From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Georgia

Can long gourds be grown in a large container like a half whiskey barrel? Or is the root system so pervasive that it needs a larger area to grow.

2/2/2020 1:21:59 PM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

I grow 3 or 4 plants in 8' X 30' raised beds, with about a 10' wide ditch between them. I plant one bed one year,then rotate the following year. When I have had to dig holes in the ditch for low hanging gourds, I have hit roots. So I suggest some thing bigger than a half barrel. You might be able to grow them in the barrel,but I assume it would really limit the size.

2/2/2020 6:34:23 PM

Georgia

Thanks for the reply. I have spent the say reading old LG posts, and you have contributed a lot to this forum.

2/2/2020 9:20:17 PM

Pittsburgh, PA

I grow mine in a 16x18 raised bed and have found roots through the whole bed. I don’t think a half barrel is nearly big enough.

2/2/2020 9:23:55 PM

Lakewood, WA

Thank you for posting! My small lg holes last season were puny after reading this thread. Will do better this season!

2/3/2020 1:56:28 PM

Partlow,Va

I agree with Jay. I have seen roots go over 20 feet from the stump. My trellis is 15' X 10'on top and 12' tall. I grow three plants on it. I used to do five but there is not enough room on top for five. They are very aggressive plants. That is a great tip on rotating spots Iowegian! Also set up your trellis where it faces south.

2/3/2020 7:33:19 PM

Georgia

I'll bite. Why South?

2/3/2020 7:52:27 PM

On a cliff in the desert

South is the direction where the sunlight will hit the trellis the most.

2/3/2020 8:00:01 PM

Northern Cambria, Pa.

The root systems are quite unbelievable. I have pulled up roots that were almost 40'long.

2/3/2020 8:04:05 PM

North Pole,Alaska

I may be the only one who has actually seen the entire root system of a long gourd, due to growing aeroponically. A healthy long gourd would be root bound in a full whiskey barrel long before the first female flower opens on a healthy plant. That doesn't mean you can't grow a "nice" one, but it will never reach anywhere near it's potential.

2/3/2020 11:37:44 PM