Dear Carolyn,
Every time I cut a gourd open with the intentions of using the top as a lid, it never fits back on properly. It always seems to be too small. Any ideas?
Linda
Check out the middle pot. Even lashing this lid on couldn't save it. A fine blade would have allowed a tighter fit.
Hi Linda,
This is a common problem with a simple solution. First, always use fine blades for cutting lids, doing puzzle pieces or anything that you want to fit snugly back into the body of the gourd. Coarse blades are not for lids as they remove too much of the gourd and leave a wide seam
as you can see in the above picture.
Refrain from sanding the edges, as this once again will cause too much gourd material being removed. These suggestions should help your gourd having a tighter fit. Carolyn
A perfectly fitted lid. This lacework gourd was created by Vicki Beard, artist, master gardener, teacher & city councillor.
Dear Carolyn,
I came across your website quite by accident, but am really enjoying browsing through it. Such a wealth of information - even if I do live in Iowa! I finally printed off all the newsletters and put them in a notebook. Thank you for sharing.
The question that I have is related to gourd thickness. I am new to growing gourds; however, my first two seasons have produced very thin-walled gourds making it difficult to work with them without them cracking. What am I doing wrong?
LuAnne Nielson
This gourd has a very thin shell and is even starting to collapse.
It could have been pollinated too late in the season so it did not have enough time to reach full maturity.
Dear LuAnne,
I know from personal experience the disappointment of ending up with thin walled gourds that are unusable. Some of the factors that cause this are in your control; other factors are not. Here are a few tips which may help you.
1.) Genetics – If your seed is inferior there is a chance of having poor quality gourds. Remedy - Buy your seed from a reputable supplier.
2.) Get an early start with your seeds. (See this months grow report in the column at the right.)
3.) Prepare your soil. Add compost and wood ash. Dig in well a couple of weeks before planting.
Preheat your soil by spreading out black plastic.
4.) Ideally hard shell gourds require 50 days of heat over 80 F / 26.6 C so plant in full sun with a southern exposure.
5.) Prune your vines and reduce the number of fruit per vine. It is better to have 4 - 5 perfect gourds rather than 10 poor specimens.
The spring and early summer need to be hot, hot, hot!
A cold, rainy spring – not good at all for gourd growers.
Let us know how you do and good luck with this year's crop.
Carolyn
