FAQs
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Q: What
is a gourd?
A:
Gourds come from the cucurbitacea
family. This includes cucumbers, watermelons, pumpkins and squash.
There are 3 major classes: lagenaria, or hard-shell gourd; the
cucurbita, or ornamental gourd; and the luffa, or vegetable sponge.
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Q: Are
my gourds ruined if they get “moldy”?
A:
During the drying process,
the gourd loses it's high water content through the skin.
As this happens, the gourd becomes moldy and ugly. This is the process
it goes through to develop a tough and durable shell. Handle them
carefully and place them in an “out of the way” place to continue drying.
The mold produces a mottled design which some people like.
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Q: How
do I clean off the outer skin and mold?
A:
Let your gourds soak in hot
soapy water. A half hour is not too long. Then scrub them with a
metal scrub pad like you'd use in the kitchen. You'll find that the
skin will come right off, leaving a beautiful nut-brown surface.
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Q: How
do I make a gourd purse?
A:
You will need a canteen gourd
with a nice round shape and a flat bottom. Click here for instructions and photos.
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FAQs
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