Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
vines to their support as soon as they can reach it. (I prefer to plant everything possible
in rows along a fence, even spaghetti squash, cucumbers, and watermelons.)
Growing needs.
It may take two weeks for the seeds to germinate; keep the soil moist
during that time. If nights turn cool, protect with row covers. Once the seedlings are up,
side-dress every three weeks with an all-purpose fertilizer, or feed with fish-and-sea-
weed fertilizer.
Remove all of the first flowers when they are still in bud; these make good eating.
If any gourds develop but don't look healthy, remove those also. By doing this, you in-
crease fruit production and ensure a uniformly usable crop.
This is a thirsty as well as a hungry plant, so keep it well watered. In most areas,
rainfall will not be sufficient. A thick mulch reduces the need to water.
How to Harvest
There are two harvest periods — early for the immature vegetable, late for the mature
“sponge.” For eating, pick the gourds when they are 4 to 6 inches long. Since you can
figure on about 25 gourds per vine, you won't need many mature vines. If you need
garden space for fall crops, pull up some vines once the vegetable harvest is completed.
Varieties
Since it's commonly grown in this country as an ornamental gourd, you may find luffa
listed under “flowers” in seed catalogs or under “edible gourds.” Most suppliers carry
one of two species:
Luffa cylindrical
or
L. acutangula
. Several varieties of each species
are available. Both are edible and grown as food throughout the world; both form good
sponges. Of the two,
L. cylindrical
is thought to be tastier. Since it's much larger, it's
also more useful in the household.
Luffas are sometimes referred to as ridge gourds. The smaller species,
L. acutan-
gula,
is known as angled luffa and early ridge gourd.
Varieties to look for: Luffa acutangula:
Summer Long, Hybrid Green Glory, Lucky
Boy;
L. cylindrical:
Hybrid Summer Cross, Hybrid Smooth Beauty, Southern Winner.
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