Ok, here goes..I tried to plant indian corn and gourd seeds. The corn got torn down by puppies that I had at the time..some of the gourd sprouted then died..some never did grow..the gourd I'm talking about is specifically the type that you can make bird houses from or rattles from. That time..I was in East Texas and now I've moved to Central Texas and am wondering if it's worth the time to try to grow the gourd seeds? If so, does anybody have any that I can purchase or grow then send back the seeds? I am also interested in corn that you can eat but isn't a modern corn either. I am new at this so don't know what to ask..any ideas readers? Also I am interested in a type of watermelon that supposedly has sun and stars on it..does anyone know what I'm talking about? I also seem to remember an american indian watermelon that had blue inside (on what's called the meat which is usually pink or yellow)...or could my memory be faulty? Any suggestions for watermelons, beans, corn, gourds, tomatoes, or whatnot is VERY much appreciated!

Ted

-- Ted Hart (tedhart71@hotmail.com), January 11, 2001

Answers

Hi Just saw the "moon and stars" watermelon yesterday at the Burpee website here's a link - hope it works:

http://www.burpee.com/shopping/prod_detail/main.asp?uid=BBD98866-E74B- 11D4-866B-009027DE5752&search=watermelon&stype=All&sl=1&productID=916& catID=401&page=1&pos=undefined

Also, I know I've seen the birdhouse gourds in every seed catalog. Good luck Kristine

-- Kristine (KrisPerez@aol.com), January 11, 2001.

Try this for the seeds:SEED SAVERS EXCHANGE.They have a website,go to www.seedsavers.org. They feature heirloom seeds,books and gifts... hope this helps!!

-- Tammy S.South in Western KY (w-feather40@webtv.net), January 11, 2001.

Hey Ted, email me with your address and I'll send you birdhouse seeds. I grow them every year.not very succesfully but I have seeds that I can share. They are fun to grow. Get bigger almost right before your eyes. Ada

-- Aagje Franken (Backyardy2k@aol.com), January 11, 2001.

Ted,I also have some seeds if you would like. Here is a really cool tip,to make the gourd long force it to grow up;plant the seeds in pots,once you see fruit start move into the shade or building w/ a window,the vine will grow towards the light and some how it makes the fruit long. I have used these seeds for years and depending where they are planted the squash are different. I am not sure what variety they are ,they were a gift from a friend over seas.

-- renee oneill{md.} (oneillsr@home.com), January 11, 2001.

I ment gourds not squash...what is the difference?

-- renee oneill (oneillsr@home.com), January 11, 2001.

R.H. Shumway's free catalog has a lot of heirloom varieties, including the moon and stars watermelon. Not the blue-fleshed watermelon, though. www.rhshumway.com

Gina NM

-- Gina NM (inhock@pvtnetworks.net), January 11, 2001.

Hey Ted what you are looking for is moon and stars watermelon seeds, it is my understanding that this is a favorite among us in the south, I have seeds so if you will e-mail me with you address I will get them in the mail. With the moon and stars there is 2 different kinds (I'm sure there is more then that but 2 of them I have) one is for early watermelon and one is a later one I have both. God Bless.

-- tracy emily in TN (emilyfarms@tsixroads.com), January 12, 2001.

Hi Ted,

I've got birdhouse gourd seeds that I've grown here in the Big Bend area of Texas, send me an email with your address and I'll send you some. I've found that if I freeze them for a week or so before I plant them, I get better germination rates. gene

-- Gene (shafteryachtclub@yahoo.com), January 13, 2001.