tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post40777988258058036..comments2024-03-28T15:55:53.792+10:00Comments on down to earth: Growing and harvesting loofahsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-76095417516709483412011-11-12T09:46:14.913+10:002011-11-12T09:46:14.913+10:00I'm thinking of growing these next year -- I t...I'm thinking of growing these next year -- I think they should do well here in Northern California. We grew some acorn squash on a trellis which worked out fabulously, so I'm thinking the same approach should work for these. Thanks so much for all the great information!Judi @ Frugal Frolichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07328939498385084880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-36544375865685484962011-11-09T04:19:36.851+10:002011-11-09T04:19:36.851+10:00frugal, I think you'd have to be concerned abo...frugal, I think you'd have to be concerned about the humidity there. I've never grown anything in a climate like Darwin's but I think they'd be better when you planted your cucumbers - they're in the same family.rhonda jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08962112306968959985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-25467574844240702422011-11-09T00:19:13.563+10:002011-11-09T00:19:13.563+10:00Hi Rhonda, I live in Darwin. The wet season has co...Hi Rhonda, I live in Darwin. The wet season has come upon us. Is this the time to grow them so they can dry in the dry season. Or do I need to wait for "ANZAC DAY" to plant? That's the time we put in tomatoes and cucumbers.Frugal Down Underhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09720230592936575192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-63564065786455940212011-11-08T23:49:21.960+10:002011-11-08T23:49:21.960+10:00Hi Rhonda, thanks for the great pictures. I've...Hi Rhonda, thanks for the great pictures. I've got some luffah seedlings started and wasn't sure just how big they would get. I was keen to give them a go after reading about them last year. I think I might need to rethink where I put them after seeing the strong trellis you're using. Thanks for the great info.princessscarecrowhttp://www.thelittleblueshack.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-17459882985089844852011-11-08T19:22:25.403+10:002011-11-08T19:22:25.403+10:00Thanks for sharing that info. I tried to grow them...Thanks for sharing that info. I tried to grow them last season, had only one plant which had a lot of flowers but no fruit. Will try again this year hopefully I'm not too late.Cabbage Tree Farmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13035566919486082520noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-27925083563128247952011-11-08T17:30:29.876+10:002011-11-08T17:30:29.876+10:00Yes Carole, plant them now.Yes Carole, plant them now.rhonda jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08962112306968959985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-32986671449415262642011-11-08T17:17:58.946+10:002011-11-08T17:17:58.946+10:00I tried growing loofahs years ago and failed miser...I tried growing loofahs years ago and failed miserably. But now that I know how Good they can be I'm up for the challenge again I think? Would it be too late to plant them now? - similar climate to yours...now to find some seeds...Carolehttp://www.lubelyamai.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-36273934201516810422011-11-08T16:03:01.191+10:002011-11-08T16:03:01.191+10:00Have you tried eating them Rhonda? I can recommen...Have you tried eating them Rhonda? I can recommend them in a stir fry. The ones I used were about the size of a continental cucumber and I sliced them into rounds. They release quite a bit of juice which really flavours the stir fry and would be good in a stew I think.Sandyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09540456562833941487noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-29172406186778541952011-11-08T15:54:37.485+10:002011-11-08T15:54:37.485+10:00Thank you so much for the comprehensive explanatio...Thank you so much for the comprehensive explanation of everything from start to finish. I know you have blogged about loofahs before and appreciate it. I want to thank you too for having a Search on your right side bar for searching your blog. I have used it to find information many times and it is sooo wonderful! I wish more bloggers would have this tool for searching their own blog. I bought loofah seed and I Will give it a try!! :) SarahAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-44491191457855985872011-11-08T15:41:22.115+10:002011-11-08T15:41:22.115+10:00Holy Moly! Who knew? Well... obviously you knew, b...Holy Moly! Who knew? Well... obviously you knew, but I had NO idea that loofahs were a plant... or at least I thought they were a plant that grew in the ocean. I am totally flabbergasted! Thanks for the info!EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-12673448332536164372011-11-08T14:18:08.856+10:002011-11-08T14:18:08.856+10:00I never knew the loofah was a vine plant. I wish ...I never knew the loofah was a vine plant. I wish I could grow them here in the NW United States - but we don't get enough hot weather in the summer. I love trying something different every year in my garden.Karmyn Rhttp://karmynsdreamings.typepad.