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Gourd plants growing on vines in the sunniest part
of our garden. Large beautiful flowers are pollinated and grow
from tiny gourds at their base into large heavy fruits that need
support before they are harvested in the fall. |
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There are many varieties of hard shelled gourds that
are grown around the world. On the left is a CANNONBALL gourd
and on the right is a BOTTLE gourd. After harvesting in the fall
they will need to dry for many months until they are light tan
in colour and very much lighter in weight.The moisture inside
has dried and there is a white mould covering the gourd. That
should be washed off before any further decorating can be done
on the gourd's wooden surface. |
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My own BABY BIRD GOURD was grown in my garden one
very hot summer. As the large DIPPER STYLE GOURD dried
in my studio, it's shell was too thin and it began to collapse
and curl around. And I thought that the mold on the outside was
too interesting to wash off. So I left the natural mould and
the darker markings on the surface and sprayed it completely
with a clear lacquer to preserve it all. Since it really looked
like a BABY BIRD, I gave it a tiny wood burned eye and added
a few exotic feathers and basketry cane for delicate wings. It
now graces my studio on a grapevine nest. |
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