From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Rio Linda

I am very new to the long gourd growing. This is my first season and am starting with a Urena 99. My plants are growing quickly and I am seeing some male buds. When do the females appear. How do you maintain a nice straight gourd if they aren't very high up on the trellis?

6/25/2011 7:31:37 PM

Brooklyn Corner, Nova Scotia

The males always appear first, in my case the females make an appearance late July or early August. If you have a short trellis then you have your work cut out for you. You can dig a hole directly under the gourd or grow it on a slant which is problematic at best.

6/25/2011 9:08:51 PM

nOVA sCOTIA

It is cool inside a hole in the ground.Will the drop in temp slow that gourd?

6/25/2011 9:41:19 PM

Rio Linda

My trellis is about ten foot high. The gourds are already 2/3 the way up the vine. Told my husband we may have to extend the uprights. Am hoping the females will wait to get to the top.

6/27/2011 1:01:45 AM

Mass

I noticed females today, two main vines are close to the top of 13 ft.

6/29/2011 8:21:50 PM

Brooklyn Corner, Nova Scotia

Be patient, I have a few as well, although none will be contenders because of their placement. Late June and you have females, life is good.

6/29/2011 9:41:43 PM

Williamsburg,KY

I believe female flowers appear on the secondary vines. Once your vine reaches about 10 feet, cut the vine and this will make the vine produce side vines where you will get your gourds. At least that is how it is done with other gourds I have grown and Im sure long gourds are the same. If Im wrong, please tell me. Good Luck

6/30/2011 8:14:04 AM

Rio Linda

I have one female I can see. It is on one of the 2ndry vines. Not far enough up to make me happy but hey, it is just one of many I hope! The plants are looking good. Being next to the compost heap kept the soil rich and the worms huge.

7/2/2011 2:15:23 AM

Las Cruces NM

There is plenty of time for females -- as Andy says, be patient. I have a few 3 footers and I'll be culling them for worm food. IMHO later females are the better ones but I'm no expert.

7/2/2011 1:26:11 PM

WNC Usa

I have a few females and they are all near the bottom.

I have no side vines at the top, all at the bottom.

I guess I should cut them off?

7/13/2011 9:26:56 PM