Kingdom: Plantae; Division: Magnoliophyta; Class: Magnoliopsida; Order: Cucurbitales; Family: Cucurbitaceae; Genera: Lagenaria, Cucurbita and Luffa.
Gourds
Gourds are one of the many plants in the Cucurbitaceae family which
includes squash, pumpkin, melons and cucumber. Gourds are often used in
crafting and many native cultures have used them for various purposes,
including bottles, bowls and musical instruments. Gourds are not
usually used for the food properties, but some species, mostly from
Asia, are.
There are three major genera of gourds:
Lagenaria siceraria or Hardshell gourds are night blooming
with white flowers which resemble tissue paper. They are pollinated by
moths who are numerous in the night sky. They are the most common gourd
used for crafting. There are only 6 species, but many varieties.
Cucurbita pepo or Ornamental gourds are daytime bloomers with
large orange flowers. They are pollinated by bees who prefer to fly in
the day. They are used mostly as table decorations, but to keep those
beautiful colors they are often sprayed with a clear finish. The finish
does not allow them to breath, so they rot quicker. They are sometimes
used in crafts, but they should not be finished for crafts. For this
reason, it is best to use ones from your own garden. This genus also
includes pumpkin and many squash.
Luffa gourds are day bloomers as well, with
orange flowers. Once they are dried, their skins can be peeled and the
remaining sponge be used for a cleaning devise. Many people have these
in their bathrooms. There are at least 4 species of Luffa.
Luffa Gourds
Other Species. There are other species of the Cucurbitaceae
family that are called gourds. These include the following species:
Buffalo or Coyote Gourd (Cucurbita foetidissima), Bitter Gourds,
including Balsam Apple, Balsam Pear and Bitter Cucumber (genus
Momordica), Wax Gourd (Benincasa hispida), Snake Gourd (genus
Tricosanthes), Teasel Gourd (Cucumis dipsaceus), Malabar Gourd,
Fig-Leaf Gourd, Angora Gourd (Cucurbita ficifolia), Chayote (Sechium
edule) and Turks Turban (Curcurbita maxima).
Tree Gourds or calabash are not a member of the Cucurbitaceae
family. There are two species of tree gourds: Crescentia cujete and
Crescentia alata.
Growing Gourds
Gourds will grow in most places and are very easy to grow.
Ornamental gourds have a shorter growing season and hardshell gourds a
longer season. In general gourds like full sun (at least 6 hours per
day), slightly acid soil and regular watering. It is best to use a good
thick layer of mulch to keep the weeds down. Too many weeds can weaken
your gourd, making them more susceptible to problem bugs.
Drying Gourds
You should dry your gourds before using them for crafts. Gourds
should dry on the vine as long as possible. If cut off the vine too
soon they will not completely dry and will rot. Watch the stem. When
the stem is brown and dead looking, then it is time to harvest.
Once your gourds are harvested they will need to be cured before
use. This will completely dry them, so they can be used for your craft.
This process usually takes several months. Let them sit for several
months in an out of the way area. If they get wet, or cold, this is
alright, and adds to their beauty. When you pick up your gourd and can
hear the seeds rattling around inside and it feels light, then it is
ready.
Mold!
During the curing process your gourd will mold. The outside will get
a coating of mold. This is good. This mold is what gives the gourd its
beauty. You will usually want to wash it off before crafting though. Be
sure to wear gloves, goggles and a face mask to protect yourself.
Remember, safety first!
Gourd Birdhouses
Utilitarian Gourds
Gourds are often used as utilitarian devices such as bowls or
bottles. Often art and function are combined to create beautiful
utilitarian art. Gourds have been used for thousands of years as
musical instruments, bowls, spoons and many other devices. These items
are often beautiful and have some ritual significance.
Kitchen
In the kitchen there are so many different items that gourds can be
used for. You can make a bottle, a vase, spoon, dipper, basket, utensil
holder, bowl, or a number of other projects.
Bird Houses
Commonly the Birdhouse Gourd is used for birdhouses, but there is no
rule saying that you can't use other gourds. Apple gourds make nice
birdhouses as do many other varieties.
Musical Instruments
There are a number of musical instruments from around the world that use gourds. Here is a small selection of them:
Sitar
Sitar
This is a string instrument that uses a gourd called toomba as a
resonating chamber. Sitars are used primarily in the music of India,
Pakistan and much of Persia.
Maraca
Many maracas are made from gourds. The dried gourd is filled with
seeds or pebbles to give it the musical sound. Commonly heard in Latin
American music and found in many children's toy chests.
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