Unlike growing radishes or microgreens , grow loofahs is a long term consignment . It was meek where I live in Sydney in August , and the vine was still producing fruit in July of the next twelvemonth .
Loofahs are best left to dry on the vine . When their skin turn dark-brown and brittle and their fibrous flesh dries into what we call a loofah parasite , they are ready to be picked . Take a aspect at the picture above .
I have been picking gourds all summertime . By mid - July , the flora was lento dying from the cold , but I still had three green , weighed down gourds on the vine that showed no signaling of turning Robert Brown . It rained hard for a while , and two of them bug out to rot . It was time to get rid of them .
It took a little over a month of daily sunbathing when it was n’t rain down and contribute it at bottom at sunset to get rid of the third one . It was still green and sonorous .
I had already piece gourd that were almost dry and put them on the windowsill to dry out ( see picture above ) , turning them over every so often . This method work out , but the smaller calabash was contraband on one last and green on the other , and the bigger gourd ( in the first picture ) got a glaring vile pot at the bottom that leak sap . There was no chance these could be dried indoors .
Could they be saved ? I ’m proud of to say that my trial run was a success . I wrote down every stone’s throw of how to dry out a green loofah that was beginning to decompose , but I was in a hurry and block to take pictures of the cognitive operation .
Loofahs , also known as luffas , are a type of gourd that can be grown and harvested to make born exfoliating sponge While they may seem exotic , loofahs are comparatively well-to-do to grow in many climates With some patience and care , you’re able to have homegrown loofah sponger to utilize in the bathroom or shower . Here ’s a step - by - footstep guide on how to glean loofah plant .
Choosing a Variety
There are two primary coinage of loofah calabash
Luffa aegyptiaca – produces unruffled stretch fruit
Luffa acutangula – acquire ridges fruits with angled form
Both can be used to make sponger , so choose whichever salmagundi you favour . calculate for heirloom seed from reputable source to ensure you get plant life that will grow true to type .
Planting the Seeds
Loofahs can be grown as annuals in most climate . They demand full Dominicus exposure and well - run out dirt . embed the seeds directly in the dry land after all danger of frost has go past .
Make little Hill or cumulation of dirt about 1 groundwork asunder and industrial plant 2 - 3 seeds in each . Thin to one seedling per hill once they sprout . The vines need way to straggle and rise upward . establish a trellis or fencing for them to grow on .
Caring for the Plants
Loofah vine require about 1 - 2 column inch of water per week . Use drip irrigation or give them a exhaustive sousing when the top inch of ground feels teetotal . Fertilize every 2 - 3 weeks with a balanced liquid plant food .
The vine require to be kept trim and trained onto the support complex body part . Tuck stray tendrils back onto the trellis and prune any giantism . ascertain for pests like aphid and beetles and address organically if needed .
Identifying When Loofahs Are Ripe
It take 90 - 120 days for loofah fruit to mature . You ’ll first see male and female flowers bloom on the vine . If pollinated , the distaff flower develop into fruits . The unripe loufah sponge look like petite cucumber or squash .
The fruit need to be left on the vine until completely ripe and ironic . advanced Luffa cylindrica turn yellowish or brown and feel lightweight when pick up . The skin also becomes wry and brittle when gently shove .
Harvesting the Gourds
Use pruner to cautiously snip the loofah yield from the vine , leaving a piece of stem attached . Be gentle to avoid damage the vines . Harvest all the mature gourd and move them to a strong , dry , well - air out area out of direct sunlight .
An affiliated service department , caducous , or covered patio are unspoilt spot . set the fruit out on screen or conducting wire racks so zephyr can circulate around them . Let them heal for 1 - 2 calendar week . The vegetable sponge are ready when the tegument is crispy and you could hear the seeds rattling inside when shake .
Removing the Outer Skin and Seeds
Once fully dried , the tough outer skin need to be removed to give away the squishy interior . Take the calabash alfresco and wear baseball glove for this messy chore .
Using a rubber mallet or hammer , hard exploit each loofah to snap the skin . Peel it away with your finger , working from the ends toward the center . Rinse off any junk under running water .
Next , trend off the dry out stem and flower ends with pruners . arrest the loofah over a bucket and shake out all the seeds at bottom . you’re able to save the seeds to set next year .
Drying and Curing the Sponges
The harvested loofa still need to be dry to murder any remaining wet and bleach out them to a lighter gloss . flow them or lie down them out in direct Lord’s Day for 1 - 2 days , bringing them in at night .
To further white and disinfect the sponges , hock them in a solution of 1 teaspoonful bleach per gallon of piddle for 15 - 20 minutes . rinse off thoroughly and allow to dry out whole before use .
Store terminate loofah sponge in a cool , dry place . They can last for many months when decent cured and maintained . Your homemade loofahs are ready to gently exfoliate !
Extra Uses for Loofah Sponges
Beyond the shower , loufah sponge sponges have many employment around the home :
Grow your own sustainable loofah sponge for free using these elementary horticulture proficiency . With some practice , you ’ll be harvest bumper crops of this versatile works .
How to Dry Green Loofah / Luffa
Here ’s the goal result . I ’m very pleased I was able to salvage some of what I have spend month growing and parent .
Though it takes a while to dry a greenish , advanced , or in this sheath , rot loofah , it ’s well deserving the extra work after months of grow the yield on the vine .
Harvest Luffa (loofah) and Make Sponges!!
FAQ
Can I glean loofah while green ?
How to dry out loofah after pluck ?
When to peck loofah to rust ?
