I have a lot of vines and gobs of gourds. Some of them are dying back. When the stem turns brown I cut them off with a long stem to hang them from. The rest I am leaving until they look ready. This is my first time to grow gourds too. We need to keep each other posted on the status of our gourds.

You made the right decesion on when to cut Tulsa.

For the first time - I had a gourd vine that was completely died back already - just lastnight. Had a penguin gourd on it that was not full size. I cut the gourd off, green cleaned it, lightly scrubbed in bleach/soap solution and I have it hanging in the living room (good air circulation with the A/C.

I've never had a vine die back this early in the year - I wonder what caused it?
Also, I've got about 5 gourds that got to be about 4" long and then just shriveled up and died. I've never had this happen before either - anyone have any ideas?

Well my vine did not die and shrival yet.It stopped growing...was loseing leaves& NOW it is growing again& produceing gourds.I'm still searching for info about this.I didn't know they would start growing again.least are produceing better this time.I have one from round one& have 7 small ones now one the largest is fist sized.my 1st frost last year was Nov 24th.so whens it gonna stop growing?how cool can it get and they still grow.I take it they stopped growing cause of the heat.I planted them March 12th.Has been a good 1st year growing them.I got hooked.I seen the things ya'll have done with them& driveing past winnie going to Galveston seen someone made a traffic light useing gourds.That was kewl also.I have plans for next year to grow a whole bunch diffeent kinds.guess is good have 2 acres huh.