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Fri, Jan 4, 08 at 8:57
| Hi all,
This is my first year growing birdhouse and dipper gourds (not to be confused with Tipper Gores). They are drying on my covered porch and are occasionally getting frozen, which I've heard is fine. But I just read the other day that even though the gourds can stand the cold, the seeds cannot, and they probably won't be viable for next year. Have any of you found that some of them can make it through a cold winter (zone 5)? Would I just take a sample next spring/summer and try to sprout them indoors and guestimate what the percentage is? How long would those take to sprout, if they were going to? Thanks. |
Follow-Up Postings:
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| Many seeds are stored frozen, including gourd seeds, and retain their viability for years. Also, many of us dry our gourds on the vine out in the weather so doubt you'll find much problem. If the seeds are rattling loose in the gourd you can go ahead and crack it open, air dry the seeds well indoors, and then store till spring in a paper envelope. They will sprout in 6-10 days in the spring but as gourds need a long growing season, I always pre-start mine at the same time I start my tomato transplants. Then you have a good sized, well established plant to transplant out once the weather warms. Good luck and enjoy your gourds. ;) Dave |
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- Posted by catherinet z5 (My Page) on Fri, Jan 4, 08 at 14:01
| Thanks Dave! |
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