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GOURD-LUFFA

GOURD-LUFFA

A$3.20

Availability: In stock

Seeds Per Pack: 10

Luffa cylindrica
GOURD-LUFFA is a vigorous annual vine. Young fruits are used as a squash substitute, mature fruits are dried and used as a bathroom sponge. Sow in spring.  Sap in the Luffa vines and leaves contains a bitter compound with a musky smell that seems to repel insects and animals. When fully matured, you peel off the dried & crisp outer shell to expose the fibrous sponge. To clean your Luffa, you wash it in clean water & then soak it in a solution of bleach & water & allow to dry in the sun.

Soak seed in warm water for 2 hours before sowing. Germinate singly in pots, at 20-30°C (68-86F) on the surface of a good free draining, damp seed compost. Apply a sprinkling of compost or vermiculite, 6mm (¼in) thick. Seal container inside a polythene bag until after germination. Do not exclude light at any stage as this is beneficial to germination.

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How to Grow Gourd Luffa

  1. Luffa Gourd prefers full sun and well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. The soil pH should be between 6.0 and 7.5.
  2. Plant the seeds directly into the garden after the last frost. Plant the seeds at a depth of 2.5cm (1 inch) and space them 60cm (24 inches) apart. Keep the soil consistently moist until the seeds germinate, which typically takes 7-14 days.  Or follow the directions above to propagate in a container or polyethene bag.
  3. Support the plants as Luffa Gourds grow as a vine and will need support as it grows. You can use a trellis or other support system to keep the plants off the ground.
  4. Water the plants as required to maintain consistently moist soil. Water the plants deeply once or twice a week, depending on the weather. Avoid over watering the plants, as this can lead to root rot.
  5. Fertilise the plants as Luffa Gourd benefits from regular fertilisation. Use a balanced fertiliser every four to six weeks to promote healthy growth.
  6. Harvest the fruit when it is young and tender, typically when it is 15-20cm (6-8 inches) long. If you wait too long to harvest, the fruit will become tough and inedible.
  7. Dry the fruit after harvesting.  Allow the fruit to dry completely on the vine before removing and peeling off the brown dry skin to revel the fibrous interior.  Many people use the fibrous interior as a natural scrubber or sponge.

Heritage of Luffa Gourds

Luffa is believed to have originated in Southeast Asia, specifically in the region encompassing India, China, and Vietnam. Trade and exploration spread it to other parts of Asia, Africa, and the Americas.

People have cultivated luffa for thousands of years due to its versatility. It finds applications both in culinary and non-culinary contexts. Some cultures consume young and tender luffa fruits in various dishes, while others primarily utilize mature fruits for their fibrous structure.

Traditionally, the fibrous interior of mature luffa fruits serves as a natural scrubbing sponge or loofah. These sponges have widespread use in exfoliating the skin, cleaning household items, and even providing natural padding for traditional footwear.

Luffa’s heritage intertwines deeply with traditional agriculture and local customs in many regions. Different luffa varieties and cultivars have emerged and adapted to suit specific climates, preferences, and growing conditions. This has resulted in various luffa types, including smooth-skinned and ridged-skinned varieties, each possessing distinct characteristics and applications.

Overall, luffa has a rich heritage that spans across continents and cultures, with a long history of practical applications and cultural significance.

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Category Colour Guide
Planting Guide for Australia

Scoville Heat Units (SHU)

Plant Height (cm)

300 - 600

Season of Interest

Summer

Temperature Range (°C)

20 - 35

Determine / Indeterminate

Annual / Perennial / Biennial

Annual

Frost Hardy / Tender

Tender

Full Sun / Part Sun / Shade

Full Sun

Sow Direct / Raise Seedlings

Sow Direct

Soil

Well-draining fertile soil

pH

6.0 - 7.0

Soil Temperature (°C)

25 - 30

Seed Preparation

Soak seeds in warm water for 24 hours before sowing

Sowing Depth (mm)

2.0 - 3.0

Plant Spacing (cm)

150 - 200

Row spacing (cm)

150 - 200

Watering

Regular watering to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged

Germination Time (Days)

7 - 14

Harvest Time (Days)

60 - 90

Good Companion Plants

Sweet Potato, Beans, Corn, Peas, Radish, Cucumber, Melons, Squash

Bad Companion Plants

Nightshade plants (tomatoes, peppers, eggplants), Potatoes

Pests

Aphids, Whiteflies, Spider Mites, Fruit Flies, Cucumber Beetles, Thrip, Fruit Borers, Leafhopper

Diseases

Powdery mildew, Downy mildew, Anthracnose, Fusarium wilt, Bacterial wilt, Viral Diseases

More About Us

ABSeeds is an Australian owned business trading under the umbrella of Direct Compost Solutions which is owned and managed by Victoria Brun.

We as a company endeavor to provide to the public, Organic, Old Fashioned, Heritage, and Open-pollinated seeds that have not been genetically modified.

We purchased the business in November 2018 and renamed it to ABSeeds (All ‘Bout Seeds) to make the title shorter and represent what we hope to achieve with this business in the years ahead.

Seeds that we can’t grow ourselves we will acquire from people who grow for us, or we may purchase seeds from reputable heritage seed companies.

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