Growing Luffa, also Loofah, plant sponge

Cucurbitcaea : Cucurbitaceae / the gourd family

Apr	May	Jun
S	S
		T
		P

(Best months for growing Luffa in USA - Zone 5a regions)

S = Plant undercover in seed trays
T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
P = Sow seed

Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 68°F and 86°F. (Show °C/cm)
Space plants: 18 - 30 inches apart
Harvest in 11-12 weeks. Use as a back scratcher.
Compatible with (can grow beside): Peas, Beans, Onions, Sweetcorn
Avoid growing close to: Potatoes

Your comments and tips

21 Sep 22, Bee-Pie (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate): Early spring. Do it now.
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09 Mar 22, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate): https://www.gardenate.com/plant/Luffa It is right there in the calendar.
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09 Mar 21, Vasie Naicker (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate): HI there, where can one purchase loofer seeds online?
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10 Mar 21, Anonymous (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate): Internet search where to buy luffa, or seed suppliers on-line
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02 Feb 20, Hanmelie (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate): We're can I buy loofah seeds in Gauteng?
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17 Feb 21, Gladwin (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate): send me your address and I'll post a few for you to plant.
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03 Feb 20, anon (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate): Look up seed selling companies on the internet in SA.
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24 Jan 20, NIEK VAN WYK (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate): Can seeds be planted in container eg CIRCILAR CONTAINER 550mm HIGH X 800mm DIAMETER (One seed per above container) Will appreciate backfeed Thank you
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28 Jan 20, James Linn (USA - Zone 8a climate): That is how I planted mine and I had 2 vines probably 40 to 50 foot spread, 1 vine each pot.
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27 Jan 20, anonymous (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate): If you read the notes here it says plant 45-75cm apart. Your pots are 80cm diameter.
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Replying to:

I grew Luffa's in ACT, hoping maybe to get some loofahs from them. They took a while to really get going (after a good rain) then the vine took off, but wasn't til towards the end of Summer that any flowers finally came on. I was surprised they actually formed fruit, and thought it was too late by then anyway, but then they grew & grew, and even into Autumn, the vine & fruit were still green and growing well. I didn't do anything particular to help them grow, but perhaps will try pinching the tips to encourage more female flowers next year! I was going to leave them on the vine to dry, but a few mornings of frost put an end to that. I took off the large fruit, and the next day, the frost had killed the vine anyway. I am trying to dry the fruit out on the sunny laundry windowsill, and hope that does the trick!

- dixiebelle

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Gardenate

Keep your garden growing - see what to plant right now

Growing Luffa, also Loofah, plant sponge

Cucurbitcaea : Cucurbitaceae / the gourd family

Your comments and tips

Gardenate

Keep your garden growing - see what to plant right now

Growing Luffa, also Loofah, plant sponge

Cucurbitcaea : Cucurbitaceae / the gourd family

Your comments and tips

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