Last spring I planted a bottle gourd seeds (Amazon affiliate link) with the hopes that my first attempt would yield fruits that I could make into a water bottle. I was inspired by the bottles depicted in old Chinese paintings and after some research it looked like a manageable project, so here’s what I did.
Make sure your gourd is completely dry. After the growing season I left my gourds in the elements to cure and dry all winter. When they’re ready they should feel light and when shaken the seeds should rattle. If the gourd has a layer of black mold, gently scrub it with a stainless-steel scrubber (Amazon affiliate link) dipped in gallon of warm water with a tablespoon of bleach. Allow the gourd to air-dry for a couple of hours before proceeding to the next steps.
On the top of the gourd use a pencil to trace around the cork. This will assure that your opening will not be too large. Use a small-toothed saw to cut along the line.
Remove the top and use a stick to break up and loosen the material inside. Turn the gourd over and shake out the seeds.
After you get most of the material out, add a handful of small stones and swirl them around. Keep shaking the gourd until it is completely free of seeds and dried material.
Gently melt 8 ounces/225 grams of beeswax in a heat-proof container placed in a saucepan with a few inches of water. Carefully pour the melted beeswax into the cleaned out gourd and rotate the gourd to coat the inside with wax. Pour the excess wax out into another container and repeat 2-3 more times until sealed and completely coated.
Use a paring knife to scrape any excess wax off the lip of the bottle and check the cork for fit.
Rub the outside of the gourd with food-safe mineral oil or a thin layer of beeswax and polished to a semi-matte sheen. Finished!
I’d love to win some seeds!
Hi Emmy. It’s gourd to be here entering a contest. Thank you for the wonderful content.
This is such a fun idea! Thanks for the chance to win the seeds!
This is so awesome! I’d love a chance to grow these!
Would love to try these have seen scoops made out half dried one
I am growing Loofa seeds right now and would love to try these as well!!!
Hi Emmy! I love this post..I don’t think I’ve ever been to this blog so I’m excited to catch up and hopefully win some seeds 😊
I was hoping to see if I can make a DIY birdhouse with the bottle gourd seeds after they have dried. I’d be interesting if I can make that happen.
Wooow you are Emmazing 🙂 id love to see be a winner and see my own bottle gourd growth, keeping faboulus
I love them gourd seeds!
This is a fantastic idea!! I would love to win and get some seeds so I can grow them with my siblings!!
Hi Emmy I watched your videos of growing gourds and would love to win some seeds please
I’d love to grow these, but the seeds are always sold out!
After all those videos I’ve watched, I wasn’t aware you had a blog!! (I’ll blame it on menopause brain.) I’m so pleased to have another avenue to enjoy your work. You rock!
Love this project.
I live to have some seeds. Thank you.
Did I read there’s a chance to win seeds? I suddenly feel the need to make these!!
Thanks!!
Yes, please!
This is amazing!!! I would love win some seeds to be able to try this with my two young daughters .
Hi Emmy, my 6 year old boy encouraged me to enter this giveaway. We both watch your videos Together and he asks me daily “did Emmy post anything today”? Thanks for these lovely posts
I would love to grow these and make water bottles with my grandkids!
After the scrape of the insides and the pebble shake, I noticed that you did not dry the inside portion. I think a drying step is needed – by sun drying or a few days in a very low oven, followed by the beeswax multiple lining?
hi, i loved the post. iam from INDIA.
In the old days in India, people used to carry water like this. Can a project like this be done as a business in India?