what to do with dried gourds

They're often used in fall cornucopias, as well as carved into luminaries, flower pots, dishes, and more. Meanwhile, the larger hard-skinned gourds from the Lagenaria genus work well for birdhouses, bottles, and ladles. There is no shortcut to drying gourds for crafts.

What can you do with dry gourds?

Wash your gourds in warm soapy water or in a water-vinegar bath in the sink. Dry your gourds completely, and then wipe with a little bit of rubbing alcohol. Make sure you discard any bruised or immature fruit. They won't do anything but rot during the curing process.

How long do dried gourds last?

Turn the gourds every few days to allow all parts of the shell to dry. Gourds are usually fully dry in one to six months, depending on size. If you shake a gourd and hear seeds rattling inside, it's dry and ready to use, reports the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Discard gourds that rot during the drying process.

How do you clean dried gourds for painting?

A cleaning solution of 1 part bleach mixed with 10 parts water is recommended. Dunk the dried gourd in the solution to get it wet all over. With a medium bristle brush or a kitchen scrubby, you can then rub off all the mold and mildew. If it's stubborn, re-dunk and scrub some more.

What kind of paint do you use on dried gourds?

I used acrylic craft paints from the craft store. They generally go on smoothly and cover well in one coat (except white). Gloss paint looks really good on the finished gourd, but can cost twice as much as flat paint. Paint the background or base coat first.

Can all gourds be dried?

Yes, a hard freeze will kill the vines and leaves, but mature gourds will do just fine. Commercial growers don't pick their gourds from the fields until they are fully dry. Gourds are dry when they are very light in weight and the seeds rattle when they are shaken.

Why are my gourds dying?

If pollinated, the little gourds under the female blossoms will turn into actual gourds. If not pollinated, then they will simply shrivel up and die.

Why do Gourds not rot?

The thing that makes pumpkins & gourds rot in the first place is the dirt and mold that they pick up from the fields where they are grown. In order to preserve them and prevent the rotting, that dirt and mold must be removed. So if you've always wondered how to preserve pumpkins easily, here you go!

How do you clean dried gourds?

Step by Step: How To Clean Off Gourd Skin

Fill the washtub with water and add a small amount of bleach. ...
Soak your gourds in the water. ...
If you have sand use a rag and a handful of sand to rub your gourd. ...
Use your scraper to get off any stuck-on skin. ...
Give the gourd a final rinse before it is fully dried.

Can pumpkins be dried like gourds?

Find a dark, cool, dry and well-ventilated place to dry the gourds (damp rooms can cause the gourds to rot). Place them on a wire drying rack for proper air circulation, making sure the gourds do not touch. If possible, use fans to dry them more efficiently. 3.

How do you seal the inside of a gourd?

Melt a block of paraffin wax to prepare to seal the interior surface. As soon as the wax is completely melted, remove the gourd from the oven, and, quickly but thoroughly, paint the inner surface of the gourd with wax. Apply two or three additional coats of wax, allowing the gourd to cool completely between coats.

How do you get mold out of dried gourds?

Dip a rag into a solution of 1 part chlorine bleach and 9 parts water. Alternatively, use rubbing alcohol. Rub the outside of the dried gourd vigorously with the rag to remove any mold on the surface.

What is the best paint to use on gourds?

Acrylic latex and oil-based paints works the best when decorating a gourd. These types of paint come in very vibrant colors and can last for years if used for indoor decoration.

How do you preserve a gourd?

Wipe the gourds dry and spray lightly with a household disinfectant or mist with rubbing alcohol. Space the prepared gourds on a few layers of newspaper in a dark, warm, dry area (such as an attic) with good ventilation. Replace the damp newspaper every few days, turning the gourds when you do.

Do birds like gourd birdhouses?

Gourd birdhouses, although most popularly used for Purple Martins, will also attract other species including bluebirds, woodpeckers, wrens, nuthatches, chickadees, finches and swallows. They can also serve dual purpose as feeders too when the birds are completed with nesting season.

How do you make dried gourds?

Instructions

Harvest the Gourds. If you're harvesting the gourds (rather than purchasing), cut them from the vine, leaving a few inches of stem intact. ...
Wash and Sanitize. Wash your gourds in soapy water, and allow them to air dry. ...
Let the Outside Dry. ...
Cure the Gourds. ...
Rotate Every Couple of Weeks. ...
Check on the Gourds.

How do you know when gourds are ready?

The best way to tell if a gourd is ready to harvest is by look and feel. The vine will begin to die back and the skin of the gourd will be hard and pale. An immature gourd feels fleshy and is bright green.

How long do gourds last after picking?

Curing And Storing Gourds

After the one-week drying process place the gourds in a warm, dark, dry area for three to four weeks. This is the real curing process. After this, decorative gourds keep for three to four months. Adding a coat of wax or paint extends the life of the gourd an additional two months.

Will gourds grow in shade?

Gourds prefer full sun and rich well-drained soil that is rich in organic material. Sow the seeds outdoors after all danger of frost has passed and the weather is warm. ... Gourds grow well on trellises or supports, keeping the fruits off the ground.

What is the best fertilizer for gourds?

Gourds are fertilized the same way as cucumbers and melons. Incorporate 5-10-10 or a similar fertilizer (6-12-12) into the soil at planting, at a rate of 4 pounds per 100 feet of row. When the plant runners are 12 to 18 inches long, fertilize again spreading the fertilizer at least 18 inches away from the plant stems.

Why do gourds turn black?

Inspect Bottle gourd plants regularly. As aphids feed, they leave behind a sticky sap called 'honeydew' that develops sooty mold and then turns black.