Gourds

While visiting my friend and dahlia mentor Kevin Larkin earlier this year, he cracked open a really neat gourd and I pocketed 3 seeds.  All 3 germinated and I planted them in wire baskets and fashioned a teepee trellis out of bamboo.  I really didn't think they were going to produce gourds, as most of the small fruits shriveled up...Well, after being attacked by aphids ( which the ladybugs feasted on ), I see where I actually have some nice looking gourds.  One is particularly large and a few other are catching up.  I hope the gophers and deer stay away!  I love gourds.