Hi Nancy,
It is probably too late to get dipper gourds with any length on the handles, however, the weather has been so unusual, it won't hurt to let them go. You may get a few dippers, but, I'm sure you'll agree there are no guarantees when it comes to growing gourds.
I really don't have any answers to your question about the fertilizer, but I don't think its going to help much at this stage of the season.

Jan

I planted them the middle or end of April and out of 10 plants I have 2 that made it..Ants got the rest..They have blossoms now..Maybe there is still hope..Thanks again Jan

i am growing mine a little late as well.i didn't get my seeds untill late and just wanted to see how well they will grow.they are doing good so far but alot of mine are small as well,and maybe i'll get a few that will be alright,we'll just have to have faith that alot will grow or we can just have faith in ourselves,to do better next year and we'll have alot better crop then!!! i used miricale grow and it seems to be doing o.k i never have used fish emulsion.i have however used the whole fish before.i choped up the fish and put it by the plant and it did do what i wanted it to do.made my flowers grow!!! good luck with you'r gourding.

Mine are just beginning to flower too... never seems like I get anything in the ground in time in the spring.

I figure I'm going to polinate as many as I can, maybe I'll get lucky. Sure beats paying SEVEN DOLLARS EACH for them at the fruit stands in the valley.