Nope, not true, plant them just like cucumber seeds. (just much bigger). They come up perfectly without help from nipping or soaking.

Casey

Hey Zeke--How are your dipper gourds doing--I planted 6 hills and only have 2 plants that made it--Ants ate the rest of them--I still don't have any blossoms but they are finally starting to grow and vine (in spite of the drought) I take better care of my gourd plants than anything else in my garden--Let me know how you make out. Nancy

although the percentage of dippers(and swan too)that sprouted was less than 50%, i did not do anything other than plant(starts)in pots. my birdhouse gourds are superprolific, i dont remember planting that many seeds. see its been a couple of months since you wrote the thread, hope your garden is green! jeff