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Moonshine Designs Nursery Located in Milan, Illinois 309-756-1967 Fax: 309-756-1058
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Culture directions for:
Birdhouse Gourd & Decorative Gourds Sunflower Herbs
Liatris. (Blazing Stars) Balloon Flower Gaillardia
Birdhouse Gourd & Decorative Gourds
Requires lots of room if not trellised or grown on a fence or arbor. Vines can run 20 feet! In short season areas, seeds should be started early, about 4 weeks before last frost date. Plant 1 deep, three to a pot (peat pots are best), keep moist at 70-80 degrees F for germination in 7-10 days. For direct seeding, plant 3-4 seeds per hill, six feet apart (4 feet if trellised) after all danger of frost is past and soil has warmed up. Better shaped fruit will be obtained if trellised or grown on a fence. Do not harvest the gourds too early! Let them remain on the vine until the vines are dead. They will cure best this way. Frost will not harm fully developed fruits and actually speeds up the curing process. We cure ours outdoors in the October sun for as long as possible before removing them to the garage to finish the curing process. Do not be alarmed when mold forms on the outer surface. This is a natural part of the curing process and adds character to the finished gourd. When the fruits are dry, they will be light and the seed capsule inside will rattle. The gourd can be finished in a variety of ways. Plan on 100-125 days from sowing to harvest. Full sun, adequate water, and rich soil will give the best results.
Sow seed Ό deep in early spring; preferably in protected flats. Keep at 55-60 degrees F. Germination should take place in two to three weeks. Transplant the seedlings when large enough to handle into cells or pots and plant out in late spring in full sun. Blooms mid-summer the second year after sowing. Divide every three to five years to maintain vigor. In very windy locations, staking of the flower spikes may be necessary. Excellent cut flower.
Sow small seeds on surface of sterile medium and do not cover as light is required for germination. Germination should occur in about 10 days at 60 degrees F. Transplant the seedlings when large enough to handle into cells or pots and plant out in late spring in full sun. Plants started 6-8 weeks before last killing frost should bloom the first year. In very windy locations, staking of the flower spikes may be necessary. Excellent cut flower. Divide every three to five years to maintain vigor.
Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) 8-12 Hardy Perennial
Sow seeds Ό deep. Best Germination temperature is 60-70 degrees F. Seeds should germinate in 10-14 days. Do not over water or let them dry out. Plants will flower the first year if started early. Can be short lived on heavy soils. Established plants may be divided in early spring. Full sun. Keep dead headed for continuous blooms summer until frost.
Sow seed outdoors after all danger of frost has past and soil has warmed. Space seeds 2 apart, I deep in rows 24-48 apart, depending on size of cultivar. After plants have four true leaves, thin to stand 8-24 apart, depending on cultivar. For the Multi-head Giant, allow at least four feet between plants each way. As a general rule, the larger seeds will produce the largest seed heads and the tallest plants. To save seeds, cut heads after seeds have matured and store in a cool, dry place until dried. Remove seeds from head by rubbing. (Wear gloves). Store away from birds and critters or you wont have any! Tall types may need staking in areas with high winds.
Perennial Types:
Indoors: Sow seeds in late winter or early spring, 8 to 10 weeks before planting outdoors in spring. Where winters are not severe, a summer sowing will serve for setting out in the fall. We suggest use of a fine germinating mix such as Jiffy mix, Metro Mix, Redi Earth, or similar sterile seed sowing medium. Spread moist mix even with the top of a shallow container that has drainage. Broadcast or sow seeds in rows and cover with their thickness. Do not cover fine seeds. Bottom water and place in a warm location, about 70 degrees. Cover flat or container with plastic to hold moisture. Keep out of direct sun or you will have roasted seeds. Remove cover as soon as germinated. Bottom water to prevent damp-off. When 4 leaves develop, transplant into 2 Ό pots. After danger of frost is past, set outdoors in a protected location to harden plants for a few days before setting out in the garden. Mulch to prevent weeds and in severe winter areas, cover with 6-10 of loose mulch for winter and remove in early Spring. We do not recommend starting perennial herb seed directly in the garden, although success can be had on varieties with larger seeds. Oregano, Thyme, Lemon Balm, and others with very fine seeds should always be started indoors. There are many books available on the use, harvest, and drying of herbs as well as medicinal uses. To avoid any liability, we will not go into that area of instruction