July 19, 2010

GOURDS - LAGENARIA and CURCURBIT GOURD SEEDS,
DEVIL'S CLAWS AND LUFFA / LOOFA SPONGE
AND PUMPKINS, TOO!

from Wuv'n Acres Gardens




GOURD ARTIST LEVI BATTE This excellent vintage photo of Gourd Artist Levi Batte provided courtesy and permission of his daughter; Jan Craven as specified on the photograph displayed. It is not to be copied without express permission by Ms. Craven. Click on image for a larger view of photo.

CHILDREN PAINTING GOURDS Several children from Alaska have a ball with our gourds. Thank you for these wonderful photos, Clarice! Click on image for a larger view of photo.

DIRTY GOURDS 2010 CLEAN GOURDS A few of our hardshelled gourds shown with the typical mold which appears as the gourds mature, and a shot of what they look like after using a bit of elbow grease. Click on image for a larger view of photo.

V Male and female gourd blossoms on a Lagenaria (hard shell) gourd plant. Click on image for a larger view of photo.



Move your mouse cursor over each picture to identify the gourd

APPLE GOURD BUSHEL GOURD SNAKE GOURD CROWN GOURD MARANKA GOURD CORSICAN GOURD LUFFA SPONGE GOURD ORNAMENTAL GOURDS TURK'S TURBAN EGG GOURD MEXICAN CHIP BOWL BY ARTIST LADY GOURDIVA; IVA SLATER
BOTTLE GOURD REGULAR BOTTLE GOURD MINIATURE DIPPER GOURD KETTLE GOURD BASKETBALL GOURD BIRDHOUSE GOURD COYOTE GOURD ZUCCA GOURD SWAN GOURD AUTUMN WINGS GOURD XXX LONG DIPPER & TYSON BEAUTIFUL GOURD BASKET BY LADYGOURDIVA; IVA SLATER

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BEAUTIFUL PUMPKINS...YES, YOU CAN GROW THESE!

PLEASE NOTE: Pumpkin seed packages contain 20+ seeds unless otherwise specified
Each package of 20+ seeds is $2.50 unless otherwise stated.


MUSQUEE DE PROVENCE Cucurbita moschata 20+ seeds $2.50
For those who prefer a beautiful, lovely lobed pumpkin, the Musquee de Provence, also known as the Fairytale Pumpkin, is a wonderful selection. Large pumpkins with a lovely color unlike the bright orange pumpkins typically carved into Jack O'Lanterns, this one will grace your fall display without having to cut it open. Big cheese wheel shape and quite hefty. Halloween burglars will think twice about having to haul these off. Average of 15-20 lbs. per fruit. Matures late after 125 days. Keeps well, great for storage. Each plant typically yields two fruit.


FEMALE GOURD BLOSSOM WITH A BUDDING BABY! PLUCKING A MALE BLOSSOM WITH WHICH TO POLLINATE THE FEMALE BLOSSOM THE MAGIC HAPPENS HERE! OUR BUSHEL GOURD PATCH A FEW YEARS AGO

GOURD SEEDS HARDSHELLED TO PAINT & CARVE

PLEASE NOTE: Gourd seed packages contain 10+ seeds unless otherwise specified beside each item
Each package of 10+ seeds is $2.50 unless otherwise stated.


BUSHEL GOURD 10+ SMALL SEEDS
Though Bushel gourd seeds are typically our largest gourd seed, our own supply has exhausted, and we have had to resort to relying on another seed bank for supply. Oddly enough, the seeds are rather small compared to what we're used to seeing. We may be in for a surprise, hope it's a good one! Hopefully we will produce a good crop this year and will have our regular seeds back in stock soon.

APPLE GOURD LARGE Lagenaria 10+ seeds $2.50
Unique and very charming shape! While form may vary with weight and height, the fruits grown are simply wonderful! Artist Lady Gourdiva; Iva Slater of New Mexico shares what she's done with two of our apple gourds in the photo. Perfect for someone who enjoys apple decor or just a bit of whimsy! Approximately 90 to 100 days to maturity. Full sun.


BOTTLE GOURD Lagenaria 10 + seeds $2.50
Another wonderful gourd if you are hoping for lush vines! Beautiful fruit is often made into birdhouses after it has dried and cured thoroughly. E asy to grow in full sun with well drained soil. Prefers to grown on a trellis but will grow on the ground. Trellising your gourds helps to keep your fruit well formed and free of the troubles caused when growing on wet, soggy ground. You'll love this one!


BOTTLE MINIATURE / SNOWMAN Lagenaria 10+ seeds $2.50
An adorable hardshelled gourd typically 3-4" tall which make a wonderful little snowman, especially for Christmas ornaments you wish to paint. Easy to grow in a small space. They do quite well on a trellis or even in a tomato cage. Approx. 90 days to maturity.


CORSICAN GOURD Lagenaria 10 + seeds $2.50
A unique, cheese or wheel-shaped gourd which is often flat on the top, round and smooth on the sides. Many crafters and artists have fashioned these gourds into purses and other unique boxes with latches. On the next update, I'll see if I can find the picture of one my mother made. In the image shown with the three Corsicans, two dippers and a birdhouse gourd, these are the very gourds from which the seeds you order will come. A good strain, great genetics! A fun gourd!


CUCUZZI / CUZZI / NEW GUINEA BEAN / SNAKE 10+ seeds $2.50
Though most any gourd is edible when young, the Cuzzi makes an especially good choice for eating due to it's similarity in shape to zukes or cucumbers. I prefer to allow mine to grow and would much rather eat zukes, such a shame to waste what could become a truly unique gourd in just 90-110 days + cure time. Makes fun snake shaped gourd shapes which grow quite well hanging from a trellis. Grown on the ground, they tend to curl up. Can be manipulated while growing with pantyhose or strings. Full sun annual requiring space to grow and well drained soil. Sandy soil is a plus!


