Re: [gourds] Gourd durability
david (gourds@globalgarden.com)
Tue, 13 Jan 1998 21:27:15 -0600
Thanks for your note, Tom.
I know now that they last a long time in a tomb. Which is nice. Now, I am
still pondering how well they last in this hot, humid and rainy climate. I
know they will eventually decay out in the open, but they sure do resist it
for a long time.
Any ideas as to the make-up of the shell that contributes to this>
david
daviddd@ipa.net
www.garden-fresh.com
http://users.ipa.net/~daviddd
-----Original Message-----
From: Tom Elder <tomelder@bright.net>
To: gourds@globalgarden.com <gourds@globalgarden.com>
Date: Tuesday, January 13, 1998 8:32 PM
Subject: Re: [gourds] Gourd durability
>Your particular gourd was probably very mature and had good thick shell;
>immature gourds and many lagenaria do not fare so well - of course
>lagenaria have been found in ancient tombs, proving that we will turn to
>dust before they do. tom
>
>----------
>> From: david <daviddd@ipa.net>
>> To: Gourd List <gourds@globalgarden.com>; The Gourd Patch
><gourdpatch@pixelpublishing.com>
>> Subject: [gourds] Gourd durability
>> Date: Tuesday, January 13, 1998 3:20 PM
>>
>> What has intrigued me for a long time is the qualities of the largenaria
>> gourd shells.
>>
>> I wonder if anyone has information on why gourds can endure so well and
>> resist decay. I have had gourds lie on the ground exposed for several
>years
>> with no apparent damage. This is very unusual for organic things in our
>area
>> of high rainfall and humidity. In fact, I found some forgotten gourds
>that
>> are surely 7 or 8 years old in an shed on the damp ground. I cleaned them
>a
>> bit (very easy, too) applied a stain and finish, cut lids and sold them.
>> They were not more brittle nor the worse for wear than fresher ones.
>>
>>
>> david
>> daviddd@ipa.net
>> www.garden-fresh.com
>> http://users.ipa.net/~daviddd
>>
>>
>>