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Posted: Mar/16/2007 9:22 PM PST
http://xrl.us/mxa8 Trellis and transplanted into garden 25 May 2006 Loofah plants were put outdoors today 25 May 2006. These three plants were started in February in the basemant, and put in my small greenhouse in late March. The seeds seemed to take forever to germinate and I had several failures. I suspect the seeds were poor quality. The vine was wrapped around itself, since it was getting out of hand in the greenhouse. The trellis network is in full sun and about eight feet high about eight feet wide by sixteen feet long. Last year I started late and did not have full sun, so I expect full success this year. The soil is compost, clay and wood chips, which is well drained. http://xrl.us/ni3k 18 June 2006. Update on the Luffah plants. Four plants are thriving and there are some fruiting bodies. http://xrl.us/npro Luffah update. 24 June 2006. The fruiting bodie's size can be judged by the mesh in the background, which is 6 sq. inches. The dead branch on the left of the third picture was caused by bird droppings on the junction with the main trunk. I suggest the chemical reaction caused damage. 7 July 2006 http://xrl.us/ose8 Loofah Progress 7 July 2006. One vine was lost for some unknown reason, but about four are doing well. One fruiting body is about 15 inches in length, and there are others forming. http://xrl.us/paah 21 July 2006. The luffah plants are coming into their own. It rained yesterday, and all plants are now thriving. http://xrl.us/pt4d 30 July 2006. Luffah are growing well. http://xrl.us/q438 23 August 2006. Pictures of making my first Luffah sponge. One fruit was ripe so I made a sponge. Neena, my Pomeranian dog, was very interested in the proceedings. I got a total of 14 sponges, some fruit didnt dry, since we had a very wet fall season. The seeds of 2006 were planted in January 2007 and I now have four plants growing well. Ths seeds take about 14 days to germinate, planted with sharp end into the soil. I planted three to a pot and had 100% germination this year. The fruit takes about 180 days to mature. I grow them for the lush vegetation and they make a great conversation piece. Durgan. |
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Posted: Mar/16/2007 9:24 PM PST
Very neat, wish I had space to do play with vines like that! |
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Posted: Mar/16/2007 10:51 PM PST
Neat! Are you going to try some more this year? |
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Posted: Mar/16/2007 11:21 PM PST
Quote: Originally posted by Hoeandhope Neat! Are you going to try some more this year?Four plants are growing now for 2007. Last year it rained for most of September, and the fruit didn't dry on the vine, so I only got about 12 sponges. So this year I am planning on complete success. Durgan. |
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Posted: Mar/17/2007 2:12 PM PST
Hi Durgan, I grew loofa for the first time last year, and we had a pretty wet fall. I harvested all the fruits that were left before it frosted, and I stuck them in the oven. The pilot light kept it warm & dry enough to help finish curing them. It took about a week. Which made it difficult to cook dinner, LOL. But after all was said and done I had some wonderful Christmas gifts. So far this year I hadnt thought about starting them as I dont have the room for the vines. But as soon as it warms up I'm going to plant them along the fence line. Your yard is GORGEOUS!! What a wonderful and innovative Idea to have little plots. You gave me a very great idea on my garden plans this year. I believe I will plant rye grass in between my rows to help not use the tiller. Thank you for the pictures and I hope you don't mind me stealing your idea. Kris |
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Posted: Mar/17/2007 3:35 PM PST
Quote: Originally posted by dimona Hi Durgan,I grew loofa for the first time last year, and we had a pretty wet fall. I harvested all the fruits that were left before it frosted, and I stuck them in the oven. The pilot light kept it warm & dry enough to help finish curing them. It took about a week. Which made it difficult to cook dinner, LOL. But after all was said and done I had some wonderful Christmas gifts. So far this year I hadnt thought about starting them as I dont have the room for the vines. But as soon as it warms up I'm going to plant them along the fence line. Your yard is GORGEOUS!! What a wonderful and innovative Idea to have little plots. You gave me a very great idea on my garden plans this year. I believe I will plant rye grass in between my rows to help not use the tiller. Thank you for the pictures and I hope you don't mind me stealing your idea. Kris I never thought of drying in the oven. I tried the hot shed, but gave up, since it was too difficult to remove the seeds. For sure, the fruit must be bone dry or forget the sponge making. Wait for this year! I started a Journal in Canada for 2007. It is mostly pictures. Durgan. |
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