It is HARVEST TIME! An autumn chill is in the air, and on the fence hang ornamental gourds waiting to be gathered. Their striped colors of bright green and yellow are most attractive. Their foliage has passed its prime and the yellow blossoms are almost gone.
Ornamental gourds are a variety called ovifera of the Cucurbita Pepo species, belonging to the same vegetable family that includes the cucumber, melon, squash and pumpkin. But unlike their cousins, they are not edible and they do possess qualities for drying. Well known varieties of ornamental gourds are the spoon, pear, egg and crown-of-thorns.
Since these gourds are 90 per cent water, they must be gathered before a freeze, and removed from the vines with pruning shears or a sharp knife. Leave attached two or three inches of the stem. The stem is part of the gourd's charm.
Gourds are not as rugged as they seem and can bruise very easily. Decay may begin at the site of the bruise. So, when gourds are picked they should be handled much like eggs, and not just thrown into a container. After they are gathered, scrub them with a soft brush using a strong solution of some non-bleaching disinfectant. (Borax is a good example.) Dry them thoroughly with a soft dry cloth.
Give Them Air
Ventilation is important to drying gourds. Placing them on racks permits free circulation. Racks are easily made by nailing wire screening to wooden frames with props beneath.
The rack with gourds in the
backyard should be placed in a cool, airy room out of strong sunlight - never in a place that is damp with stagnant air! Spread the gourds out so that they do not touch one another. Another "tip" from a ground of collected backyard landscaping ideas.
Several months are required for drying. During this time a light or dark mold often develops on the gourds. Sometimes this is thought to mean that the gourds arc rotting. But it is not so! The mold is normal, and if left on, will produce a mosaic pattern which is quite attractive after the gourd is dried. However if this patterning is not desired, the gourds must be watched constantly and as the mold forms it must be wiped off with a soft damp cloth.
Hard Shells
Ornamental gourds are the most popular for home gardens. But another much-grown one is the hard shell gourd, known as the Lagenaria. It has large white flowers which bloom at night. Its foliage has a more velvety texture than that of the ornamentals, and the vine prefers to climb on trellises where the gourds can hang down. Some varieties of Lagenarias may weigh up to 50 pounds and grow in length from three to four feet. Some of the well-known kinds are the dipper, bottle, caveman's club, and canteen gourds.
Hard shelled gourds are grown chiefly for their shape and size, and not because of their natural color which is solid green. Unlike the ornamentals, these gourds are not harvested until after several light freezes. They can remain out of doors to weather, during the fall months, if the climate is not too severe. After they are thoroughly dried their color changes to light brown, and when shaken, the seeds rattle. Shells of the Lagenarias are durable and are known to last for hundreds of years.
Dried gourds are useful for both practical and decorative purposes. Frequently, they are decorated with quick-drying paints, shellacked, or designs burned on by an electric needle. However, before gourds can be decorated, they must have the outer skin removed. This is a tissue-thin coating, and comes off easily by submerging the gourds in hot water for about five minutes. Scrub the outer-skin off then with a chore-boy or fine steel wool.
Uses
Ornamental gourds, whether smooth or warted, can be painted and sprinkled with sequink to make pretty Christmas tree decorations. Small gourds make good toy penguins, and party favors such as clown heads and small dolls. They also can be used for colorful trim on straw hats.
An attractive door piece, for the holiday season, can be made by attaching gilded gourds to an evergreen wreath or swag with matching bow. A snowman or jolly Santa made from small gourds, is effective when attached to a Styrofoam base. Evergreen sprigs and candles may be added for an unusual centerpiece.
The canteen gourd, or flat-based gourd makes a good dish garden when cut in half. These can be shellacked in natural color or painted. They must be given a coat of melted wax inside before being filled with soil and plants.
