Luffa or Smooth Gourd

this is wonderful.
I tried growing some last year but I don’t think I started them soon enough and they didn’t mature – or I put them in the wrong location. I’m trying again this year.

I am so envious of your season!! The hibiscus is gorgeous.

Thank Sharad.

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a) http://www.execulink.com/~yohan

I’ve always wanted to try my hand at them Sharad. What type of soil? Loamy? I’ve been going through seed catalogs in last few weeks and seen the seed, maybe I will try them this year. I’ve used them forever for body cleansing sponges. Much cheaper to grow my own. Thank you for the insightful post :)
Alynxia

-- Alynxia****Set yourself as the standard.****

Sharad, thank you for the interesting post and great photos. I want to try growing these too! I have already bought my seeds for the year, but if I see some seeds at the Farmers Exchange next time I go, I will try them out!

-- Robin, Massachusetts - "Live simply so others can simply live." M. Gandhi

It has been recommended that the seeds be scratched first, then soaked for a short time before planting.

When doing sponges, allow to dry completely (seeds can be heard rattling around.) Soak in water and wash off the paper thin skin. Shake out seeds. Bleaching can be done with Hydrogen Peroxide to normalize color.

A trellis is highly recommended. I’ve never seen them climb by themselves, so they need to be helped up the trellis and gently hung, wrapped, or tied off. They get heavy.

-- arborial reconfiguration specialist......Zone out....(USA 5)

Catspaw your instructions are correct and important. The seeds however need not be scratched. Soaking overnight is more than enough. Scratching is used for some very tough seeds.
Sharad

-- Bagwan-- “If someone feels that they had never made a mistake in their life, then it means they have never tried a new thing in their life”.-Albert Einstein

Thanks for this blog on the luffa Sharad.I have always wondered about them.I have grown lots of other types of gourds over the years but not this one.Very interesting to know that the young ones can be eaten.The pictures are great thanks.

-- Bon,Hastings,Ont.....zone 5a....Always room for one more

They are quite tasty when young and saute’ed or put in a simple chicken broth. YUM!

-- A weed is a plant that is growing where it was not purposefully placed by human hands.

Fantastic, I may try these if I have time next year. Any space saving tips? I’m getting limited in my garden space but would love to also grow some organic washing sponges as well as food. And the hibiscus is stunning, do you make tea?

-- Xploreorganics, 5b Canada, LFD 06-20

XploreOrganics I have never made hibiscus tea. Can you tell how to make it? Do try to grow this gourd. It is easy but needs supports for the vine to climb. I think you have enough space for this plant.
Sharad

-- Bagwan-- “If someone feels that they had never made a mistake in their life, then it means they have never tried a new thing in their life”.-Albert Einstein

Yes, X, how do you make hibiscus tea? Does one merely steep the flowers? I have quite a few hibiscus plants here that bloom profusely. How would one compare the taste?

-- jroot

Hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa) tea can be served hot or as an ice tea and is made from fresh or dried petals or “calyx” of the flower. There are many different recipes.

Pick and dry petals in a basket for a few days.

The taste is like a cranberry rubarb-ish taste, but is best used for the beautiful color and medicinal properties.

A simple method to make the brew is to pour one cup of boiling water over 1-2 table spoons of dried petals, cover and strain after 5-10 minutes and sweeten to taste. Add honey, lemon or orange slices, even mint, ginger or pineapple if you like and ice cubes for ice tea . Hibiscus can be mixed with regular tea also.

Here are some articles on the health benefits of Hibiscus tea:

Studies show that drinking hibiscus tea can effectively lower high blood pressure and reduce high cholesterol levels. February 1, 2009 issue of Internal Medicine News.

More on the plant and medicinal properties here: http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Hibiscus+sabdariffa

Some hibiscus tea recipes: http://fieldtofeast.blogspot.com/2007/01/make-hibiscus-tea-then-vote-for-me.html

-- Xploreorganics, 5b Canada, LFD 06-20

Thank u XO for the information on the Hibiscus tea. I will try it soon.
Sharad

-- Bagwan-- “If someone feels that they had never made a mistake in their life, then it means they have never tried a new thing in their life”.-Albert Einstein

Thanks, X for the information above. I will go and pick some flowers today from my hibiscus blooming its head off inside.

-- jroot

jroot do you have Hibiscus sabdariffa variety in your garden? It is only from this that the tea can be made and this is not akin to the Hibiscus flowers that we have, it looks. Pl be sure before you make tea.
Sharad

-- Bagwan-- “If someone feels that they had never made a mistake in their life, then it means they have never tried a new thing in their life”.-Albert Einstein

Thanks for the warning, Sharad. I had not noticed that small detail.

-- jroot