After having solved the male-femal flower business (you wouldn't think I
did level 1 bio for HSC would you, and ag too) and fertilised them, a
number of them, we still have the same problem.

They grow to a 3-6" ball and then rot and drop off.

either
a) we (me, swmbo, and bees) stuffed up the fertilising, or
b) it has to be something lacking in soil.

Any ideas?

BTW, the gourds are doing well and we have a few little gourds/squash so
far, although some early ones did drop off.