Calabash Gourd Crop

[scotties22]

Since there seems to be quite a few of us trying to grow a crop of gourds this year I thought I would start a dedicated thread.

Here is the plant I have on my patio in a whiskey barrel (I live in the city and ain't got no room). I germinated the seed a month ago. It spent 2 weeks inside in my kitchen window and has been outside since Mother's Day. I do have 3 plants going in the ground at my sister's farm next week....pictures to come.



You boys in Michigan might not have enough time in the growing season left if you didn't start your seeds a few months ago. It takes over 150 days for the gourds to mature.....just saying.

Good luck and show me your pictures.

[Charl]

Wow, Scottie, looking good!

[pipedreamer]

good job, no bugs.

[scotties22]

I have to confess that my husband is an expert gardener. We own a landscape company and it is way more than his hobby in his down time. Our yard is rediculously landscaped...I'll take some pictures after it stops raining. I grew up in my grandma's garden and usually plant tomatoes and jalapenos in my two little barrels. I am prepared for bugs...and worms....and little girls named Dillan who like to pick flowers

[E.L.Cooley]

Nice Scottie I have some seeds and a good size greenhouse. A must have in wyomings short michigan like growing season. But, with the job hunt/house on the market. I have had to put all of that on hold. I'd appreciate as much posting as you have time for through this process as most likely next spring I expect to find myself in a more forgiving climate.


Sent from my banana phone.

[scotties22]

Something I forgot to mention in the op is the drying process. There is a bit of information in the book from one of the growers in South Africa. It is in no way complete. Last fall I wanted something to practice on and found a few gooseneck gourds at the grocery store. Of the 3 I bought only 1 made it through the entire drying process. It is huge, but I do plan on making a pipe out of it....as soon as I run across a block that is big enough .

Experimentation is needed to find the process that will work for you. Even if you grow gourds this year I would strongly recommend finding a few locally to practice on.

[E.L.Cooley]

That company that makes the meer bowls, says you can custom size the overall diameter to fit your needs?


Sent from my banana phone.

[Alden]

I'm afraid the gourd you have now has too much airspace to be enjoyable unless you fill most of that room with a huge bowl.
On the other hand, that sucker looks like it would make a hell of a Bong !
With a bong though, the bowl is removable to clear all the smoke out. I think thats the issue you will have with this gourd, there is so much airspace that your smoke will be sitting in the gourd getting stale, you will never be able to sip enough smoke out to keep it fresh.
Thats my theory anyway YMMV.

[scotties22]

I have actually given that quite a bit of thought. Still don't know what I am going to do. I keep meaning to take it with me to a GKCPC meeting so Anthony Harris can take a look at it. He will know how much I need to cut it down, or not, to make the chamber the right size.

[Charl]

I know of only 2 guys over here that still does it. The art is dying out.
One guy does a decent job, but only a very limited number and only on request.
The other have his in tobacconists all over SA, but the quality is not that great.

[mightysmurf8201]

My sister started the seeds last week for me. Keep us posted Scottie!

[scotties22]

Three weeks in and I have a gourd!!! There are also a dozen more coming on. I had to deal with a bit of leaf spot early last week, but nothing major.

[Charl]

Keeping my fingers crossed, Scottie!

[LatakiaLover]

Scottie... we know what you are doing, OK?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEStsLJZhzo

[scotties22]

Hahahaaa......I just about choked on my dinner! That'll teach me to watch something you post while I'm eating.

[socrates]

Scottie... we know what you are doing, OK?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEStsLJZhzo

Creepy movie! Wouldn't eat Cucumbers or even go near them for years lol.

[scotties22]

Quick update picture. I have 6 gourds that are at the same spot as these two. Four more I will start bending tomorrow.

I had to go back to my roots and use some Hill Billy ingenuity to get the bend started And yes, it is a HUGE pain in the ass to adjust the string every day

[RadDavis]

I thought George said the "shaping them as they grow" stuff was an old wives tale!

Rad

[scotties22]

Just the peg board part. They just propped them up in the field with dirt. Since I'm growing mine in a barrel I had to get creative I did have one that just happened to end up bent from the beginning.

[Charl]

Thanks, Scottie! Keep us posted