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Loofahs

LynLyn Posts: 23,190
Has anyone grown their own loofahs, I feel that they should be grown in the GH or is that not warm enough? 
Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

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  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    I looked these up after seeing that lady on GW a few weeks back.  They should be OK outside once hardened off but need high temperatures to germinate.  I found this info on the Garden Organic site - https://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/sites/www.gardenorganic.org.uk/files/sns/factsheets/FactsheetLuffa.pdf

    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    pansyface said:



    “Working luffa sponges will last a surprisingly long time if they are allowed to dry between uses, usually a few months”

    What a minger.


     :D 
    They used to be all the rage when I was growing up. Same as real sponge. 
    Are you wanting them for the shower Lyn, or have you got another use in mind? 
    Actually - I'm not sure I want the answer to that..... ;)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    We had them when I was a kid.  Much better than a sponge at scrubbing mucky kids and a great exfoliator for older skin but I suspect if left damp they can harboour zillions of naughty bacteria so I'd be more likely to use them now as pan scrubs or even dare I say it, plant pot scrubs.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    As I have loads of GH space, or will have next year, I thought they’d make a change, we did use them a long while ago along with a real sea sponge.😱 Thought it would be better than dumping more plastic when the sponge wears out. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    http://www.bodyorganix.co.uk/grow-your-own-loofah-sponge-yes-you-really-can/
    Completely convinced that I will grow them next year. How nice to grow, use, then put on compost instead of landfill or even worse, in the oceans. 
    Seeds are not expensive, they grow up to 30ft in one year, bees come from miles around for the flowers, one female has lots of males in attendance, then put them back into the soil at the end of it all. 
    Better than those awful scrunched netted things made from the remains of oil. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Good thinking Lyn and definitely worth a go.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    With our weather conditions I may not even get any! Thanks for your reply Philippa🙂
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    How many seeds in a pack?  You could post a few here if there are enough and I'll send you some looofahs.   Can't see it not being hot enough here somehow.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    It’s the challenge of growing them from seed that I like!   99p and free P&P for 12 seeds
     
    Same with the Canna and Ricinus. Although I have grown both of those from seed before. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    I know, but if you want to hedge your bets for a loofah crop let me know.   Growing anything from seed is very satisfying.  I now find myself with a dozen baby morus nigra to home......and 4 vitex I shall probably keep.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
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