Jump to content

Wanted: calabash water gourd


Cuisto Mako

Recommended Posts

Hello everyone,

I'm looking for a calabash water gourd. I know, I could try to grow one my self...but hey, I'm lazy!

So I would prefer to find one already clean and dry.

Thanks for your help!

my brother is growing some, but from what I can tell, they take three months or more to cure after you harvest them.

Just to make sure, you are looking for 'Lagenaria siceraria' and they go under the name Calabash gourd and Bottle gourd, and

Bird House gourd. from what I can tell, they come in different shapes too. But it seems the only thing online that you can buy is

the seeds mate.

No Fear Have Ye of Evil Curses says you...

Aye,... Properly Warned Ye Be says I

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I bought a few on ebay a while back. You can get all sizes and shapes of cured/dry gourds for less than $5 each.

5024514353_8b387a806a_m.jpg

Jonathan Washbourne

"Jonathan Washbourne Junr of Bridgwater appeared in court and was ordered to pay £5 fees and charges or be publicly whipped 20

stripes for his abusive and uncivil behaviour to Elizabeth Canaday Late of said Bridgwater by Thrusting up or putting of a skunk

under the Cloaths to her Naked Body And then saying he had Done the office of a midwife." (from The Plymouth Journal, July 1701)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
  • 3 weeks later...

Thanks guys, I did finally found a farm not far in Ontario that specialise in growing gourd for craft artist.

http://www.northerndipper.com/

I order a medium size calabash water gourd, but it's ended up being way too big for a water canteen that you would carry on your shoulder. I order a new one of a better size.

Any suggestion on what I could do with that super huge calabash? Exquemellein mention that buccanners used to store black powder in calabash seal with wax. Could be an option. But for security reason I would obvisouly not fill it with real powder. What could fake black powder in term of weigth and size of grain(for the sound when you shake it)? Sand? Salt?

Any other ideas?

Edited by Cuisto Mako
Link to comment
Share on other sites

do they need to be treated in any way or are they good to go in the natural state, and do they hold up well being used and then left to dry over and over

Mine will be treated with bee's wax, help to seal the thing and give a nice taste to your water

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks guys, I did finally found a farm not far in Ontario that specialise in growing gourd for craft artist.

http://www.northerndipper.com/

I order a medium size calabash water gourd, but it's ended up being way too big for a water canteen that you would carry on your shoulder. I order a new one of a better size.

Any suggestion on what I could do with that super huge calabash? Exquemellein mention that buccanners used to store black powder in calabash seal with wax. Could be an option. But for security reason I would obvisouly not fill it with real powder. What could fake black powder in term of weigth and size of grain(for the sound when you shake it)? Sand? Salt?

Any other ideas?

Actually, yes, not sure where or how you would get as much as you might need, but onion seed is a great black powder substitute, my brother and father use it for coal in model railroad displays. most likly it would be 4-F size powder, nice and jet black. see http://tinyfarmblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/04/spr2007_germinationtest.jpg for a picture of onion seed.

Edited by Littleneckhalfshell

No Fear Have Ye of Evil Curses says you...

Aye,... Properly Warned Ye Be says I

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Onion seed heh...nerver though of that! thanks! And you do have a good point QMJ about baking them a little bit. Now I need to find a lot of onion seed....in the meantime I think I 'm gonna use the big calabash as a water canteen as well but for the base camp not to carry on my shoulder.

The sun hit hard in the Carribean ;)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well, the muse just dropped this upon me: what about crushing up a few charcoal briquettes?

Has anyone ever tried using cracked black pepper? I know it would still have some lighter flecks to it, but controlling the granulation would be easier, and perhaps adding some charcoal as Qj suggested might help on the colour.

Michael_banner.jpg
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Another good idea, thank Michael. I also though of poppy seed, it's less dangerous than black pepper ;)

Poppy seed! Yes!

Most excellent!

Far more available, and I dare suspect cheaper than onion seed too!

Maybe bake (scorch) those until they turn black?

Was also considering suggesting activated charcoal from the fish store.

Interesting project this. Usually I'm looking to keep a stock of the real thing, not looking to fake it! B)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

And at least if the food is bad, I can use the fake black powder to mask the flavour! laugh.gif

clever! B)

actually, real black powder can also add a bit of punch in a drink. Try this: a beer, a shot of rhum, and gently sprinkle black powder over it not bad I tell you.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Try this: a beer, a shot of rhum, and gently sprinkle black powder over it not bad I tell you.

Oh yeah! Charcoal, sulfur, and saltpeter: the perfect seasoning for any occasion!

No thanks! I get enough of that out at the range! I am not adding it to my beer, rhum, what-have-you!

;)B);) ;) ;) ;) B);) ;) B):P

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...