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Re: luffas

> >Hi!  I live in West Texas and am interested in growing luffas.  Has
> >anyone done these before?  Can they be done the square foot method
> >and if so how many in a square, etc.?


> Are you talking about luffas as in luffa sponges?  If you are, I
> don't think they could be grown in Texas as they come from a natural
> underwater coral sponge.

Actually, I believe the original question was referring to the
gourds....luffa gourds.  I have not yet grown these successfully
(still learning how to do things!) but you dry them and the outer
coating can be used much like a luffa sponge.  It is quite
attractive (IMO) and, besides being functional, also serves as a
nice decorator item in baskets in the bathroom, along with nice
soaps, some pretty towels, etc.

Since squash can be grown using the square foot method (I did it last
year with good success...until the squash bugs killed them off), I
would presume that the luffa gourds could also be done this way.  I
have never seen a variety that is smaller or miniature, so I would
guess that you'd have to either allot a rather large square to this
crop or grow them upwards (popular in the SQFT method).  Just like
cucumbers or watermelons, cantaloupes, etc., the gourds could be
supported by something soft such as old pantyhose tied to the
trellis, etc., when they get large and heavy.

I understand that the gourds are even edible if they are picked very
small and young.  Apparently it is the older and larger fruits which
are used for the luffa, which is really the outer covering of the
gourd as I understand it.

Remember I've never successfully grown these in my own garden, so
perhaps some of the gardeners on the list who HAVE done this can
provide some more detailed input.

Hope this helps,
Joan
cmathew@airmail.net
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/8098/
USDA gardening zone 7b (just north of Dallas, TX)

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