Just In Time For Christmas

I felt it wasn't worth spending too much time on the design because it's pretty wonky at the back (due to surface rot), but I'm happy at least one of them cured in time for Christmas. (The others are still 'green').

Mom will be the lucky recipient of my humble oeuvre. Think she'll like it? (She can always trade it in, later).

My first Birdhouse gourd

Sideview, revealing the less-than-perfect derrière

Generous bowlful of seeds
(Any takers?)

The gift that keeps on giving

Seeing how many seeds it produced, I thought I'd throw in an extra token!

Wishing you all a great Holiday Season! Xx :)

Speaking of Gourds

Gaggle of Gourds (mixed seeds) Lagenaria siceraria

"The Lagenaria, or hard-shelled group of gourds produce white blossoms and are green on the vine, turning brown or tan with thick, hard shells when dry. Birdhouse, also called Bottle Gourd, is still used in Mexico and other areas to make water bottles. Calabash, sometimes called 'Penguin', is used in Japan to make pipes. Corsican is a flattened round uniform shape which is ideal for bowls and lidded containers. Dipper not only scoops water, but is a clever potted plant container. Speckled Swan is stunning in a fall centerpiece and a multitude of other craft projects."

Gourds typically take 120-150 days to mature, a fact I obviously overlooked when I purchased the seeds a few years ago. (Pretty packaging will do that to you). Growing them in my zone is challenging even in a good year. Starting them indoors is an absolute must.

The mixed seeds produced 4 'Birdhouse' and 3 'Dipper' gourds. The little 'Speckled Swan' (middle, right) didn't make it, I'm afraid (container tragedy #41).

They seem to be drying out nicely. I picked them 3 days ago and left them outside to enjoy the warmth and sunshine. The weather's been stellar this week. I'll bring them in shortly to complete the drying process. Crafting can begin, in a few months time, once they're fully cured.

I ♥ cucurbits.

Happy (Canadian) Thanksgiving!

100 Plants That Almost Changed The World

is a recent publication by Chris Beardshaw. (You might remember him from a video I posted last year entitled Apples: British to the core. To my delight, the Chelsea Flower Show veteran joined the Beechgrove Garden team this year). It's a fun read. Light and informative with beautiful artwork.

My loofahs didn't thrive, sorry. These gourds will have to do. :P

Here's an excerpt of the book:

"The Loufah, commonly seen as a washing aid and skin exfoliant in showers and bathrooms is related to the Cucumber. Two species Luffa acutangula and L. aegyptiaca are grown for their long, crisp fruits that perfectly resemble their more familiar cousin. Originally grown and cooked in Asia and Africa for its nutritious and jaundice-resisting properties, it is more profitable now to allow fruits to mature before processing to remove all the tissue except the network of xylem cells, producing the bathroom Loufah.

Research has recently concentrated on the apparent natural antibacterial properties of the tissue in the production of fine grade air filters."

Links:
Chris Beardshaw - Making magazine - Crafts Institute

Caigua

I grew Cyclanthera 'Fat Baby' as an ornamental last season and posted photos of it on G+. There, I met Anna who was growing Caigua (Cyclanthera pedata). We traded seeds.

Pretty, palmate leaves, displaying some yellowing, here, unfortunately.
(Container growing is not my forte!)

Caigua bloom

Smooth, slipper-like fruit

Surprisingly, these tender vines were able to cope with a few light frosts. I harvested this small lot on Aug. 30 and a slightly larger crop in mid-September. They are different in texture to cucumber but share a similar flavour. They can be pickled, sautéed or eaten fresh. As they mature, the pods become hollow which makes them perfect for stuffing.

I tried this tex-mex recipe (she has great info and photos so have a look!). It makes a great zucchini or pepper stuffer too. Yum!