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Harvesting & Curing
Crafting Birdhouses
Decorating Birdhouses
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Here is some helpful information on growing birdhouse gourds in a zone 5/6
area:
Growing Birdhouse Gourds
Growing Gourds
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Birdhouse Gourds,
Lagenaria siceraria (also known as Bottle Gourds) are the seeds most
commonly used for gourd birdhouses. They require a full growing season,
100-120 days. The vines grow 25 ft. long and longer, and usually produce
10-12 gourds per vine. Vines can be trellised up, keep in mind that each
gourd can easily weigh 10 pounds.
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Start indoors 4-5 weeks
before expected last frost date. In this area that would be the third week
of April. Start in peat pots so there is little disturbance to the roots
upon transplanting outside. Keep moist and give plenty of light.
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Gourds need a lot of sun and
a lot of room. Gourds are usually grown in ‘hills’ of well composted fertile
soil. You can dig a hole about 12” deep, pour in some composted manure and
top off with good potting soil. Plant seeds about 3” deep and cover with
soil. Water in the morning so leaves are dry at night to help prevent leaf
mildew. Water well throughout the growing season. Do not fertilize again or
you will get more vine than gourds.
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Gourds have male and female
flowers. The female is distinguished by the bulb at the base of the flower,
resembling a tiny gourd. You will get more gourds if you hand pollinate the
female flowers by using a Q-Tip to get the pollen from the male and
generously dusting the female flower’s interior. Male flowers generally
bloom 2 weeks prior to the females. The females only bloom for about one
day.
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If growing gourds on the
ground, it is best to put hay or straw underneath to prevent rot. You can
also use a wooden board to give the gourd a nice flat bottom. If trellising,
you may want to help support the gourds using pantyhose legs or net bags
(like onion bags)
A picture of the male and female flowers:
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