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Loofahs

Joyce GoldenlilyJoyce Goldenlily Posts: 2,933
in Fruit & veg
Did anyone join Monty Donn and try growing loofahs last year?
If yes, how did they go.?
I have just sown a couple of seeds, planning to grow them amongst my runner beans.
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  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    Treat them in a similar way as you would Cukes, gourds etc.but you will need a decent summer to be really successful  I grew them years ago and would say the most complicated bit is the drying/cleaning of the fruit to make useable loofahs. Once done and stored, they last for years :)
  • Joyce GoldenlilyJoyce Goldenlily Posts: 2,933
    Thank you Phillipa.
    Now I am wondering if I should grow them in the greenhouse. I am in Cornwall so it might be a bit wet and windy for them.
  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    I'd say do them in the GH Joyce but I can't recall now whether the flowers may require hand pollination if no "little helpers" about.  
    Good luck with them anyway and I'll be interested to hear how you get on.
  • Joyce GoldenlilyJoyce Goldenlily Posts: 2,933
    I might even try some in the GH and a couple outside. 
    I have a very useful rabbits tail which I use for hand pollinating, isn't gardening exciting!
  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    That sounds like the best idea Joyce given the vagaries of the weather these days.
    Yes, "exciting" describes it to a T - particularly when trying something new and it actually works  ;)
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    Philippa,  the Loofah you gave me,  I can’t bring myself to use it.
    The ones I grew in the GH were small and black mouldy. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • Joyce GoldenlilyJoyce Goldenlily Posts: 2,933
    Why are you scared to use it Lyne?
    Did you soak and clean your mouldy ones? The worse part of growing them apparently. Monty Don didn't mention it but  they probably smell as well.
  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    It's coming up for your Loofah's 13th birthday Lyn - hope you're going to have a party for it  :D
  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    edited April 2023
    Don't know about Monty Don - he may well have been successful at growing them but perhaps he has minions to carry out the really hard work  ;)
    The trick is to let them ripen on the plant and once they begin to show signs of drying off /shrivelling, remove the fruit, strip the outer layer ( skin ), soak in water and squish until you have removed all the flesh and seeds.  You should then just be left with the fibre.  Give that a soak in a gentle bleach bath then remove, drain and let it dry. It can be a bit of a faff but it works.
    Should have said that the fruit needs to be mature and if they are good, they won't smell either
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    Joyce Goldenlily said:
    Why are you scared to use it Lyne?
    Did you soak and clean your mouldy ones? The worse part of growing them apparently. Monty Don didn't mention it but  they probably smell as well.
    I’m not scared to use it,  it’s just that Philippa gave it to me,   I don’t want to use it. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

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