tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post2470273258203409526..comments2024-03-28T15:55:53.792+10:00Comments on down to earth: Growing Luffas / LoofahsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-36657855703100573132014-04-07T15:43:29.212+10:002014-04-07T15:43:29.212+10:00I've just purchased my first Luffa Seeds, I ca...I've just purchased my first Luffa Seeds, I can't wait to give them a go!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07749565738071268883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-25182748734661231092009-08-19T17:35:46.133+10:002009-08-19T17:35:46.133+10:00Hi Rhonda
I grew luffas for the first time this ye...Hi Rhonda<br />I grew luffas for the first time this year and have had six good size luffas. The base for the vine looks dead but the end has shot off and is producing babies and flowers. Do I pull it out and start another vine, Has about 30 fruit on it.<br />JosJoshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05588993945519610743noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-26022036704480970242009-05-15T17:36:00.000+10:002009-05-15T17:36:00.000+10:00Can you tell me how tall the loofa plants grow to ...Can you tell me how tall the loofa plants grow to be?<br /><br />Wonderful blogsite, btw! Thank you!Laurie Yorkhttp://www.laurieyorkphotography.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-70530200076911118582009-05-02T09:05:00.000+10:002009-05-02T09:05:00.000+10:00Rhonda, The last time I was here you inspired me t...Rhonda, The last time I was here you inspired me to try growing loofahs. A friend and I are trying to get our families 'back-to-the-basics' including growing our own foods, making gifts, etc. I just received my loofah seeds and can't wait to get started. My girls (10 & 8) are excited about them too. My friend wants the first one and my husband is hoping we'll harvest enough to have for gifts and to make a few dollars on top of it. Oh, and I plan to try the laundry soap too. Thanks for the inspiration! Kate (Upstate New York, USA)Katenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-49950818115060552542009-04-10T14:17:00.000+10:002009-04-10T14:17:00.000+10:00Well there you go! I officially learned something...Well there you go! I officially learned something new today. I had no idea where loofahs came from. Thanks!<BR/><BR/>JodiJodinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-61295680624988275192009-02-22T13:12:00.000+10:002009-02-22T13:12:00.000+10:00My father grows loofah's in Far North Qld - climat...My father grows loofah's in Far North Qld - climate is great for them. I find they last ages in the shower! I've had one for about 4 years! They also are the best scourers for the kitchen.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-91741677380635949492009-02-21T01:58:00.000+10:002009-02-21T01:58:00.000+10:00I would just like to say to everyone that is excit...I would just like to say to everyone that is excited to get luffas growing now that it's important that the seeds are kept good and warm for germination. That is the biggest mistake I see people make (including me, once!) is trying to start these when it's just too cold. These like HEAT! I would suggest that you need to have LOW temperatures no lower than the high 60's(F) before attempting to germinate luffas, warmer is even better. So, if you are going to start them in containers, you need a way to keep the soil warm (and be sure to water with warm water, not cold!). Where I am in Florida, I've found it best to start these in mid summer when it's hot since they germinate easily then and they are ending in the fall when the rains are also ending. In areas with shorter seasons, you have no choice but to start in the spring, but trying to start them when it's cold without providing heat for germination will be disappointing. Ideally, the soil temp should be kept in the mid 70's (F) for good germination on luffas.<BR/><BR/>-OnaleeOnaleehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18444109889275625968noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-70269084856603068562009-02-20T11:34:00.000+10:002009-02-20T11:34:00.000+10:00I would love to grow them. Not sure if they will ...I would love to grow them. Not sure if they will make it in Maine but I may give them a try. Are the seeds called Luffas?Country Girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04391306626662391336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-35199805824323766982009-02-20T09:21:00.000+10:002009-02-20T09:21:00.000+10:00Thank you for this great post and the seed info. R...Thank you for this great post and the seed info. Right after reading I went and ordered some loofah seeds. Now I can't wait to get started. Hope they'll do well in AL...