How to Grow Luffa - Lowe Bridges Farm

General Information

Scientific Name:

Luffa aegyptiaca

Plant Family:

Luffa, Loofah

Vegetable Type:

Fruit

Popular Varieties:

Sponge Gourd (Luffa aegyptiaca often called the “smooth” loofah or sponge gourd). This is what you want if you are growing luffa primarily to use as sponges.
Luffa acutangula, known as the ridged or angled loofah is usually eaten when young, but like the sponge gourd, this variety also can be used as a sponge, but the smooth variety is usually preferred for that usage.

Know Before You Grow

Growing Zones:

7 to 13

Crops per Year:

1

Plants Per Person:

If growing for food, 3 to 5 plants per person.

Growing Methods:

Traditional rows or raised beds. Arches or trellises are required.

Frost Hardy:

Not at all

Heat Tolerant:

Yes

Stratification:

No

Scarification:

Yes, just nick the seed coat or soak in warm water overnight.

Resistances:

Fairly resilient, can resist powdery mildew with good air flow.

Rotation Schedule

Schedule:

2 to 3 year schedule

Follow ->:

legumes, root crops

<-Following:

leafy greens, root crops, legumes

Starting from Seed

When:

Not recommended for zones 7 and up. For zones that have shorter seasons, start seeds indoors 4 to 6 weeks before your last frost

Soil:

Seed starting mix

Depth:

1/2″ to 1″ deep

Water:

Consistent moisture

Germination:

1 to 2 weeks depending on warmth and moisture

Up Pot:

Yes, after two weeks.

Harden Off:

Over the period of one week

Light:

Full Spectrum – 14 to 16 hours per day.

Humidity:

Not necessary in a warm environment.

Soil Temperature:

at least 70°F

Heat Mat:

Yes

Garden Bed Prep

Soil:

well draining rich soil – loamy with lots of organic matter.

pH:

6.0 to 6.5

Soil Depth:

A good deep bed. About 18 inches deep.

Trellis:

Strong trellis or arch required. Cattle Panel works well for both.

Fertilizer:

Slow release 10-10-10 or well rotted manure

Compost:

Add and mix in at least 2 inches of compost

Transplanting

When:

After any danger of frost has passed. When nights temps are staying about 50° F.

How:

Dig the whole slightly wider and deeper than the rootball.

Depth:

Slightly deeper than the rootball

Spacing:

2 to 3 feet

Mulch:

2 to 3 inches of straw or leaves

Water:

1 inch per week

Direct Sowing

When:

When all danger of frost has passed

Depth:

1/2″ to 1″

Spacing:

2 to 3 feet

Water:

Soil must stay consistently moist for germination.

Light:

6 to 8 hours of full sun

Soil Temperature:

At least 70° F

# in Sq. Ft. Planting:

No recommended, unless you skip one foot between plants, and provide a strong trellis.

Growing Care

Soil pH:

6.0 to 6.5

Fertilizer/Feed:

Balanced fertilizer early, then more phosphorous during flowering.

Days to Maturity:

150 to 200 from transplant or direct sowing seed.

Water:

1 inch per week.

Pruning:

Prune lower leaves for air circulation, being careful not to prune too heavily.

Mulching:

Add about 2 inches of straw or leaves for mulch.

Pollination:

Bees or other insects or hand pollination

Companions & Antagonists

Companions:

Antagonists:

Corn

Potatoes

Beans

Pumpkins

Sunflowers

Squash

Nasturtiums

Zucchini

Attracts & Repels

Attracts:

Repels:

Bees

Nothing

Ladybugs

Nothing

Butterflies

Nothing

Predatory Wasps

Nothing

Pests & Disease

Pests:

Disease:

Squash Bugs

Powdery Mildew

Cucumber Beetles

Downy Mildew

Aphids

Bacterial Wilt

Spider Mites

Anthracnose

Seed Saving

When:

In the fall when the luffa is dried and brown

Method:

Peel the luffa and shake out the already dried seeds.

Storage:

Store in a cool dark place in a container or envelope

Harvest Time

When:

Fall

How:

Use pruners to snip off the vine

What:

The fruits

Curing:

Unnecessary. They cure on the vine.

Storing:

You can store anywhere.

Preservation Methods:

These are usually peeled, have the seeds shaken out of the sponge, and then the sponge is cut into desired sizes.

Troubleshooting

Not flowering:

Too much nitrogen. Switch to a fertilizer higher in phosphorous. Make sure the plant is getting enough water.

Not setting fruit:

This is a pollination problem usually. It could also be due to inconsistent watering.

Wilt:

Check water. Over and under watering can cause wilt. Pests could be the culprit, as well as disease.