Allotments 4 All
Produce => Non Edible Plants => Topic started by: zaz283 on March 27, 2011, 09:19:44
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Trying them for the first time... look so attractive I'm thinking of bowls, bird houses etc etc. Has anyone tried growing gourds and got some words of wisdom to share?
Thanks, John
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Unless they are the small ornamental ones they will need some protection... a greenhouse or poly to produce large and hardened fruit.. :-X
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It is not warm enough in the UK to do the bird house/bottle gourds which harden off in the heat of the sun to get to the state that they get in hot countries.
However you can do it under polythene or in a greenhouse. If you are careful because too much humidity will rot them,
You need to decide what you want to use the gourd for.
Yes there are decorative gourds which look great on a fruit dish and make lasting Christmas decorations (but are not edible) over winter. Lidl sell the seeds and they grow well but take up a lot of space for growing. Although it may be recouped from florists who may be prepared to pay well for these decorative items.
If it is for a personal challange then go ahead and try.
If you want to make bottles or musical instruments from the gourd shells then you are setting yourself a real challange in the UK.
The area has to be hot but not humid. Most British Summers are too wet.
California has the right climate
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Thank for the advice saddad and zigzag. I've gone out and bought myself a polytunnel, in part to make sure I now have the right environment... but also 'cause it seemed such a bargain. Will be making sure the frame is seriously fixed down!
You can see what I've bought at the link below. Thanks, John
http://allotmentheaven.blogspot.com/2011/04/walk-in-polytunnel.html