How-to grow loofah sponges at home, parts 1-3

[stt60]

What is the shelf life of these. Harvest them in the fall, could you save them through the winter and sell them at market in the early summer?

[stt60]

LOL Playing God to decide which plant lives or dies, I thought I was the only softy who has trouble doing this. Going to try them in colorado zone 6 162 growing days, and a big greenhouse.

[homegrownfunfamily]

Good luck, great that you have a greenhouse! Just don't let them dry out and you're good! I visited a pumpkin patch that was selling bottle gourds today for $6 ea. but when you check out that festival I mentioned in Fallbrook, some gourds are pulling down thousands. Thanks for watching the video - it was one of the first ones we put out.

[homegrownfunfamily]

@stt60 Now that's a greenhouse! Think I saw what you refer to on the video linked from you. My appreciation for what you do and why! I grew up in the mountains of Maine and now have a small yard in SoCal. I have a hornworm pic on my homegrownfun site that I can't figure out. It's the instar stage and some doghead-looking things are coming out of it. Are those baby hornworms? I'm hoping to meet someone who knows more about these creatures. Thanks again for the comments.

[LoneKnight6212]

I'm trying to plan for possibly growing loofahs next spring. how many usable loofahs do you get from each plant, typically? We have hard frosts so it'll be grown as an annual.

[homegrownfunfamily]

@LoneKnight6212 Thanks for the question. Most folks get 3-4 squash on one vine but it all depends on conditions. It takes months and months to grow loofahs so if you live in a cool climate you'll probably want to start the seeds inside. Let me know how it goes!

[Dsfreak1397]

I just got seeds this thursday im hypergeminating them so i can plant them out cant wait to use them :) good luck on your plants

[homegrownfunfamily]

@Dsfreak1397 Awesome, I should hypergerminate more - how do you do that?. Found another spot to put some loofahs. Thanks for your comment.

[pupnbug]

pretty cool, my husband bought me some seeds and i planted them not knowing where and how to plant them. Nothing like you did i, darn. cant wait to see your loofas all grown up:)

[homegrownfunfamily]

@pupnbug Appreciate the comment. Good luck with your loofahs! They are growing slowly. I'm going to take some worm castings and make a compost tea to add to the soil. We'll see if that helps. They look healthy though. This is a "patience plant". Maybe I''ll add a post on homegrownfun about plants that require patience : ) This one would be tops.