Organic Luffa/Loofa Sponge Gourd (5 Seeds)
R25.00
Luffa is a genus of tropical and subtropical vines in the pumpkin, squash and gourd family. In everyday non-technical usage, the luffa, also spelled loofah or less frequently loofa, usually refers to the fruits of the species Luffa aegyptiaca and Luffa acutangula.
It often takes 8 months until the gourds are harvested as sponges. Plant luffa seeds in fertile soil after the danger of frost has passed.
Luffa is taken by mouth for treating and preventing colds. It is also used for nasal swelling and sinus problems. Some people use it for arthritis pain, muscle pain, and chest pain. Women use luffa to restore absent menstrual periods.
Growing luffas is exciting, as each plant produces several gourds. If they’re grown in optimal conditions, gardeners will get between 10 and 40 gourds per plant.
Important information:
Seeds purchased from LIHM are non-refundable and non-returnable
They are open pollinated and untreated, non GMO
It is the clients responsibility to research whether the seeds are suitable for there local area
Due to our lack of control over the buyers cultivation practice and weather conditions, we cannot be held responsible if seeds do not germinate.
5 X SEEDS PER PACK
16 in stock
Description
To grow a luffa plant you will need:
- Luffa seeds
- Compost
- Small plant pots
- Large clear plastic box with a lid
- Large plant pots or grow bags
- Prunning scissors
- Twine and long sticks (optional)
- Thermometer (optional)
- Luffa seeds.
2. In late August or early September, fill small pots with compost and bury the luffa seeds 1.5-2 centimetres deep. Water them well.
Germination happens between 25-30°C and takes about 20 days. You could use a thermometer placed in the box to keep track of the temperature inside.
3. Carefully repot your plants in grow bags or large pots outdoors once they have a few leaves and the risk of frost has passed.
Place the plants against a sheltered but sunny wall or trellis. As the plants grow you could use twine and canes to help support rambling branches.
Keep the compost moist but try not to overwater the plants. Yellow flowers will soon emerge, and then long green fruits will begin to grow.
4. Leave the fruit to turn brown and dry out on the vine. When they have, use a pair of secateurs to harvest the fruit.
Peel the tough exterior skin away to reveal the fibrous interior – this is the loofah sponge – and shake out the seeds. Keep the seeds safe and dry so that you can grow a new crop of luffa plants next year.
5. Wash the loofah in warm water and allow it to dry before using it for the first time.
6. Use your new loofah as an exfoliating bath sponge or for washing up in the kitchen. You can use the sponge whole or it can be easily cut into rounds or flat pads, depending on your needs.
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