Newbie

shipoke21 · Thu Mar 17, 2022 8:18 pm

Hello everyone
New to the forum, and glad to be part of what you folks do. Im 67 and have been a birder most of my life, and have been a wildlife manager for corporate lands until my recent retirement.
Last year i grew my on gourds, and put them up on peoples docks along the bayous of Pensacola, but the shells seems thin to me. Is there a particular type or brand that you grow? Im suspicious of what i put up.
Thanks
Shipoke
Pensacola

brent · Thu Mar 17, 2022 8:26 pm

Good question and welcome to the forum. You will get your answer but I want to share that there is a YouTube video on a descendant of our beloved America Indians who continues, to this day, growing and sharing his gourds for the purpose of hosting martins. I don’t remember the title but if you search I’m sure you’ll find it. It is a very interesting story and history. Good luck! Brent

brent · Thu Mar 17, 2022 8:31 pm

Found it. Journey Proud “Gourd Houses”. Brent

C.C.Martins · Fri Mar 18, 2022 4:58 am

Welcome to the Forum. You've been sharing your efforts (your gourds) sounds like; any plans on creating your own colony? Happy retirement!
Iv got natural gourds but have no idea about growing them, wish I did. Lots of folks here have so Im sure you'll get some replies.
again, welcome!
Tom

shipoke21 · Fri Mar 18, 2022 6:28 am

Thanks Tom and Brent.
Our 5 acres is heavily wooded with large trees, so not much chance of PMs. Have had a house up for 20 years.
My question about the Gourds is to find a source for seeds to get the right type. Some of these seed companies label them "bird house gourds" to help with sales.
Last year i built a $7000 bird house that took 8 months to build. Will tell ya'll about it in a later post.
Is there a way to post pics on here?
Shipoke

jhcox · Fri Mar 18, 2022 8:00 am

Welcome to the forum. Can’t wait to see that house it must be massive. Have you thought about using the plastic gourds they work just as well and last much longer. Unless you just want to experience the growing cleaning painting and everything that goes into doing natural gourds. Either way good luck hope you have a great Martin season.

shipoke21 · Fri Mar 18, 2022 8:10 am

Have always heard the plastic gourds get too hot.
Shipoke

jhcox · Fri Mar 18, 2022 9:54 am

There are ways to vent them to combat the heat. I have only tried the natural gourds a couple of times but it was way to much work and they just didn't last very long. but I hope it works out well for you and all the gourds get filled up for you. Good luck this season.

birdman in buckhead · Fri Mar 18, 2022 10:29 am

I don't understand how a white PVC/plastic gourd can get any hotter than a natural gourd. I would believe the opposite is true considering the PVC is a glossy/reflective white and the natural gourd is a dull off-white color. Some are closer to tan or biege that will absorb more heat than the glossy white PVC. Just my opinion. Have an studies been done what is best?

Hint hint to the PMCA!

I'll repost this as a seperate post asking the PMAC

cary-nw-fla · Fri Mar 18, 2022 11:24 am

Hi Shipoke and welcome to the forum. I'm probably about 40 or so miles to the East of you. Your soil is probably like mine - sandy. I had some where in my notes what fertilizer mineral to add to make the gourds thicker, but couldn't find it. If I find it, I'll post later. What I did find in my notes was: First 60 days - developing root system. During growing season apply fish emulsion. After fruit set, use nitrogen free fertilizers.