Boy do they climb! After you first put the plants out( or after they sprout, if you grew from seed) they may not look like they are doing too much, but most of the action is going on underground establishing a root system. One day you will see the little tendril starting, the next thing you know they'll be off and running. You don't need to stake them to anything. Those tendrils will find their way to anything around them to grow up on. I planted my small and miniature varieties up against my fence this year for them to climb. The larger ones, kettle, martin and such will just have to rest on the ground this year.
Good luck with your gourds! :)

I planted birdhouse gourds for a few years near the dripline of a fairly large dogwood tree. Tied one string from a stake by the planting to a limb of the tree. In a month or so, they cover the tree, and produce dozens of gorgeous gourds hanging from the branches. My favorite way to grow gourds.

George

I can only quote from Bruce Willis in "Moonlighting":

"Do birds bird? Do bees bee?"

oh yeah.

Casey

Thanks for the feedback! Does anyone know how long it takes before vining begins? Seeds were started at the end of March...the vines are quite long but they are just growing flat along the ground, totally ignoring the "teepee" stick structure I planted them around...

Sometimes you have to show them the way. Try picking up the vine and putting it on your teepee. I've always heard of your head being called a gourd (as in "out of your gourd") however, since they don't have eyes in their little heads, they don't see your wonderful teepees! Pick them up and head them in the right direction, they really won't mind.

All right, I'll give it a try. I want some vines!!! :)