Gourd Seed Exchange

Mottles · #21 07-20-2006, 01:06 PM

Hi Diane & Blake, I have some coyote gourds from last season that I could harvest for seeds for you. Unfortunately I think it's past the time for planting coyote seeds now. But you'd be ready for next year...planting time in my area Prescott Valley, Arizona 5300 elevation is late March early May. If planted now the seeds would probably germinate, and you would get a plant but the gourds from that planting might not have time to mature. Usually what would happen in they would just dry up on the vine. These coyote gourds will volunteer from year to year.
The coyote gourds are about the size of a tennis ball (sometimes a little larger). I like to make Christmas balls, native american rattle, grouped together they make a neat arrangement in a bowl. They can be painted, dyed, wood burned or just left natural with a coat of varnish. If woodburned you do need to be care full as they are thin shelled and you can burn though the shell very easily.
Blake I have your address but Diane if you want some seeds please leave your address in my WCI mailbox.
I have a few cracked coyote gourds that I can harvest maybe more later.
Kathy

Tidewalker · #22 07-20-2006, 01:48 PM

Hmm wonder if they can be grown up here in Canada? They sound interesting as a plant and a fun project to do with the kids and also they could paint them and /or carve them once big enough to harvest. Maybe could grow them indoors?

Hi_Ho_Sliver · #23 07-20-2006, 02:24 PM

not sure the coyote gourds will grow there, I believe it takes the heat, I know one carver that tried in Indiana...didn't work. too much moisture I think?

osagejoe · #24 07-20-2006, 04:18 PM

i would appreciate some too if possible thanks joe lucas 203 aspen dr.bardstown ky 40004

Mottles · #25 07-20-2006, 09:41 PM

I'm not sure about where they will grow and where they will not. Our summers here are hot and dry--so Dave just might be right. The ones that are growing in the wild at present are flowering.
osagejoe and you also Tidewater I'll be happy to send you some seeds to try.
A little history about how the coyote gourds come about. The coyotes eat the ripen gourds, poop and where ever the poop lands it's usally assured a coyote plant will appear. My original seeds were from wild plants growing along a wash. Thank you coyotes!
Kathy

DMSLewis · #26 07-21-2006, 01:41 AM

Sounds like the western version of buffalo gourds which grow wild here in Kansas. The leaves are much different but the gourds look identical. I have collected buffalo gourds a couple times, they range in size from slightly larger than a golf ball to a little bigger than a tennis ball. They dry very nicely, skin is so thin they don't mold although they will get some uneven coloring as they dry. Skin is not removed before working. It is so thin it pretty much disappears with drying and when I have scraped them green, they skinned very nicely but as they dry they would then shrivel.
They flourish in hot, dry climates, western Kansas is where I have found numerous vines. This time of year you can spot them as the leaves are large, kind of fuzzy looking and a bluish green color.
I'm sure I have some collected that will be cracked in drying so not useful for me. If anyone wants to try these, let me know. Their normal range is as far north as Nebraska so not sure how they would do further north. They are considered invasive some places so be careful where you are planting them.

Hi_Ho_Sliver · #27 07-21-2006, 11:22 AM

Buffalo gourds and coyote gourds are the same I believe. The coyote when she is ready to wean her pups will roll on the gourds or plant, not sure which, apparently the smell is so bad the pups won't try to feed.

Tidewalker · #28 07-21-2006, 12:53 PM

thanks for the offer but according to what I have researched , they wont grow here. Thank you for your generous offer though!

Mottles · #29 07-21-2006, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hi_Ho_Sliver

Buffalo gourds and coyote gourds are the same I believe. The coyote when she is ready to wean her pups will roll on the gourds or plant, not sure which, apparently the smell is so bad the pups won't try to feed.

Lol, Dave must be a form of coyote tough love!
Kathy

Mottles · #30 07-21-2006, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tidewalker

thanks for the offer but according to what I have researched , they wont grow here. Thank you for your generous offer though!

You are most welcome. There are smaller types of gourds that can be purchased online such as apple, canteen. Just do a google or ask search using those names.
Kathy