First the answer to the question about the seed. Believe it or not, the seed for the biggest gourd we grow is not the largest seed. Even though the gourd grows long, most of it is neck. The base doesn't get more than about 8 inches in diameter. The extra long-handle gourd seeds are the ones closest to the gourd (or the three on the far left).

The flowers that turn into the fruit (gourd) of the plant are the female flowers. The two gourd flowers pictured at the right and below are examples of this. The white flower below right is a male flower. Our gourds are visited by bees and other insects. (Follow the beebalm link, below, to see some of our pollinating friends.)

Can you guess what kind of gourd the one below is going to be? Go to the next page for the answer...

More Gourd Links