drill holes in all four comers. Decide on the depth that you want the gourd to be and cut four posts from dowel rods or broom handles. Drill holes through the center of the posts going from one end to the other. Purchase bolts, wing nuts and washers of the appropriate size and length. Assemble the form and it is ready to use. Note: The mold must be neither too large or too small for the gourd that you intend to work with. Place a young gourd inside the mold with the center of the gourd in the center of the form or mold. In just a few days the gourd will be firmly pressed against the mold. The power of a growing gourd is amazing. Gourds will break 3/16" Plexiglas or plate glass. So you see why the size of the mold is so important: too small and the gourd will break the mold. Leave the gourd inside the mold until time to harvest. SQUARE GOURD This is a gourd that is flat on four sides when it is finished growing. Make open ended molds of Plexiglas and fasten together with bolts and wing nuts. Use the same growing method as described above. I have used miniature Japanese Bottle Gourds for this method of shaping and was very pleased with the results. GROWING GOURDS IN JARS Grow a gourd in a jar by simply placing it in the jar and prevent water from entering. Water will cause the gourd to decay. I used crumpled plastic wrap around the opening of the jar. After the gourd has filled the jar, it can be hoisted upwards with twine so the mouth of the jar is pointing down. When the gourd is mature the jar can be removed by wrapping it with cloth and gently tapping with a hammer. It is also a good idea to wear protective goggles when breaking the jar. CORKSCREW HANDLES These gourds should be grown on a trellis. To make a corkscrew handle, select a dipper or snake gourd that is about two weeks old and is growing from the top of the trellis. Prop a broom stick on the trellis at an approximate 30 degree angle and tie it to the top with twine. Very gently and carefully start twisting the young gourd around the stick. Don't try to do this all at once. To hold the gourd in the twisted shape use thick strips of nylon hose tied loosely, near the bottom of the gourd. It may be necessary to drive stakes in a circle on which to tie the nylon that holds the gourd in place. Continue twisting the gourd as it grows and until it becomes too firm to manipulate. It is possible to increase twists two times a day. ROPE TRAINING Simply wrap and tie ropes around the gourds that are about one half to two thirds maximum size. Be creative and see what unusual shapes you can come up with. Be sure to use a firm rope or twine as stretchy material will not give the proper support. TYING A KNOT The only gourd that can be used for this procedure is the long handled dipper. The longer the handle, the better. Start tying the knot the first or second day after bloom. The gourd is already formed on the female blossom at this time. Attempt the procedure during the hottest part of the day when the tiny gourd is more supple. Involve the gourd stem in tying a very loose overhand knot. Do not attempt to tighten it at this time. As it grows the weight of the gourd will tighten the knot. You may need to make adjustment along the way. Knot gourds should be grown on a fence or trellis. Tom Teruo Matsumoto has been successful in tying a double knot, also known as a husband and wife knot. LaVonne http://cubits.org http://cubits.org/gourds/ http://cubits.org/Diabetes/ http://cubits.org/DMEnterprises/store Tahlmorra lujhala mei wiccan (The fate of a man rests always within the hands of the gods) |
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| Well now ain't that interesting? DH will have a fit when I try to stick a gourd in a form! So it sounds like for a twisty snake we need to train them around a broom handle...did I read that right? |
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Lori, my sister does great work with gourds. Her very first one turned out wonderful, oh to have such talent! She has purchased all the necessary things from the Welburn gourd farm and even took a class there. Look up around Dec. 27 on this thread and you will see the apple gourd she made for me for my birthday. My kitchen is all apples so I'm a little obsessed with them right now. I think I will start my gourd seeds inside too. DH made me a small grow light stand and I'm anxious to put it to work soon. I used it a little last year. Life is fragile, handle with prayer. |
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| Wow! How cool is that...I'm not gonna do anything but get myself in more trouble hangin' out here! |
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| Enid...think of it this way...You're in good company!!!~ We are all...GOURDHEADS!! Jo |
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 Candles, flowers, herbs, gourds I am in deep doo doo now  |
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| Gourdheads, Lori. You know you and I really qualify for Gourdheads. I had my snake gourds growing on a fence and hanging down. so they really didn't get a chance to get "snakey" I guess. |
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| Life is fragile, handle with prayer. |
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 Gourdheads |
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| Dorothy was there something wrong with my link? check out my new store Metamorphosis Upcycled/Recycled Glass http://www.facebook.com/MetamorphosisUpcycledRectcledGlass?v... , http://cubits.org/diycomfortheserious/thread/view/35215/#new... |
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nope we just cross-posted, dear heart  LaVonne http://cubits.org http://cubits.org/gourds/ http://cubits.org/Diabetes/ http://cubits.org/DMEnterprises/store Tahlmorra lujhala mei wiccan (The fate of a man rests always within the hands of the gods) |
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| Just got an e-mail from my sister and her second home is now Welburn Gourd Farm where there is a 70% off sale. She sure does love that place. Life is fragile, handle with prayer. |
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| They have some beautiful things and good videos to help you create. |
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