Adhere the materials: Use craft glue or a strong adhesive to secure the natural materials to the gourd’s surface. Be mindful of the placement and spacing, ensuring a balanced and visually appealing design. Periodically, especially if you notice any discoloration or odor, you can clean the gourd with a mixture of warm water and lemon juice or vinegar. Simply apply the mixture to the inner surface, scrub gently, and rinse thoroughly.

In parts of India a dried, unpunctured gourd is used as a float (called surai-kuduvai in Tamil) to help people learn to swim in rural areas. But then, as your seed likely arrived via wind or bird from where and when, it could be the product of cross pollination and you may be growing a new variety of gourd for us to enjoy. If you’ve recently made your own gourd water bottle or are thinking about making one, it’s important to know how to properly cure and maintain it. Water your gourd seeds at planting time to increase their chances of surviving. Give your bottle calabash plants a constant water supply and water the soil deeply 4–5 times a month. The soil should be damp at all times since that will help the gourds grow faster. Water your gourds early in the morning, so they can dry completely by nightfall.

How to Make a Gourd Canteen

The gourd typically has a pale green skin—some will be more chartreuse while others are a darker green. When selecting them at the market, slight imperfections in the skin are nothing to worry about. Uncut, these gourds can be stored in the refrigerator for two to three weeks. Shaping a gourd to create a functional and visually appealing water bottle requires careful planning and execution.

Cutler, Hugh C.; Whitaker, Thomas W. (April 1961). "History and Distribution of the Cultivated Cucurbits in the Americas" (PDF). American Antiquity. 26 (4): 469–485. doi: 10.2307/278735. JSTOR 278735. S2CID 161495351. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-05-12. They are such rampant growers that they will overwhelm a flimsy structure and we thought they could easily take down our plastic mesh deerfence! So go ahead, make your own gourd water bottle and elevate your eco-friendly hydration game! Can I Use the Same Steps to Make a Flower Vase with a Gourd Water Bottle? Remember, the process of preparing a gourd for use as a water bottle requires careful attention to cleanliness and sanitation.a b c Prance, Ghillean; Nesbitt, Mark, eds. (2012). The Cultural History of Plants. Routledge. pp.21, 348. ISBN 978-1135958107. Harvest the gourd before the first frost, as cold temperatures can damage the quality of the gourd. Not only does it provide you with a beautiful and functional water bottle, but it also allows you to embrace sustainable alternatives for everyday items. By considering the design elements mentioned above, you can craft a unique and practical gourd water bottle that is both functional and visually pleasing. Creating The Opening And Spout

Add a protective layer: To preserve your decorations and enhance the durability of your gourd water bottle, consider applying a clear protective coating such as varnish or sealant. This will shield the materials from moisture and help maintain their vibrant appearance. Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl". Plants of the World Online. Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. 2017 . Retrieved 2 December 2020. Bottle gourds are grown by direct sowing of seeds or transplanting 15- to 20-day-old seedlings. The plant prefers well-drained, moist, organic rich soil. It requires plenty of moisture in the growing season and a warm, sunny position, sheltered from the wind. It can be cultivated in small places such as in a pot, and allowed to spread on a trellis or roof. In rural areas, many houses with thatched roofs are covered with the gourd vines. Bottle gourds grow very rapidly and their stems can reach a length of 9 m in the summer, so they need a solid support along the stem if they are to climb a pole or trellis. If planted under a tall tree, the vine may grow up to the top of the tree. To obtain more fruit, farmers sometimes cut off the tip of the vine when it has grown to 6–8 feet in length. This forces the plant to produce side branches that will bear flowers and yield more fruit.In 2012, Teófilo García of Abra in Luzon, an expert artisan who makes the Ilocano tamburaw variant using calabash, was awarded by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts with the "Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan" (National Living Treasures Award). He was cited for his dedication to practising and teaching the craft as an intangible cultural heritage of the Philippines under the Traditional Craftsmanship category. [44] Not only is a gourd water bottle visually appealing, but it also provides health benefits as it keeps water cool and fresh. Squash” and “ pumpkins” can be either edible or ornamental, but they are soft-shelled and won’t last as long (unless cured,like winter squash). Consider adding a handle to the gourd for convenient carrying. This can be achieved by drilling holes on the sides and attaching a sturdy cord or leather strap. Durable and long-lasting: Gourd water bottles are known for their durability, as they are made from a hard outer shell that can withstand rough handling and outdoor activities. With proper care, they can last for years, reducing the need for frequent replacements.