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-1075232832581291492009-02-20T08:14:00.000+10:002009-02-20T08:14:00.000+10:00HiI hesitated to write, because you get so many co...Hi<BR/>I hesitated to write, because you get so many comments! But I wanted to thank you for welcoming me into your blog. It is so refreshing to read about people living simply, as well as to get some good ideas and tips. I did peruse your archives and I felt like I was wrapping myself in a warm blanket.<BR/>Thank you! And please don't worry about responding! Your blog is response enough!Cassandrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07276060560152426090noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-7379839994580447212009-02-20T08:10:00.000+10:002009-02-20T08:10:00.000+10:00Good Day Rhonda...I got a query for you...My girls...Good Day Rhonda...<BR/>I got a query for you...<BR/>My girls (chickens) have not all been laying, yet I find these large dung that look white on part of it as if it could be a ill formed egg maybe any Idea?Donettahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13530145585581721795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-15838594464801455932009-02-20T00:40:00.000+10:002009-02-20T00:40:00.000+10:00I just read an interesting article about someone t...I just read an interesting article about someone trying to grow Loofah in chilly Minnesota (where I live). They got them to grow quite large, but our growing season wasn't long enough to get them "ripe". Bummer. I'd love to try this. <BR/><BR/>I wonder if we couldn't start the plants now and they'll be quite a ways along by May. Of course, I'd have to have the room for this!!<BR/><BR/>Great article. Thank you.Elizabethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17922051288747124518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-33148907711817311412009-02-20T00:16:00.000+10:002009-02-20T00:16:00.000+10:00That is so cool! I didn't actually know where the...That is so cool! I didn't actually know where they came from.Alliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16603700427096296937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-37307083106507113212009-02-19T16:20:00.000+10:002009-02-19T16:20:00.000+10:00Francine, I'll have those photos when I harvest th...Francine, I'll have those photos when I harvest the luffas. There are links to places where to buy the seeds. If they have a choice, go for the smooth luffa.<BR/><BR/>Solomon, I think cuttlefish was a good guess. : - )<BR/><BR/>Carmell, yes, they're called loofahs or luffas. You want the smooth loofah if they have a choice of two. I have left links to places where you might purchase seeds at the bottom of the post.<BR/><BR/>I'm pleased he likes the scones, Gail.<BR/><BR/>Karen, my vines only last one season.<BR/><BR/>Chris, it's too late to start growing them now. They need several months of hot weather to produce female flowers. You've have to wait till next spring.<BR/><BR/>Marjon, welcome and thank you for your lovely comment.<BR/><BR/>Sarah, it's good to see you've hung on this long. : - )<BR/><BR/>Julie, they are a tropical plant so you need to create that kind of microclimate, without going overboard with the water. They love heat and humidity. Don't give up and give them another go next year. Our crop this year was nothing like previous years so this year might be a bad one all over.<BR/><BR/>Hi Don, thanks. :- )<BR/><BR/>Judy, they usually do bleach them, I do too, because it stops mildew forming in the fibres. However, I would hope you still have viable seeds. To test them, soak two seeds for 24 hours. Then wet some paper towel or newspaper and let the water soak in so you have moist, but not dripping wet, paper. Put the seeds in and roll the paper up with the sides pulled in and the seeds completely enclosed. Leave it in a warm spot and make sure the paper stays moist. Leave it for one week then peek in to see if you have a sprout. If not, keep the paper moist, leave another week and check again. If there is no sprout then, they aren't viable.Rhonda Jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00175785349529109084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-56126206824760913712009-02-19T15:06:00.000+10:002009-02-19T15:06:00.000+10:00I buy raw loofah every year and there are always l...I buy <A HREF="http://www.naturalbathandbodyshop.com/loofah-in-the-raw.html" REL="nofollow">raw loofah</A> every year and there are always loose seeds that come in the package. I was wondering if those seeds would germinate. The loofah I buy is usually very lightly colored, so I assume they may bleach the gourds before shipping..any ideas?Judy S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/18109637985882659387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-65545064121560516952009-02-19T13:01:00.000+10:002009-02-19T13:01:00.000+10:00very cool. I am going to plant some this year. I l...very cool. I am going to plant some this year. I love trellises.