How to grow Gourds?
- Latin Family: Cucurbitaceae
- Ease of Growing: Easy
- Growing Type: Annual
Gourds are related to squash, melons, and cucumbers and come in many shapes, colors and sizes. Gourds are cultivated for a variety purposes in many parts of the world, although not all are edible. Some varieties make great utensils of many functions; containers, dippers, napkin rings, small boxes, birdhouses or even planting containers. Some are edible and are eaten when young and tender, similar to summer squash. Others are purely ornamental taking intriguing unique forms.
Gourds History
Whether True Gourds, Angled Gourds or Edible Gourds, all of these squash relatives are from the Old World and the New World, but they all need similar conditions: a long season of hot weather and a rich soil. Evidence of Gourd cultivation dates back to at least 4200 years ago in Egypt.
Soil Preference
- PH (min/max): 6.0 - 7.0
- PH Ideal (min/max): 6.3 - 6.5
Gourds prefer rich, fertile soil with plenty of added [organic matter]. These are hungry plants and do best in a soil that is loose, moisture retentive and well-structured. They dislike saline or [acidic] soils.
How to care for Gourds?
The vines are best grown up a strong support like a fence or sturdy trellis. These are vigorous and robust plants and if they are well fed and watered they can compete with almost any plant.
Water
The plants need an evenly moist soil for maximum productivity. The best way to water Squash is in the morning with a soaker hose or drip irrigation, as wet foliage can easily lead to fungal diseases, especially with cooler nighttime temperatures.
Water moderately early in development and heavier after fruits form.
Fertilizer
High [nitrogen]. Moderate [potassium]. [Moderate phosphorous]. Gourds have a very vigorous root system, which may go down 6' in its search for nutrients.
Seeds
Seed Viability: 4 - 5 Years
Germination Percentage: 75.0
Save seeds by opening a fully mature gourd and separating the seeds from the pulp. Let seeds dry on a cloth or screen and store in a well-ventilated, cool, dry place.
Light
Sun: min. 6 hours daily
Full Sun.
Conditions:Warm, Hot
Season:Short Season, Long Season
Storage
Carefully rinse in a 9:1 bleach solution and hang in a warm, dry location until the seeds rattle, usually 3 to 4 weeks. Once dried, you can keep them for years.
Storage Req: Drying
Storage Temp: 60-70°F
Storage Length: 180-360 days
Problems
Powdery Mildew
If you live in a moist area, your squash plants may be badly affected by Powdery Mildew. If white dust-like spots begin to appear on your squash leaves, chances are likely it's Powdery Mildew. Powdery Mildrew is a fungal disease, spread through the wind. Keeping your plants protected is difficult, so acting quickly is a good way to ensure you get a good harvest!
Dealing With Powdery Mildew: You can spray the leaves with a homemade mixture of 1 tsp baking soda and 1 quart water. Or, if plants are large enough, remove the infected leaves from the garden. Do not use these leaves in your [compost]! It will only spread more disease!
Gourds Types
- Lagenaria
- Cucurbita
- Luffa
Lagenaria gourds are native to the old world tropics. The fruits come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes and can get a lot bigger than the other types. They have thick, hard shells and have been dried and used as bottles, dippers, birdhouses and musical instruments.
Cucurbita gourds are native to the Americas and closely related to squash and pumpkins. They include the familiar types used as fall decorations, which come in a variety of colorful shapes and may be patterned, striped, crooked, round, smooth or warty. Some types are edible when small and immature, though generally they are not as tasty or productive as the food types.
Luffa gourds differ from the other types in that they are slower growing, less vigorous and don't produce a hard outer shell. They are valued for their tough fibrous interior, which can be cleaned and used as a sponge. The immature fruits are edible and may be used like squash.
Pests
- Deer
- Leafhoppers
- Leafminers
- Squash Vine Borers
- Thrips
- Tomato Hornworm
- Wireworm
- Tarnished Plant Bug
- Blister Beetle
- Squash Bug
- Mealybug
- Cucumber Beetle
- Gophers
- Nematodes
- Aphids
Diseases
- Anthracnose
- Mosaic Virus (Several species)
- Bacterial Wilt
- Damping Off
- Downy Mildew
- Angular Leaf Spot
- Alternaria Blight
- Black Rot
- Powdery Mildew
Related Plants
Ground Cherry
Squash, Summer
Okra
Eggplant
Tomatillo
Squash, Winter
Gourds
Melon
Peppers
Pumpkin