Debstr's Blog
Debstr's Blog
Luffa
Jan 23, 2008 | 7:24 AM PST
Tags: luffa , loofa
I thought I would share some information about growing Luffa and using it since I found it quite interesting and several here have shown an interest when seeing the Luffa soaps I made. It is very easy to grow but keep in mind once it starts growing it will take off and grow like crazy so make sure you have plenty of space for the traveling vines. Also this year I will be growing it on a trellis since I have read that the luffa should be hanging straight down and not on the ground - although mine on the ground turned out fine. Luffa also needs a longer growing season and some advice says to let it dry on the vine (start turning brown) and then harvest it. I was unaware of the longer season it needed so brought my luffas in to dry and they did ok. They do have very pretty large yellow flowers that attract alot of bees. They can also grow quite large but once they start to dry they become very light-weight. I peeled the outer skin once dried and then I soaked them in water to clean them and loosen the seeds so they would fall out - many black seeds in a luffa and I did save quite a few. If anyone would like some I would be happy to mail you some for your garden, just send me your address and until I run out I will send them along. Once all the seeds were out of the luffa, I let them dry and then used several to make the soaps shown in my photos. I posted links with instructions yesterday and will retrieve those links and add them to the comments here. I found that the luffa soaps were very beautiful but they are quite stiff so do not use them on children. Actually, the luffa used alone is very soft once wet and I have one in my shower I use daily and also one by the kitchen sink for cleaning. Not sure how long they last since this is my first year. They really are very easy to grow and the end result is fabulous. I was clueless and there isn't much information on the drying process but I found some and once I went through the process myself ......it all worked out! If you have any questions at all, let me know! Debbie in IL
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Jan 23, 2008 | 7:24 AM PST
Tags: luffa , loofa
I thought I would share some information about growing Luffa and using it since I found it quite interesting and several here have shown an interest when seeing the Luffa soaps I made. It is very easy to grow but keep in mind once it starts growing it will take off and grow like crazy so make sure you have plenty of space for the traveling vines. Also this year I will be growing it on a trellis since I have read that the luffa should be hanging straight down and not on the ground - although mine on the ground turned out fine. Luffa also needs a longer growing season and some advice says to let it dry on the vine (start turning brown) and then harvest it. I was unaware of the longer season it needed so brought my luffas in to dry and they did ok. They do have very pretty large yellow flowers that attract alot of bees. They can also grow quite large but once they start to dry they become very light-weight. I peeled the outer skin once dried and then I soaked them in water to clean them and loosen the seeds so they would fall out - many black seeds in a luffa and I did save quite a few. If anyone would like some I would be happy to mail you some for your garden, just send me your address and until I run out I will send them along. Once all the seeds were out of the luffa, I let them dry and then used several to make the soaps shown in my photos. I posted links with instructions yesterday and will retrieve those links and add them to the comments here. I found that the luffa soaps were very beautiful but they are quite stiff so do not use them on children. Actually, the luffa used alone is very soft once wet and I have one in my shower I use daily and also one by the kitchen sink for cleaning. Not sure how long they last since this is my first year. They really are very easy to grow and the end result is fabulous. I was clueless and there isn't much information on the drying process but I found some and once I went through the process myself ......it all worked out! If you have any questions at all, let me know! Debbie in IL
9 Member Comments
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Jan 23, 2008 | 9:17 AM PST
Luffa! A very elderly lady, long ago, told me this was called the 'dishrag gourd', as they used them to wash dishes with way back when! I'd love to have some seed! Thanks for the great blog on this! |
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Jan 23, 2008 | 9:20 AM PST
Thanx for the info. I have been loooking at Luffa seeds in one of my catalogues and thought it might be interesting. |
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Jan 23, 2008 | 1:26 PM PST
If you still have seeds, I would like to try my hand at growing them. What a treat! Thank you~Andrea |
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Jan 23, 2008 | 3:57 PM PST
Here are the 2 links with luffa soap instructions and I do have plenty of seeds here so just email me your address and I will send them along to you ... Thanks! |
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Jan 23, 2008 | 3:59 PM PST
http://candleandsoap.about.com/od/soaprecipes/ss/loofahsoap. htm http://www.americangourdsociety.org/slideshow/luffasoap/prin t.html whoops, hit enter before I added these :-) |
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Jan 24, 2008 | 2:51 AM PST
nice pics, so do you only make the glycerin soaps? I grew some years ago an still have luffas in my shed. I've thought about growing some this year, but not sure if I will yet. I plan to grow some of the climbing zukes an I understand they may cross with the luffas, so the luffas may have to wait another year. |
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Jan 24, 2008 | 7:25 AM PST
Yes, glycerin soaps is all I made at this point. I have the book "The Everything SoapMaking" and I did read up on using lye, but haven't gone that route just yet. I know that luffas when small can be eaten, but haven't tried that either ... for some reason, that just scares me lol |
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Jan 25, 2008 | 2:41 AM PST
Using lye is scary, nowadays if you can find it. Don't be scared to try it, I grew last year the Chinese Okra which is also a form of luffa an it tasted just like okra when fried only without the slime. Key is picking it while its young. |
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Jan 31, 2008 | 6:50 PM PST
Debbie, That luffa soap is very interesting. I've never heard of it before. I can see that you have some awesome hobbies! Terrie |
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