Luffa gourd growing
I know, I have been posting way too many pictures of the luffas that I have been growing this year! But, despite being told they wouldn’t grow here, I have had a great crop! (For reference I live in a zone 6)
Quick background on this kinda cash crop: in World War 2, luffas were used for surgical operations, filters for the Navy’s steam and Diesel engines and for the Army’s helmet linings. They have also been used for pot holders, doormats, sandles and even mattress stuffing!
So, I ordered some seeds online in the winter and started them inside in April. But early Spring I had some nice seedlings that were waiting for the ground to warm up!
I waited until the very end of May and planted them along the fence line. They vine very far! I think they would love a big trellis, but the fence worked just fine!
At first, like always, there were only males flowers. But before too long I started seeing a few tiny luffas starting to grow!
Something that totally surprised me was how much this plant flowered! Every day there were new blooms and the bees loved them! I steered clear of the plant in the morning and could watch the bees busy at work collecting pollen!
It seemed like overnight those tiny luffas started growing into monsters! (And I love how you can see bees on the flowers below!)
And I was shocked to see the size of some of them! I’m a tall girl with huge hands and check out the luffa below!
By the end of the summer, I couldn’t even see through the fence due to all the vines!
And I was shocked to find that there were even luffas growing around sunflowers!
In early September, the dark green gourds started turning a lighter green/yellow. I waited until the plant was yellow and the tough skin started feeling paper-like before I cut it from the vine.
When they are picked, you must peel them. (Just like a banana!) This is my favorite part!!
Then I let them sit outside on my warm deck to dry out all the way.
After they are dry, I shake them over a bowl and get the one million seeds out! And for all of my hard work, I am rewarded with over a dozen (so far) scrubbers!
And my plans with them? Well, I am already using a piece of one to scrub the dishes. And I will be making some luffa soap out of another. And who knows what else! I do know for a fact that I will be planting these again next year!!
So, now for the truth. Did you think that luffas came from the ocean? 😊
I did actually realise that luffas grew on plants but I had wondered if they would grow in my climate. Seeing your success, though, I would like to give them a go. Do you know which plant family they belong to?
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Cucurbits! We did have a nice warm summer, so I’m sure that helped! I would grow them again just for the bee food source.
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Yes, indeed! And thanks for replying re the plant family. I’ll plan a space for some – and find some seeds.
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The seeds are pretty easy to find online! Let me know how they grow next year!
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Will do!
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I had no idea. This is awesome. Wonder if you could grow these in containers?
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I think that they would grow just fine in a container! The main thing they need is a trellis. They vine like nothing I have seen before!
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OMG, that’s so cool! I want some 😀 And yes, I will confess my ignorance…I totally thought loofa came from the ocean.
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I know, right?!?! They are fun to grow! You should give them a try,if you have some extra garden space. And I’m still shocked that it’s a plant.
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After reading your post, I am absolutely scheming to have them in my garden next spring. Were the seeds difficult to find? I must say, I don’t think I’ve ever seen them in this part of the world.
BTW – I would love to share this. Is it OK if I reblog this post at some point?
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There are loads of them for sale on the inter web. I couldn’t get them locally. And you can absolutely rereblog! Share all about this amazing plant!
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I have to! Might be a few days before I can share this post, but share it I will. I want to find these seeds!
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Hi! A Facebook friend shared this blog on FB and I really enjoyed reading your blog. I had no idea about Luffa plant, where it came from or how it is grown..had no idea! I want to follow you’re blog to learn more things, is there a way to do this, or simply bookmark and look myself to see updates?
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Hi! Thanks for checking out my little blog! Yes, you can follow it! At the top of the page there is something about following the page! I’m also on Facebook and Instagram, if you’re into those! 😊
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I’ll look again, thank you! Yes, I am and will like those as well, I favorited your Etsy page! Not a stalker, I promise, just a new fan! 🙂
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Ha! I don’t think I’m cool enough to stalk! Thanks so much for following me! Birdhouse gourds are my next nifty thing to share!
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I love them! Just too cool!!!
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Thanks!! I’ll post pictures when I make the luffa soap! For now, I’m crafting like a lunatic for Autumn Glory!
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What a fun post!
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They were so fun to watch grow!
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Reblogged this on lifexperimentblog and commented:
I had to share this post. I love luffa, and given that I can’t hop into the ocean to find myself fresh sponges, THIS would be an AWESOME alternative! Anybody know where I can find these seeds?
Thanks to http://www.littlellewellynhomestead.wordpress.com for the fun post!
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Really informative. Truthfully I never thought of them as growing at all, nice write up.
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When I found out that they were plants, I knew I had to try to grow them!
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That was an interesting article on the luffa. I had no idea where they came from or of their history in the world war era. Thank you for sharing your garden with us; such beautiful pictures and what a crop! =)
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Thanks for enjoying the article! Luffas are an amazing crop! I’m hoping to grow them again next year!
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Wonderful, thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience! 🤓
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