Yesterday I noticed there were a few loofah that were dry enough to pull from the vines.
Loofah
When they’re ready to pick, they’re very shriveled looking and when shaken, the seeds rattle around inside. The next to end one on the right could have been left a little longer but the vines/leaves are so thick, it’s hard to see the actual gourd.
They can be left to dry on the vine, which is my preference, or they can be picked and placed in a dry area to dry out. I’ll let all of mine dry on the vine until there’s a frost coming and then I’ll pick the ones left on the vine and let them dry inside.
It looks like we’re going to have a great crop of loofah this year. I’m always happy when I get enough seeds for next year’s crop and the seeds just from those four are enough for several years!
Loofah Seeds
My initial seeds came from an old guy in Kentucky. I passed by his house when Chad was in elementary school and one day I stopped and asked him what was growing and he handed me a few seeds. Almost every year since, I’ve grown loofah and shared seeds with friends.
Loofah
I sat out on the porch last night and peeled the four I had picked. They’re very easy to peel. Bang them against something hard and the shell cracks and comes right off.
Loofah Skins
I threw the skins on top of the lemon trees. They have to provide some kind of nutrient .. or at least they’re good for mulch.
When it was shower time last night, I couldn’t wait to cut off a slice of home grown loofah!
Loofah Slice
Looking at it from the top, these “tubes” run the whole length of the gourd and that’s where all the seeds are so once the bottom of the skin is removed, the dry seeds just shake right out.
Loofah Slice
When using them in the shower, when I’m finished with the shower, I hang the loofah on a little hook (through those holes) and it dries back to its original state. I only use them every 3 or 4 nights on my legs, arms, feet . . just kinda gets the dead skin off. One slice will easily last a week or two before I toss it. The loofah slices also make great dish scrubbers.
I love that I’ve been growing loofah for at least 12 years . . maybe longer . . from those few seeds given to me by the old guy in Kentucky.
Jan Moorman says
I wonder
if loofah will grow in Ohio? I don’t think I’ve ever seen seeds, but it looks like something I’d like to try.
Swooze says
Would you be willing to share a few seeds 😀
Bonnie Tucker says
Judy I find this truly amazing. I read your blog everyday. I have tried many different things by following your blog. If you have any extra seeds I would love to try to grow loofah. Thanks
jennifer says
you’re an amazing gardener! I wonder if you’d be willing to share some seeds with me? I live in NE PA. do you think they’d grow here?
jennifer says
we live in zone 5b. we live by a creek, so have a little micro-climate of our own… I’d try them out side, but I think they’d grow well in the high tunnel, too.
katie says
Just wondered, is there a limited time you can use fresh loofah? Does it fall apart or lose it’s ruffness? I have used the ones from the stores longer?? is it different from store bought.. like not real?? I live in Mn. so our grown season is not as warm as yours, do you think I could grow it inside? Does it need something special?
patty says
Sounds like from the comments you could go into the loofah seed selling business. I had no idea where loofah came from and now I do! I will have to search and see if I can buy some seeds somewhere and see if they will grow in Ohio.
Nancy says
Wow, I learn from your blog all the time. How many plants to you plant every year? What is the average crop yield? I think for my zone it is to late to plant this year. I would love to try this. I looked on Amazon and guess what they sell Loofah seeds. Who knew?