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Prairie Du Sac Wi

Hello.

I started my gourds a little too early and ended up with a nice one already. It's still growing but slowing down now.

My question is, should I leave it on the plant or should I try to bring it into my basement for storage. With so much time before Oct I'm worried that it will start turning brown and drying out. If it does start to dry can it still qualify for a weigh off?

Thanks for any info!

8/10/2018 9:12:39 AM

Central NY

Leave it on...wait til it stops...if the tip is healthy it will store for a long time before it starts to turn...well past October

8/10/2018 9:28:29 AM

Jericho Vermont

I usually wipe down with a 10% bleach and water solution and store in a dry critter free area. If they have no major issues they will store for a long time, they may lose weight but that doesn’t matter.

8/10/2018 11:52:55 AM

stoughton WI

catond, cedarburg is sept. 15 and kenosha is sept. 22nd

8/10/2018 5:00:46 PM

Sometimes Inn

One consideration to ponder:
It is theorized that the seeds from a long gourd left on the vine for awhile after growth stops will increase the germination rate of its seeds
If there is a worry of the long gourd breaking off, picking it or tying to a support is wise
Good Luck!

8/10/2018 6:03:24 PM

eastern Ontario

To catond -- If it were mine I would leave it on the plant and wipe the whole LG surface with a cloth soaked in a mild fungicide,paying particular attention to the blossom end.

8/10/2018 6:31:12 PM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

When I leave them on the vine, I take extra precautions to make sure the stem doesn't break, letting it hit the ground and break up. I lost a couple good ones that way. I like topot a screw eye in the end of a 2X4, tie it securely to the trellis, then tape the gourd on in several places with electrical tape. I also pound a stake into the ground and tape the 2X4 to that so it doesn't swing in the wind. When you go to harvest it, you should be able to get it down safely. I agree with the bleach or fungicide wipe to keep it in shape a long time.

8/10/2018 10:23:06 PM

Prairie Du Sac Wi

WOW! you guys are awesome! thank you for all the info. I will treat with fungicide and or bleach water. Great minds must think alike cause i have the gourd electrical taped to a board hanging from eye bolts! lol. I also have a board to keep it from swinging! I had one fall 3 days before a weigh off a few years back so im not letting that happen again.

Rick. I am considering the weigh offs you mentioned but its hard for me to get off work. Also my gourd can hitch a ride on my brothers trailer to Nekoosa if all goes well for him and i.

I love the idea that i could get some good seeds to share. I have yet to get any viable seeds. Now i guess i can try to get another one growing on the plant!

thanks guys!

8/11/2018 2:49:15 AM

Sauk City

Don't measure it so that you will be surprised.

8/26/2019 10:13:50 AM