How to Harvest Seeds to Grow Gourds
Seed saving allows you to gather and store seeds in your favourite plant varieties from your garden-grown plants. The big amounts of gourds, both pumpkins and ornamental varieties, dry readily and store nicely, whether you gather them from fresh fruits or cured ones. Gourds easily cross-pollinate so that it’s ideal to conserve seeds should you only plant one variety from the garden every year, otherwise the seeds might not produce true to the parent.
Dried Gourds
Cut an opening in the gourd with a little hand saw or electric saw. Make the opening in the desired shape and size if you’re utilizing the gourd shell for a job.
Pull the dried pulp from in the gourd and place it on a plate or in a bowl.
Separate the seeds in the papery pulp. Save only fully formed seeds that aren’t discolored or showing signs of mildew or mould.
Store the seeds in a sealed envelope to keep moisture out. Label the jar with the seed variety and year harvested. Keep it in a cool, dark place until you’re ready to replant.
Fresh Gourds
Cut open the gourd using a sharp knife. Scoop the pulp from the gourd shell using a big spoon and set it in a bowl.
Separate the seeds from the pulp and transfer them into a second bowl.
Fill the seed bowl with lukewarm water. Swish the seeds around in the water with your hands to loosen and remove the rest of the pulp. Scoop the pulp in the water surface and dispose of it. Eliminate any seeds that float, because these aren’t viable and will not germinate.
Drain the water in the seeds. Spread the seeds from a single layer onto a paper towel in a dry location. Allow the seeds to dry for one or two weeks, then turning them once or twice weekly so either side completely.
Store the seeds in a sealed envelope labeled with all the wide variety and harvest year. Keep the jar in a cool, dark location.
