From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Bethlehem CT

It seems to me that the best climate for watermelons is in the South, the best climate for AG's is in the North. Bushel Gourds seem to do equally well in both. What do you guys think?

9/12/2018 9:28:01 AM

Zimmerman, Minnesota

Well I’m in Minnesota and I have 3 that are doing fantastic, however these nights in the 40s have slowed the growth down considerably, so from that standpoint you could argue the south is better. But overall I think they will do fine anywhere.

9/12/2018 10:21:15 AM

Georgia

What about vine borers? I have heard that bushel gourds get left alone. That by itself makes me want to grow them.

9/12/2018 1:34:54 PM

Lexington, Ky

BG's are not immune from vine borers or cucumber beetles. Learning that this year.

9/12/2018 2:55:10 PM

Bethlehem CT

Bushel gourds seem to be much less desirable to pests compared to the other cucurbits.

9/12/2018 5:28:43 PM

Kansas

They really like the heat for sure. This year also had a severe case of spider mites that effected the Bushel gourd pretty bad.

9/12/2018 6:15:39 PM

Upa Creek, Mo

Doug English has his own bee colonies and doesn’t use systemic pesticides. He grew the WR bushel gourd so I’m agreeing with Big Moon about insect pressure compared to AGs. His latitude is middle Missouri, so seems to like a little North and South.

9/12/2018 6:54:22 PM

SW Ohio

I’ve not noticed svbs but the cuke beetles were all over mine. i sprayed once for the cuke beetles about mid way thru. Im starting to see Downy Mildew now. Other than that, Ive not noticed anything serious disease wise. Overall, it was a super easy plant to grow in my SW Ohio garden.

9/12/2018 8:11:54 PM

NE Arkansas

I think the best pollinators are hummingbird moths

9/13/2018 2:33:54 PM

sevierville, Tn

never seen a SVB on a BG, the cuke beetles and squash bugs seem to like BG better.... great bait plant !

9/13/2018 10:51:53 PM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

I learned that they are affected by the same brown fungus that gets the long gourds.

9/14/2018 8:33:43 AM

JACKSON, WISCONSIN. ; )

Well I guess we kinda know my answer

9/16/2018 1:21:12 AM

Lewistown,IL

Jlindley I am on the same page with the hummingbird moths. Years ago the wife and I grew alot of hard shell gourds and right at dusk there would be dozens of Hummingbird moths. Fast forward to the present day and I have seen no hummingbird moths and I have a very hard time getting my gourds pollinated. Shocker to me the caterpillar for the hummingbird moth is the notorious tomato horn worm and I haven't seen any of them in years. I am going to purchase some next year and grow them out.

11/10/2018 8:48:21 PM