Meet The Gourd Family

by Sandi OReilly

Title

Meet The Gourd Family

Artist

Sandi OReilly

Medium

Photograph - Photography,digital Painting

Description

This image was taken at a Farmer's Market. Next to this display of all types of melons, squash, cucumbers and others was a display of a woman who had carved and painted different gourds. Hollowed out the shells dry very hard and make an interesting array of shapes to create with. I have digitally painted this image. Gourds may be one of the oldest cultivated plants, originally grown to make storage containers and utensils. Although some varieties are edible when the fruit is young, most people grow them for their decorative qualities. Gourds are members of the Cucurbit family, which includes cucumbers, squash and melons. The long vines make attractive garden plants that readily climb fences, trellises and arbors.

The three most common types of gourds are cucurbita, lagenaria and luffa gourds. Cucurbita gourds (cucurbita spp.) are native American gourds come in a range of shapes and fall colors. Many have warts, ridges, stripes and patterns that add character to fall decorations. These gourds usually only last one season. Members of the lagenaria group come in shapes ready-made for making utensils, such as spoons and dippers, and other useful items like storage containers, dishes, bowls and birdhouses. When properly dried they last for years. Their durability makes them popular for use in crafts. Mature luffa gourds are used to make bath sponges. Young, tender fruit can be cooked like squash. You can also use immature fruit in salads as you would cucumbers.

Gourds need full sun and a growing season with 100 to 180 days of warm temperatures, preferably between 70 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit. Well-drained, light, sandy soil is best, but you can grow gourds in heavy soil if you work in plenty of organic matter first. Grow gourds on a trellis or fence to keep the fruit off the ground as it ripens and dries. The vines of some varieties grow quite long and provide attractive coverage for trellises and arbors.
Fine Art Meet The Gourd Family Photography Digital Painting Artwork By Sandi OReilly, All Rights Reserved and Copyrighted in the US and Internationally. No use of this image is allowed without my written permission.

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October 19th, 2019

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