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Joliet, IL

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=210265

I grew the 155 bushel gourd in 2013 with no idea what i was getting into. I did end up growing a very uniform 130 pounder shown in pic on above link. I imagine growing similar to a watermelon or pumpkin on ground, would there maybe be and advantage to lift one off ground with slack at say volleyball size and continue to have a strong enough hammock a foot above the ground and eventually let it touch on millfabric or styrofome for great shape and bottom mold prevention as well as being able to put no stress on the stem and vine union as they grow. Just an idea and curious to others thoughts. I wish i had room to try a larger plant and go for 200 plus bushel gourd cuz they are cool.

1/19/2015 8:12:20 PM

Joliet, IL

Here is George J. muscling the 130 i grew in the shade cloth hammock off a fence. A hammock in a field with 4 or 6 suspended anchor points might be ideal.

1/19/2015 8:16:32 PM

Joliet, IL

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=211370

1/19/2015 8:16:49 PM

Joliet, IL

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=211370

The final pic of George muscling it is in my 2013 diary towards the end...i got redirected to different page with my copied link.

1/19/2015 8:28:55 PM

Fuquay Varina, NC

Shazzy, seem like hanging them is the hard way. I just grow my on the ground stem up. Mold protection would be good. Not having a lot of space is a problem. Nice looking Nigerian bushel gourd.

1/19/2015 10:30:15 PM

Williamsburg,KY

I try to place a piece of Styrofoam under the gourd when its small and stand it up right. You do have to watch for stem stress, I cut the anchor roots leading to the stem. The gourd vines will root like pumpkins. In all the years that I have grown gourds, Ive never had bottom rot, but I have had them not be mature enough and then when drying they crack. Gourds are fun to grow. I would like to see what your friend did with that big one???

1/20/2015 8:10:59 AM

Bethlehem CT

Shazzy my back hurts now, after looking at those pictures!

1/20/2015 8:56:18 AM

Joliet, IL

Lol.....it was just something i thought of last night with "few" cold ones. The bigger they are the harder they would be to suspend. My thinking was more along lines of treating like a giant tomato in a hammock but in a larger scale and maybe get some more elongated verticle growth in a suspended state too. Just thinking out loud and throwing it out there.

1/20/2015 4:32:22 PM

sevierville, Tn

I grew mine on a plastic shelf, no rot problems but it does get a flat side like a pumpkin. I guess if you grew it on the blosem end you would get that classic shape. Just keep it off the ground and dry.
How much space do you have? My 270 was grown in 180 sq ft.

1/20/2015 5:16:33 PM

Colorado

Two years ago I grew a 135lber in a sling about 6 feet off the ground.As it got bigger I reinforced sling with a rope and a dog leash.The wife cut it loose while I had a shoulder under it.She had to help me set it on the ground.It was above a rose bush which made setting it down a adventure.I figured it to be around a 100lbs but theyre denser than giant pears.

1/21/2015 12:23:07 PM

Joliet, IL

Funny stuff Joe......if anyone figures out how to dry them successful to make large bowls or drums that would be helpful to those who want to dry them out. I was unsuccessful drying an 80 pounder and the 130 pounder in the above link pick didnt make it either. I have dried many swan neck and bottle gourds but these need special care or drying techniques i would think.

1/21/2015 4:46:33 PM

Joliet, IL

I had George J ready when we cut my sling....it was way heavier than it looked once we cut her loose.

1/21/2015 4:49:14 PM

Rapid City, SD

mine did the Humpty Dumpty.....

1/21/2015 5:09:39 PM

Williamsburg,KY

Out of the 5 gourds that grew only two are still in one piece. Last year I had 7 and only 2 made it. There is no secret to drying, the secret is how mature the gourd is when its cut from the vine.

1/21/2015 7:00:41 PM

Fuquay Varina, NC

If they are mature dry them upside down, or cut a 6-7 inch circular hole in top (stem)and clean out.

1/21/2015 9:45:06 PM