Can someone please tell me WHEN to begin drying my gourds? I've grown gourds for the first time this year and have 10 really great ones (one my husband says weighs about 30 lbs.!) but I don't know When I should begin drying them. I don't want all my nurturing to go to waste. I would very much appreciate any help I can get.
Thanks,
Judy
Judy, if the gourd vines are dying its time to pull the gourds. Drying will take about 6 months. There is nothing that I know of that will reduce the dry time. Set them in a dry place where they will not freeze and let them be. They will grow ucky mold on them as they dry. Just let it be. When the gourds are completely dry you can remove the dried mold by soaking in warm water and scrubbing. Hope this helps. Sheila
I was watching a television program on drying gourds the other day. Tnladyhillbilly covered the basics. I just wanted to mention that the lady on the TV said to wear a face mask if you cut them open (to use as containers, etc) because the molds inside are not good for us to breathe.
Also at the Gourd Forum is an Exchange Page. If you do art with gourds you may want to check it out. The exchange is new but there are a few taking place.
I have to admit the responses made me curious so I looked and didn't see the info you asked for. The answer is the gourds are fully mature when the stem at the top of the gourd begins to curl up. In climates that don't let that happen too often,when the weather begins to get chilly cut them from the plant with a goodly length of vine and allow the vine to die on the gourd.(Sorry about that) In your zone you should not have a problem about them getting mature. You might have a problem about them getting too mature and beginning to rot on the vine.-Sandy