<BR/><BR/>I love your blog! It is always so entertaining and informative,<BR/><BR/>thank youDonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16831577769797947426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-87725224781768035052009-02-19T12:04:00.000+10:002009-02-19T12:04:00.000+10:00Hi Rhonda,This is my first year growing luffas and...Hi Rhonda,<BR/>This is my first year growing luffas and sadly, they've done diddly squat! I would have thought they'd do better than normal this far south because it's been so hot and dry, but instead the vines have quite small leaves and no sign of any flowers at all. I try not to overwater but perhaps I've been too cautious and not fertilised enough? Otherwise they look healthy. *Shrug*<BR/><BR/>Cheers, JulieMinni Mumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05380570737780717931noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-62240134743650592062009-02-19T11:10:00.000+10:002009-02-19T11:10:00.000+10:00I remember growing loofah's as a child - my mother...I remember growing loofah's as a child - my mother taught me how to turn them into sponges. It was great fun and I hope to do it again someday.Sweet Birdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10821739270102885382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-10819045676951487852009-02-19T11:04:00.000+10:002009-02-19T11:04:00.000+10:00Your other luffa post is what brought me to your b...Your other luffa post is what brought me to your blog over a year ago!<BR/><BR/>I tried growing them here (Idaho) and it didn't work well. We had a long, cold spring and an early, cold fall. *sigh*Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01060662533625106100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-8590578410035548672009-02-19T10:41:00.000+10:002009-02-19T10:41:00.000+10:00Hello Rhonda, I'm one of your new readers and not ...Hello Rhonda, <BR/><BR/>I'm one of your new readers and not usually in the habit of leaving comments on blogs, but I must tell you that I feel like I found a big treasure when I discovered your blog! I absolutely love what I've read so far. It is great to find someone who writes so well about the things I am passionate about, and it is also nice to be on the same side of the globe (I'm in NZ). I was born in the Netherlands, and follow quite a few northern hemisphere blogs, and often feel either homesick or out of step when people write about their seasonal activities. It was like coming home to see all your photos, especially of your simple living books, most of which are on my shelf as well. <BR/><BR/>So THANK YOU for your treasure trove of a blog, and please excuse me while I dive right back in ;o)<BR/><BR/>Marjon.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-74874825994707175102009-02-19T09:56:00.000+10:002009-02-19T09:56:00.000+10:00How funny that you should post this now! I just sa...How funny that you should post this now! I just saw an ad in my state's Market Bulletin and there is someone selling loofah seeds. I am going to buy them and give them a try this year. My husband or I neither knew until just recently that this was a vegetable. I hope I get some to make it.<BR/><BR/>CassandraThe Thinkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13819784845039138017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-90026064511243414582009-02-19T09:27:00.000+10:002009-02-19T09:27:00.000+10:00I knew luffas could be used for skin exfoliating s...I knew luffas could be used for skin exfoliating sponges (bought enough in my time) but thanks for the tip about disks for the kitchen sink!<BR/><BR/>I've got seeds for these now, do you think it would be too late to plant a crop? I live in a climate zone similar to Ipswich, Qld.<BR/><BR/>Frosts appear to be rare and light if any.Chris https://www.blogger.com/profile/13715819899708384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-85296433989754796472009-02-19T09:11:00.000+10:002009-02-19T09:11:00.000+10:00I'd love to try planting these this summer but the...I'd love to try planting these this summer but the growing season here isn't long enough. I'll watch yours grow though!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-77530098829122137342009-02-19T09:03:00.000+10:002009-02-19T09:03:00.000+10:00Lady Katherine (who I think reads your blog) recen...Lady Katherine (who I think reads your blog) recently sent me some of her seeds. I can't wait to try them! Since I'm in Georgia I think they should do pretty well here.<BR/><BR/>ManuelaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-2635276211009700052009-02-19T08:58:00.000+10:002009-02-19T08:58:00.000+10:00Great info Rhonda I had not idea you could grow th...Great info Rhonda I had not idea you could grow them!<BR/>I will give them a try. I'm sure they will do quite well here in Melbourne. <BR/>SerenaSerena Bateshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06633337796795609011noreply@blogger.com