Warmth is the key to sprouting luffa seeds. I read a study where they tried various forms of "encouragement", such as nicking the seeds, giberillic acid, soaking in water, etc. Warmth was the only one to show results. I just sprouted 8 seeds by placing them inside a few paper towels, soaking it with water, and placing the folded towel onto a "pet warmer" for about a week (make sure to keep it moist). The pet warmer is a plastic covered heating unit that fits inside a pillow and is for keeping cats or dogs warm during winter. Now I get to find out if they will stand the shock of transplanting outside into my pots...

The reason I posted the question was because I was not sure if I should bother planting them, since we have a short growing season. But....I planted 4 seeds in a pot outside and 4 in a little cell pack indoors. The seeds in the cell pack indoors germinated a couple of days ago (no sign of the ones outside, yet!). I will transplant the seedlings next week. Will let you know how it goes.

As something of a garden experimenter, I have grown gooseneck gourds in five gallon buckets. This was last year. I didn't get a large crop and the gourds were smaller than the ones planted in the ground, but the technique worked. Like any vegetable planted in such a small container, the trickiest part is keeping them watered. This year, I put two 64 quart bags of Miracle Grow potting mix on their sides next to a five foot wire fence. I cut three holes in the top of the bags and planted luffas. I also slipped four drip emitters into each bag and hooked them up to my drip watering system. The luffas have been very successful and have produced a good quantity of large fruit much earlier than the luffas I planted in the ground. I did no pruning. This is my first year with luffas. I tried the bags in order to see how well the plants would perform before committing to preparing beds along the fence. Now, I'll be ready for next summer with proper beds and proper spacing. And, yes, I will be pruning the vines. I've got luffas growing twenty feet up in my neighbor's trees. These things grow like kudzu. Joe

I had to look this one up as i have never seen Luffa described as a squash before. The one Burpee has is a Luffa cylindrica (smooth sponge gourd). It is also sold as dishrag gourd, Chinese okra, vine okra,etc. There are numerous varieties but Burpee seems to be a generic one. Most folks in this country let them mature, dry and use for bath sponges. When very young they can used as an okra substitute. Very popular vegetable in Asia, but not in North America.