LUFFA

LUFFA

Cucurbita pepo

Luffa's are also known as the sponge squash. It is actually grown for use as a sponge! The luffa vine is very robust and hardy annual vine that requires staking on a trellis or fence. It has large, hairy, deeply lobed leaves and presents beautiful yellow trumpet-shaped male and female flowers. It has round, green fruit 20-60cm long with scallops that run length ways. When the skin turns brown, it is ready to peel off and you will be left with light brown fibre that looks like a tightly spun cocoon. This is your luffa, just cut the ends off to create ease in handling and then use in your bathroom.

Sow seeds after last frosts. Sow one or two seeds per hole approx 30 cm apart along a strong and sturdy fence or trellis as the vine will end up being somewhat heavy once the fruit begins to bear. Water in gently, being sure not to over water the seed. Help to train the vine intially. Very easy to grow.;

QTY 30 seeds

Image by Jan Helebrant from Pixabay