Growing Gourds
Growing Gourds is relatively easy in the Top End. If you can grow a pumpkin, you can grow a gourd vine, all that's needed is space (although gourds can be grown in a small area by taking the tip out of the main vine when it reaches 1.8 to 2.4 metres or you can grow them on a fence or trellis or simply on the ground).
The best time to plant here I've found, is coming into the build up (around late September-October) as they seem to thrive on the extra moisture in the air.(discovered through experience) On the other hand, in order to get good thick shelled gourds the fruit need as long a growing time as possible. We tried growing them in the dry season (May-October) but didn't have a great deal of success. Because we didn't do well definitely doesn't mean it can't be done!
Extremely Fast Growing
Gourd plants can flower in the day (Cucurbitaor - ornamental gourds) or at night (Lagenaria - thick hard shelled gourds).
I've found it's best to pollinate the flowers by hand to ensure fruit setting and I prefer to grow the night bloomers so that I get good shells. So... every night around midnight out I go torch in hand and do the deed!
Gourds are ready for harvest when the stems dry and turn brown and should be cut from the vine with a few inches of stem attached (this helps to protect the drying gourd from disease and rot), alternately they can be left to completely dry on the vine.
In the Northern Territory gourds take approximately 3 to 4 months to grow before they are ready to harvest and if unaided, a further 2 - 6 months to dry depending on the thickness of the shell.
I've found it's best to pollinate the flowers by hand to ensure fruit setting and I prefer to grow the night bloomers so that I get good shells. So... every night around midnight out I go torch in hand and do the deed!
Gourds are ready for harvest when the stems dry and turn brown and should be cut from the vine with a few inches of stem attached (this helps to protect the drying gourd from disease and rot), alternately they can be left to completely dry on the vine.
In the Northern Territory gourds take approximately 3 to 4 months to grow before they are ready to harvest and if unaided, a further 2 - 6 months to dry depending on the thickness of the shell.