10 Birdhouse Gourd Seeds- Ornamental Calabash Gourd-Leganaria Sicerari----A060
10 Birdhouse Gourd Seeds-Ornamental Calabash Gourd-Leganaria Sicerari--A060
It is known as calabash gourd, bottle gourd or trumpet gourd, birdhouse gourd (Lagenaria sicerari) is a hard-shelled gourd that is often dried and used for a variety of purposes, including containers and useful kitchen tools. The shape of the gourds makes them ideal for creating birdhouses, which are especially attractive to purple martins.
Starting birdhouse gourd seeds indoors: It provides a head start on the growing season. Plant the seeds about four weeks before the last expected frost in your area. Although any container with a drainage hole is suitable, 4-inch peat containers are useful because the pots can be planted directly into the soil outdoors without disturbing the seedling roots. Fill the pots with commercial seed starter mix, then plant two or three seeds and cover them with 1 inch of soil. Cover the pots with clear plastic to keep the soil moist and warm.
Planting seeds indoors isn't necessary in climates with a long, warm growing season. Most gourds require 110 to 120 days from sowing to harvest. Birdhouse gourds produce best when the seeds are planted in hills, or mounds. Make the hills by mounding the soil approximately 4 to 6 inches high and about 12 inches in diameter. Place five or six seeds on the hill, then cover the seeds with 1/2 inch of soil. Birdhouse gourd vines are rambunctious, so allow a minimum of 4 to 8 feet of space between each hill and more for larger varieties.
Caring for Birdhouse gourds: They thrive in a relatively neutral soil pH between 6.5 and 7.5. Water the gourds as needed to keep the soil evenly moist. However, don't water to the point of sogginess, as gourds are susceptible to rot, mildew and other moisture-related problems. Decrease irrigation gradually in August. Stop watering entirely by the end of September, and allow the vines to wither.
How to Grow Gourds are a hot weather crop. They need full sun and deep, rich, well drained, organic soil with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5. Before planting, work in lots of compost. Directly plant seed outdoors in late May to June 2.5 cm (1″) deep in hills 2.4 m (8′) apart with 4-6 seeds per hill. After germination, thin to 3 plants per hill.
Seed can be started indoors 3 weeks before the plant out date. They do not transplant well–use paper or fibre pots that can be set directly in the soil. Protect mature fruits from frost and cold temperatures..
How to prepare gourds for making birdhouses. Harvest gourds after the vine has withered but before frosts occur. Leave a portion of the stem attached. Before starting the curing process wash down the gourd with a sterilizing solution of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water. After that hang the gourds in a warm spot or lay them out on newspaper (turning them frequently). Curing can take anywhere from 3 to 6 months. Sometimes gourds develop surface mold as they dry – this is neither uncommon nor unexpected. If mold does show, wash the gourds with the same sterilizing solution as before. Throw out gourds that wrinkle or develop soft spots during the curing process. Once the gourd rattles when given a good shake it is ready.