GOURD-LUFFA ANGLED-SIN QUA

A$3.50

Availability: In stock

Seeds Per Pack: 10

Lagenaria siceraria
GOURD-LUFFA ANGLED-SIN QUA is a running annual vine with rounded leaves & yellow flowers, also called Chinese okra or ridged gourd. The plant has both male & female flowers. The rather large male flowers are bright yellow & occur in clusters. The female flowers are solitary & have the tiny slender ovary attached. The vigorous plant has a heavy fruit set of ridged, dark green, club-shaped fruits that are about 45cm long, 5cm in diametre. The leaves are covered with short hairs & the fruits are ribbed and cylindrical shaped. The young fruit can be used as a cooked vegetable or grown for the fibrous interior.

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

How to Grow Luffa Angled (Sin Qua)

Luffa Angled prefers full sun and well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. The soil pH should be between 6.0 and 7.5.
Plant the seeds directly into the garden after the last frost. Sow the seeds to 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 propagate in a pot following the info above.
Support the plants as Luffa Angled grows 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.
Sin Qua Luffa prefers 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.
Fertilise the plants as Luffa Angled benefits from regular fertilisation. Use a balanced fertiliser every four to six weeks to promote healthy growth.
Harvest the fruit when it is young and tender, typically when it is 10-15cm (4-6 inches) long. If you wait too long to harvest, the fruit will become tough and inedible.
Dry the fruit completely on the vine before removing. Once dry, peel the outer skin to reveal the fibrous interior and use as a natural body scrubber or sponge.

Heritage of Luffa Sin Qua (Angled Luffa)

Luffa Sin Qua Gourd (Angled Luffa), also known as Chinese okra or ridged luffa, is a tropical vine that is native to Asia. It is a member of the Cucurbitaceae family and is related to other gourds such as pumpkins, melons, and cucumbers. The plant produces long, cylindrical fruits with ridges on the surface. The young fruit is edible and used in stir-fries, soups, and salads. People use mature fruits of Luffa Sin Qua Gourd as sponges for cleaning or as natural body loofahs. Luffa Sin Qua Gourd has a long history of cultivation in Asia, where it has been utilised for food, fibre and medicine for thousands of years. Nowadays, it is grown and used worldwide, gaining popularity as a distinctive and versatile vegetable.

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Category Colour Guide
Planting Guide for Australia

Scoville Heat Units (SHU)

Plant Height (cm)

150 - 300

Season of Interest

Summer / Autumn

Temperature Range (°C)

20 - 30

Determine / Indeterminate

Annual / Perennial / Biennial

Annual

Frost Hardy / Tender

Tender

Full Sun / Part Sun / Shade

Full Sun

Sow Direct / Raise Seedlings

sow direct after last frost / Raise seedlings indoors 3-4 weeks before the last frost

Soil

Well-draining sandy loam soil rich in organic matter

6.0 - 6.8

Soil Temperature (°C)

18 - 24

Seed Preparation

Soak seeds in warm water for 24 hours before planting

Sowing Depth (mm)

2.0 - 3.0

Plant Spacing (cm)

45 - 60

Row spacing (cm)

120 - 150

Watering

Regular watering to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged

Germination Time (Days)

5 - 10

Harvest Time (Days)

70 - 90

Good Companion Plants

Beans, Corn, Radish, Carrots, Cucumbers, Marigolds, Nasturtiums

Bad Companion Plants

Potatoes, Tomatoes, Fennel, Dill

Pests

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

Diseases

Powdery mildew, Downy mildew, Anthracnose, Fusarium wilt

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.