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-81779796860425462172011-11-08T09:48:59.396+10:002011-11-08T09:48:59.396+10:00We can grow them here (cool climate) however they ...We can grow them here (cool climate) however they need to be started off early under cover/in a greenhouse so the plants are big enough to get a go along and grow whilst the summer is hot. Unfortunately though the frosts kill the vines here and they can't be kept in all year. I have also read that you can't plant loofahs near pumpkins and the like as if they are cross pollinated, the pumpkins and squash become more 'woody' and have no flavour - have you found this? I planted some last year but because we had a very mild summer here they didn't grow big enough. Mine weren't anywhere near as big as yours but good to see a pic of what they should look like! Thank for a great blog - a wealth of information!Murra Mummahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07551315057088246751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-20189458993454532252011-11-08T08:56:24.758+10:002011-11-08T08:56:24.758+10:00What a great organic gift! Will have to try growi...What a great organic gift! Will have to try growing them.<br /><br />Would also love you to share about your yellow criss-cross apron. This is exactly what I would like to make for all the women in my family! Could you show us a photo of the front and back of your beautiful apron please?<br /><br />Thanks in advance,<br /><br />JulieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-70209403308289602782011-11-08T07:47:59.768+10:002011-11-08T07:47:59.768+10:00I do like the idea of growing loofahs, they are g...I do like the idea of growing loofahs, they are great to exfoliate your skin, I like the way you can drizzle your homemade soap through them. I actually thought they grew on trees near the coast but if they're an easy to grow backyard vine then I might just give them a go. I'll add it to my seed list, probably for next year now! :)Gooseberry Jamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00671764088273792304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-89080050961347595692011-11-08T07:11:52.718+10:002011-11-08T07:11:52.718+10:00Helena, it sounds like you had a lot of rain when ...Helena, it sounds like you had a lot of rain when they were drying out. The same thing happened to some of mine. When they're a good size and have gone brown, if you think there will be a lot of rain, pick the loofahs and let them dry in a sheltered place on your verandah.rhonda jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08962112306968959985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-71463779992537541842011-11-08T07:01:07.417+10:002011-11-08T07:01:07.417+10:00I tried growing loofahs for the first time this ye...I tried growing loofahs for the first time this year (you inspired me!). Final tally: 1.5 good loofahs, three that were so rotted inside for some reason I had to throw them out (not sure what went wrong, it's almost like the inside never dried out properly), and one still drying, so the jury's still out on that one. We got a lot of seeds from the good one, though, so we'll replant next year and try again.<br /><br />HelenaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-3513146549908864192011-11-08T06:51:21.540+10:002011-11-08T06:51:21.540+10:00That is cool. I had no clue that loofahs were fro...That is cool. I had no clue that loofahs were from a plant. Great post!Rainy Day Gardenerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06139202327960366363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-82847489252470443072011-11-08T06:42:07.423+10:002011-11-08T06:42:07.423+10:00Tricia Rose, you can use them in the kitchen. They...Tricia Rose, you can use them in the kitchen. They're often cut into thick discs and have soap poured in to set. They won't replace an absorbent dishcloth or sponge though. Loofahs are not that absorbent. However they're very good as a soft scrubber for pans and dishes you don't want to scratch.rhonda jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08962112306968959985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-6000068360956053912011-11-08T06:22:19.029+10:002011-11-08T06:22:19.029+10:00I was one of those people that thought they were l...I was one of those people that thought they were like sea sponges until i read one of your posts a while back! Very sturdy trellis you have there Rhonda...good tip re the mould, i wouldn't have thought of that. <br />Is the best time to plant them now? I don't think i have seen seeds anywhere unfortunately.Am sure the twins would love playing with them if we can get them to grow!<br />Jode xJodehttp://mummymusingsandmayhem.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-60299827925234097142011-11-08T06:17:18.195+10:002011-11-08T06:17:18.195+10:00I think I tried these once and not very successful...I think I tried these once and not very successfully. We lived up in Northumberland in England and the weather was not right for them. However if I can get some seeds I might try them again here is Crete.MyCretanlifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09137407853642602465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-10478030209398768092011-11-08T06:16:16.302+10:002011-11-08T06:16:16.302+10:00I wonder if loofahs would make a good substitute f...I wonder if loofahs would make a good substitute for unhygienic kitchen sponges?Tricia Rose Rough Linenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04677751031571089563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-85577924698532656592011-11-08T05:24:44.585+10:002011-11-08T05:24:44.585+10:00Wow, I feel so naiive...I had no idea that loofahs...Wow, I feel so naiive...I had no idea that loofahs grew on trees! Thankyou for enlightening me! That is so interesting.Noellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03366330062645600734noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-68223149075259362892011-11-08T05:03:55.528+10:002011-11-08T05:03:55.528+10:00That is so weird! I love it xxxxThat is so weird! I love it xxxxThe Snow Childhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15879651666453116628noreply@blogger.com