How to Dry Out a Bottleneck Gourd
- 1). Cut the stem of the gourd until about 2 inches remain.
- 2). Wipe the surface of the gourd with rubbing alcohol.
- 3). Set the gourd on a raised platform outdoors in an area receiving adequate ventilation. In warmer months, do not dry gourds in a garage, home or any other building, as the odor will be intense. If drying during winter, keep the gourd in a garage to prevent it from freezing, which destroys the covering and seeds inside.
- 4). Create a solution of one part chlorine bleach to 10 parts water. Wet a cloth with the solution and wipe the gourd's surface at least every two days to prevent any mold growth. If the mold growth becomes uncontrollable or if the gourd is shriveled or becomes soft, discard it immediately.
- 5). Continue to allow the gourd to dry until the color of the outside lightens, it becomes very hard, and the seeds rattle inside when you shake it. The time required for the bottleneck gourds to dry depends upon its size. A smaller gourd will completely dry in a few months, while a larger one will take up to one year.
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