Using Ornamental Gourds Without Preserving Them
You can use gourds just as you would pumpkins. If you want to apply paint or dyes to the surface, you will need to remove the skin from the shell of your gourds as you wash them because paints or dyes will not adhere well to the waxy surface of the skin.
Beyond that preparatory step, you can add them to a fall display. You can carve your gourds and place candles in them as you would a pumpkin jack o’ lantern. You also can use carving and wood burning tools to create designs on the surface of the gourd.
If the weather is cool, gourds that haven’t been preserved will last longer outdoors than indoors because the cooler temperatures will slow the decay process. However, gourds that haven’t been dried will decay eventually, just as carved jack o’ lanterns do. They will last only for about a week or two.
Preserved Ornamental Gourds With Designs Burned or Carved Into the Surface
As with gourds that are ripening, cutting through the shell of the gourd allows the bacteria that can cause the gourd to rot to enter. This is why you should never press a fingernail into a gourd to test the thickness and hardness of the shell when attempting to determine whether or not the gourd is ready to harvest.
Instead, watch for the stem to turn brown and dry and leave Luffa and Langeria gourds on the vine as long as possible.
If you want to carve or burn designs into the shell of the gourd, you should dry the gourd following the two step curing process and then protect the gourd with a coating of furniture wax, paste wax, or glossy, semi matte, or matte varnish or shellac depending on whether you prefer a shiny or natural look for your gourds.
If you use either furniture wax or paste wax to seal your gourds, you will need to reapply this protective coating every few months. These gourds can last at least six months.
Ornamental Gourds Preserved for Their Natural Look
Ornamental gourds that have been properly dried to preserve their natural color can last for years. You will need to use the two step curing process. The first step dries the exterior of the gourd and takes about one week. The second step dries the interior of the gourd, which is a lengthier process. Small gourds require about a month to dry while larger gourds require several months before you hear the seeds rattling around inside.
As with gourds that have designs cut or burned into the surface, you should seal and protect theses gourds with paste wax, furniture wax, shellac, or varnish. Because the shells of these gourds have not been cut, gourds preserved to display their natural colors are likely to last longer than those that have had the surface cut. Well-preserved gourds can last for years.
The Two Step Process for Preserving Ornamental Gourds
After cleaning your gourds to remove dirt, mold, and bacteria from the surface, follow this procedure to dry your gourds.
Step One
- Spread the gourds out on several layers of newspapers in a warm, dry place
- Make sure that the gourds are not touching so that air can flow between them
- Turn the gourds daily so that they dry evenly, and discard those that show signs of rotting, softness, or shriveling
- Replace damp or wet newspapers with dry ones
After about a week, start step two.
Step Two
- Wipe or spray your gourds with household disinfectant or rubbing alcohol to discourage bacteria and mold
- Move the gourds to a place that is dark as well as warm and dry, and spread them out on a fresh layer of newspapers, again allowing air to flow between them
- Continue to turn your gourds daily
- If mold develops, wipe it off with a solution of one part bleach and nine parts water
- When the curing process is completed, you will hear the seeds rattling inside and your gourds will feel lighter
- Smaller gourds should dry within three to four weeks while larger gourds and pumpkins can take up to six months to dry completely
Langeria Gourds Preserved for Bird Houses and Household Items
Langeria gourds should be allowed to dry on the vine. Wait until you hear the seeds rattling inside before picking them and using them for whatever projects you have planned. Thanks to their thick, hard shells, these gourds will last for years even though they are generally cut open to create bowls, dippers, bird houses, and other items.
