Natural gourds

[Guest]

I just ordered the 4 pack natural gourds from the PMCA. In seeing pictures of some members' naturals, they are normally painted white. I would assume this is to keep the temp. down inside the gourds in the summer months. I love the look of the natural gourds, but wonder if leaving them natural would make them too hot here in Texas.

Replies would be very much appreciated.


Thanks,

Lanell

[Emil Pampell-Tx]

Many people think that they must be white, but the temp difference is only 1 or 2 degrees between a white or a brown one. If you keep them brown, It may help some to put in a pvc elbow for a vent. Many people for many years have used natural brown gourds. The main reason for painting them is to make them last longer, or for the looks.

If you leave them natural, if you can clean them very good, and if you sand them to help keep on a varnish,an exterior boat varnish will hold up fairly good, especially if you wax it every season.

I plan on doing some of mine like that, I saw one that was done like that and it held up real good

[Guest]

Thanks, Emil. I saw some natural ones in the Outdoor Learning Center here in Katy. They looked so great. Thanks for telling me how to preserve them for longer wear.


Lanell

[John Barrow]

Good morning Lanell and Emil. One of the PMCA Updates had an article comparing the heat differences in gourds. My recollection is that not painting the gourds white to help reflect heat was the biggest factor contributing to heat elevation. I remember it being a nine degree difference, not one or two degrees, that all other modifications might bring about, including adding the ventillation elbow.

Whether that temperature elevation poses a risk to martins in Houston, I cannot say. However, you might want to see if you can find that article in archives or in the Update reference file for future reference.

Best of luck to you both. Time is passing quickly and martins will be back before we know it. john

(A check shows that you will find that information in the archives--toward the bottom under miscellaneous in a thread called "Martin housing temperature tests". The tests were conducted in Texas and the article is certainly worth reading) jb

[Emil Pampell-Tx]

John, that particular test shows a difference of about 4-1/2 deg but a direct comparizon between vented & non-vented natural gourds is not there, at least I could not find a direct comparison.

I have read other tests that show only 1 to 2 deg difference, so who knows which test is best.

There may be other advantages to having it brown early in the season. I seem to have more problems with late freezes & rain, than with temps

Another thing to consider is the time period of the extremely high heat, I can see where 2 or 3 hours is not as dangerous as 5 or 6 hours. These tests were taken in August, my martins usually leave in June or early July.
Normally we do not get those real high temps in June.

I can truthfully say that I have never found that high temps cause martin deaths, I see them with their mouth open, but they always seem to survive.

I wish that I would know which is best, and I would certainly use it. I am going to try some natural gourds without white paint this year, maybe that will help

[Guest]

Thanks John and Emil. I am going to put the gourds up at the lake house. In the spring, it stays very cool, sometimes down right cold, but summer can be brutal. I'm with you, Emil, I wish I knew the right way, but it might have to be trial and error the first year.

John, I am going to read the article. Thanks.


Lanell