DIPPER STANDARD Lagenaria 10+ seeds $2.50.
Used for ages as dippers and scoopers, you can grow these with ease in your own yard! Full sun and well drained soil, a bit of fertilizer if you don't mind, and your trellis could be covered with lush heart-shaped leaves next summer! As if the vines and beautiful flowers weren't enough, then come the many fruit which dry like hard wood and can be carved! While any gourd makes a good birdhouse, many gardeners use dipper gourds to add whimsy and charm to their green acres. So easy, so much fun. Great for kids!


MARANKA or FRENCH DOLPHIN / MONKEY Lagenaria 10+ seeds $2.50
This is, to my knowledge, the most interesting gourd in existence! Deeply veined and ribbed, it is often called the Monkey gourd because of it's supposed resemblance to a monkey's rib cage skeleton. Amazing deeply sculptured gourd is quite a conversation piece. At a gourd show several years ago I was able to view in person the work of an artist who cut the handles from the gourd and sliced the Maranka in half lengthwise, then adding a hinge to create a garlic keeper. Most delightful addition to the garden with well drained soil and full sun. Your neighbors most likely won't have this one!


GOURD MIXED FUN PACK Lagenaria, Curcurbita and Luffa 10+ seeds $2.50
If you live in a short season area, or perhaps you are just looking for foliage to cover a structure, trellis, etc. and you don't care what the fruit look like, this is the package for you! A fun mix of whatever we dump into the batch. Big, little, ornamental, hardshelled, you never know what you may grow with this one. Lots of bloopers included for those who love those oddball shapes.


LUFFA CYLINDRICA
10+ seeds 2.50. Not a hard shelled gourd. Also known by the synonym of Luffa aegyptiaca.
A smooth luffa typically used for sponges,
though it does not actually absorb much water as a typical kitchen sponge would.


LUFFA ACUTANGULA
10+ seeds 2.50. Not a hard shelled gourd. Also known as Angled Luffa, Ribbed Sponge Gourd or Chinese Okra.
While either variety of luffa can be grown for luffa or for eating, this is the better choice if you wish
to eat them, as they are more tender when young.





GOURD SEEDS SOFTSHELLED FOR FALL DISPLAYS
Please note that although these are listed as soft shelled, the Angel Wings, Crown of Thorns, some of the Ornamentals, and the Spoon gourd will dry firm and can be crafted as well.

AUTUMN or ANGEL WINGS 20+ seeds $2.50


CROWN OF THORNS 20+ seeds $2.50.


HEDGEHOG GOURD Cucumis dipcaseus 20+ seeds $2.50. Ornamental cutie! Looks like a big castor bean pod with spines and all!


ORNAMENTAL MIX 20+ seeds $2.50. Each fall season, many people find themselves purchasing ornamental gourds for their fall displays, under the impression that they cannot grow their own. Not true at all! Ornamental gourds are very forgiving of lack of attention once the fruit has set on the vine. If you can remember to water the seedling and plant it in full sun, you will be rewarded with many gourds in vibrant colors!

While the ornamental gourds are typically the Curcurbita, (meaning softer shelled gourds) they will often dry firm enough to paint and carve. These gourds were sprayed with a gold paint and left to dry. Aren't they pretty?

Picture these on a wreath for your door in the fall! They will last many years. You will have enough to share with friends and family! In this mixture you may receive seeds from all of the gourds you see above, including some not photographed: Crown of Thorns, Orange, Warty, Bi-color Pear, Coyote / Buffalo, Spoon, Striped Pear, Egg, Angel Wings, etc.

Please note that I have not successfully dried some of the gourds without shrinkage & collapse. The small green striped gourd laying down in the first photo is often referred to as a Spinning or Dancing gourd. Though it can dry, it is a very thin shell and may collapse during drying.


ORANGE 20+ seeds $2.50.


GOURD MIXED FUN PACK Lagenaria, Curcurbita and Luffa 10+ seeds $2.50
If you live in a short season area, or perhaps you are just looking for foliage to cover a structure, trellis, etc. and you don't care what the fruit look like, this is the package for you! A fun mix of whatever we dump into the batch. Big, little, ornamental, hardshelled, you never know what you may grow with this one. Lots of bloopers included for those who love those oddball shapes.


SPOON 20+ seeds $2.50. These gourds are basically a tiny dipper gourd, excellent for Christmas ornaments, rattles, etc. They are a softer shell than most, but still firm enough to craft and paint. Very easy to grow. Reaches full maturity at approximately 90 days. Requires full sun and well drained soil. Performs well on a trellis or in a tomato cage. Fun for fall displays. At this time, our supply is from another source, so they will be treated. No to worry, just don't eat them.


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GOURD RELATED ITEMS

DEVIL'S CLAW SEEDS - Probo. 10+ seeds $2.50.


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LUFFA / LUFFAH / LOOFA / LOOFAH BATH SPONGE and JOB'S / JOBE'S ROSARY BEADS or TEARS

LUFFA CYLINDRICA
10+ seeds 2.50. Also known by the synonym of Luffa aegyptiaca.
A smooth luffa typically used for sponges,
though it does not actually absorb much water as a typical kitchen sponge would.



LUFFA ACUTANGULA
10+ seeds 2.50. Also known as Angled Luffa, Ribbed Sponge Gourd or Chinese Okra.
While either variety of luffa can be grown for luffa or for eating, this is the better choice if you wish
to eat them, as they are more tender when young.




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