Questions on Gourd Luffa

16 years ago

This is a new one for me. A friend gave me a seed packet of Gourd Luffa (Luffa aegyptiaca) and I have successfully sprouted them in trays. After checking out a few sites, I'm hearing many pros and cons. (Many more pros than cons)

The coolest property of this gourd is that not only is it a vegetable but it can also be dried out and used as a sponge. (After the vegetable reaches maturity, you can peel off the skin and immerse in bleach and then cut into individual sponges.) It's apparently a VERY fast grower and I've read that it can cover a fence area pretty quickly. I also read that unfortunately, they can attract flies and give off an unpleasant aroma.

Has anyone grown this gourd and do you have any helpful information to pass along?

Again, thanks in advance,

Sue

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Comments (6)

nova_gw
16 years ago
I will be watching your post with interest since I am also trying them for the first time this year after seeing them at Kanapaha Gardens last summer. Here is a picture I took of the gourd while at the gardens -

The blooms were really cool too!

nova
katkin_gw
16 years ago
I grew it for several years and have enough luffas to last me a life time. It has pretty yellow flowers the bees just love. I never had any problems with flies. It did cover the fence quickly. I guess you could eat them when very small, but with other much better tasting veggies why bother.
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corar4gw
16 years ago
Like Kat, one crop of luffa has lasted me about half a life time. I gave a LOT of them away! They are edible when very small - think baby zucchini. Never had a problem with flies and agree the bees love them. They grow rapidly and are heavy feeders. To harvest the mature luffa, allow them to dry on the vine - the stem should be thoroughly dry. If necessary, hang them in the garage or in a dry place until the skin is brittle dry. That makes them much easier to "peel". You will be amazed at the number (thousands!) of seeds in each luffa. They're also known as "Mexican dishrag" and are tough enough to use as a (grease) packing gland on boat propeller shafts. Like any sponge, rinse them thoroughly after bathing, or scrubbing the love bugs off your car and they will last a VERY long time. cora
suegrew
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks all for the responses. I'm excited about planting my seedlings (I have about 25) into the ground. Just a few more questions...
Kat, would you recommend I purchase a trellis of some kind? I'm afraid our fairly new wooden privacy fence may get too weighted down with the gourds.(And will the vines really take hold of the wood? We just stained our fence) 2nd question, will direct sun fry them? Last question (for now anyway) what fertilizer would you recommend?
Again, thanks nova for the photo and to Kat and Cora for your info. It's always such a pleasure reading advice from all you knowledgeable gardeners and knowing that it is possible to be successful when dealing with a particuliar plant. (And in our sandy soil)
Again, thanks guys,
Sue.
katkin_gw
16 years ago
For me the vine grew so much, a trellis would not have been big enough. I don't remember for sure but I don't think it was the kind of vine that attaches to the fence, but it was at least 20 feet long and thick. I never fetilized mine so they only got to be about 10 inches long, but there were plenty of them. If you get them longer you can always cut them in half. After I had mine peeled and seeded I soaked them in a clorox solution to remove mold and make them white. Hubby uses them for the boat too. :o)
corar4gw
16 years ago
--- as for fertilizer - should you decide to use it - whatever you would use on cucumbers would be just fine. cora