Re: [gardeners] This and that
Margaret Lauterbach (gardeners@globalgarden.com)
Sat, 05 Sep 1998 14:36:19 -0600
>
>The cucuzzi is starting to die back and now I'm in a dilemma. Have one
>large cucuzzi I have saved for seed. About 4 inches in diameter by 3 feet
>long. I know you wait until the gourd stem drys and then cut and hang for
>up to one year to cure but - how long do you let them dry for seed use
>only? I'm not interested in making anything out of the gourd, just want the
>mature seeds. Any hints?
>
>George
>
George, Suzanne Ashworth ("Seed to Seed") says you should harvest when the
stem turns from green to brown or yellow, and if you're not going to use
the hard shell for a craft project, you can harvest seeds from a
not-completely-dry gourd. Separate seeds from the pulp and air dry. The
pulp can be very irritating, especially if you have small cuts on your
hands. Dry pulp can irritate the nose and respiratory tract. Seeds that
snap in half when bent are dry enough for storage. If they just bend,
they're not dry enough. Margaret