Smooth Dishcloth Luffa for Sponges

Smooth Luffa for Sponges Loofah Gourd Heirloom Vegetable Seeds

Watch my how to grow luffa from seeds YouTube video tutorial here: https://youtu.be/UveaM3vyA54

This is a great variety of luffa to grow if you want to harvest sponges. Luffa aka Loofah aka dish rag gourd, is a tropical plant and thrives during the hot and rainy summers of Florida and the Southern United States. It is sensitive to cold weather and frost can kill the entire vine. The vines are vigorous, grow quickly, and get very big. Some gardeners like to grow it up a large tree for support. I grow mine on metal trellises because each luffa gets heavy. This is so much fun to grow. The bees and pollinators love the bright yellow flowers. I like to hand pollinate each flower to ensure they will produce a luffa gourd. It is easier to peel the luffa's to get the sponges inside just before it is completely dried out and brown, still at the end of the green stage. I recommend you watch some YouTube videos to see how it is done (video on my YouTube channel coming soon). This does require a long warm growing season to be able to harvest luffa gourds at the right stage for making into sponges, at least 90-120 days.

Follow me on social media because I talk a lot about the same seed varieties I sell here in my shop and gardening tips. IG, YT, and TikTok: jerrasgarden.

Listing is for 1 packet of 10 seeds. *This is available in limited quantities*

PLANTING

Luffa aegyptica syn l. cylindrica

Germination: 14-21 days

Seed Sowing Depth: 1/2” deep

Sowing: Please note, luffa seeds can be hard to germinate. Here are my recommendations for the best germination.
1. Soak seeds for 24 hours. It helps to knick a corner of the seed shell to allow more water into the seed with a nail clipper.

2. It needs warm soil temperatures. Can direct sow once outside temperatures are consistently in the 70F's or above. Or start seeds in doors 4 weeks before your last frost date. In warmer climates (zones +9) can also direct sow or start seeds in June/July to get another harvest before winter comes.

3. If your going to start seeds in doors, sow in solo cups or larger pots because they grow quickly.

4. I highly recommend the use of a heat mat to speed up germination. I start seeds in solo cups, place them inside a plastic tote/storage box with a heat mat at the bottom, then seal the top with plastic wrap. This will trap heat and humidity which will help increase germination. Once they germinate, remove the plastic top and place under grow lights. I use 5000K shop lights.

Days to maturity: 90-120 days

Terms and conditions READ THIS PLEASE:
- Seeds will be shipped with no planting instructions to keep seed costs low to the buyer. Germination and plant care information is included in the description. I encourage each gardener to research specifics on how to be successful growing them. I also have lots of information on my TikTok, Instagram and YouTube channel all under the account name jerrasgarden. I started this shop to share my love of certain seed varieties and spread the knowledge of gardening. Please contact me if you cant find information or have additional questions.

- No returns or refunds once shipped. I am not responsible for lost or damaged packages caused by USPS. Since there are so many factors that affect germination and growing success, no refunds or exchanges are allowed once seeds have shipped. These are the same seeds I use in my personal garden so I can attest to their viability. Seeds are fresh season to season.

- Availability of seed in this shop varies depending on what I have decided to grow that season. With that said, please be advised that seeds are available in limited quantities. Once sold out they may or may not be available again.