| Author |
Message |
    
Snbuckeye
| | Posted on Thursday, January 31, 2008 - 01:18 pm EST : |   
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I never knew this, but Luffa is a veggie. Well I thought it would be cool to grow these. I just bought some seeds and they are now in soil and Im awaiting the seedlings.
Has anyone else grown these? any advice?
Snbuckeye
- Florida,
Zone "9a"
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Stephie
| | Posted on Thursday, January 31, 2008 - 02:14 pm EST : |
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They're great but keep them away from your regular squashes or they will cross pollinate and voila....horrid squashes! I had a winter and patti-pan squash do this and ended up with things that looked like the elephant man.
Stephie |
Snbuckeye
| | Posted on Thursday, January 31, 2008 - 03:03 pm EST : |
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Oh! Thanks for the warning! Dh is making me plant summer squash this year!~ Ill make sure to keep them far away from each other!
Snbuckeye
- Florida,
Zone "9a"
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Vilcat
My Garden
| | Posted on Thursday, January 31, 2008 - 09:51 pm EST : |
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When I lived in Maryland, I grew Luffas up the side of the dog's pen, in sandy soil and full sun. I got an arm load of sponges...it was fun.
Vilcat
- New Hampshire,
Zone "4b"
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Durgan
My Garden Journal
My Weather
My Garden
My Time
| | Posted on Thursday, January 31, 2008 - 11:43 pm EST : |
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This is consolidated information about growing luffah from transplanting to sponge making. My own experience.
http://xrl.us/mxa8 Trellis and transplanted into garden 25 May 2006
Loofah plants were put outdoors today 25 May 2006. These three plants were started in February in the basemant, and put in my small greenhouse in late March. The seeds are germinated by placing three in a 3 inch pot sharp end down about the same depth as the seed pod and enclosing in a zip lock bag. The seeds germinate in about 14 days, then the two weaker plants are cut off at ground level. It takes about 180 days to produce a ripe product for sponge making in my zone 5.
The trellis network is in full sun and about eight feet high about eight feet wide by sixteen feet long. The structure is from common materials purchased in a building supply, fence posts, concrete reinforcing wire, and plastic ties. The soil is compost, clay and wood chips, which is well drained.
http://xrl.us/ni3k
18 June 2006. Update on the Luffah plants. Four plants are thriving and there are some fruiting bodies.
http://xrl.us/npro Luffah update.
24 June 2006. The fruiting bodie's size can be judged by the mesh in the background, which is 6 sq. inches. The dead branch on the left of the third picture was caused by bird droppings on the junction with the main trunk. I suggest the chemical reaction caused damage.
7 July 2006
http://xrl.us/ose8
Loofah Progress 7 July 2006. One vine was lost for some unknown reason, but about four are doing well. One fruiting body is about 15 inches in length, and there are others forming.
http://xrl.us/paah
21 July 2006. The luffah plants are coming into their own. It rained yesterday, and all plants are now thriving.
http://xrl.us/pt4d
30 July 2006. Luffah are growing well.
http://xrl.us/q438
23 August 2006. Pictures of making my first Luffah sponge. One fruit was ripe so I made a sponge. Neena, my Pomeranian dog, was very interested in the proceedings. I got a total of 14 sponges, some fruit didnt dry, since we had a very wet fall season.
The seeds of 2006 were planted in January 2007 anad I now have four plants growing well. Ths seeds take about 14 days to germinate, planted with sharp end into the soil. I planted three to a pot and had 100% germination this year. The fruit takes about 180 days to mature. I grow them for the lush vegetation and they make a great conversation piece.
Durgan.
Durgan
- Ontario,
Zone "5B"
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Cozyglow
My Garden Journal
My Weather
My Garden
| | Posted on Friday, March 07, 2008 - 06:24 pm EST : |
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Where can I get Loofah seeds? I use them when I make my homemade soaps, but have to buy them at Walmart, and it's an expensive hobbie for what I have to charge people.
Seeds would be helpful and then I can grow my own, too. Where did you get your seeds? I've not ever seen any.
Please, LMK. Thanks.
Susan
Cozyglow
- Texas,
Zone "Southeast Texas"
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Stephie
| | Posted on Friday, March 07, 2008 - 07:22 pm EST : |
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You can get luffa seeds from any seed catalogue...Baker's Creek probably has them as would many on-line stores. Usually under ornamental squashes....keep away from regular squashes!
Stephie |
Oldiebutgoodie
| | Posted on Friday, March 07, 2008 - 08:06 pm EST : |
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You may find the seeds spelled loofah.}}
Oldiebutgoodie
- Ontario,
Zone "5"
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Cozyglow
My Garden Journal
My Weather
My Garden
| | Posted on Saturday, March 08, 2008 - 02:46 am EST : |
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Thank you. I will be checking it out. I'm not too familiar, as you've probably guessed, with seed buying. Your info is very helpful.
Again, thanks.
Susan
Cozyglow
- Texas,
Zone "Southeast Texas"
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