We ended up with luffas by mistake! The luffa seeds were mixed in with our watermelon seeds and what a surprise! Ended up with five luffas! Kept two to use on our backs. Taking the others and cutting slices from the smaller end to put in a muffin tin and adding oatmeal soap. I will be giving these as Christmas gifts!
1st yr grower here and my luffa did amazing.... the vines and flowers have been absolutely beautiful!!! Mine are just starting to get in the yellow-ish stage... Im so excited!!! These r gonna make great holiday gifts (kids teachers ;) ) w a special soap/lotion a few seeds and a little card explaining how we grew these ourselves. 😉❤👍
I too thought they were a sea growth...until I saw an article in the newspaper about a Luffa farm about 10 miles down the road from me.. However until watching you I had no idea they were so easy to grow. Prayers for you MIL.
We have grown loofah for several years in Los Angeles. We let them get a little darker and use the wet method to peel them. We use them as gifts too as a fall back when we don't have live fruit/veg to give people. It is something that we grow that we use every day in our home. They can be used in the shower and kitchen (they have replaced all of our sponges for washing dishes.). We even use them to wash dishes while camping.
I loved growing this and the bees adore it. The big yellow blossoms are so cheery and aren’t hidden by the foliage. I neglected mine and did it as a transplant because of garden succession planting. Life then got busy and it started to die and was very sick in its transplant pot. I eventually planted it anyway. All the starts died except one sickly little guy and that plant took off!!! One plant is still growing strong and has yielded 20 Luffas already. This was Luffa seeds from MIgardener seed store.
I agree with everything you said...they are easy to grow, bees love them, and it adds. a great beauty to the garden! We did have one problem...we have power lines and a guy line above the garden. One of the vines grew up the wire and I thought it would be fine...but it must have grown 40 feet! Just this one vine. So, be cautious of where they are growing. But, I will definitely grow these again!
Wow I just love the idea of growing a luffa (loofah) and give as gifts...so unique and yes an interesting topic of conversation! LOL Well you gave me the courage...so my next research is what pest will be a problem for me in my zone 7a....thanks for the fun video and all the best to you from NY!
OMG! I grew loofah this year for the first time. I will grow it every year whether I get loofahs or not because I could not believe the amount of bees. I always have a problem with pollination because we don't for some reason here in Connecticut get a lot of activity with the bees. My garden has been horrible past couple years because of that. I've tried adding flowers and all kinds of other things and still had a problem with pollination. The loofah plants did the trick. The amount of bees was incredible. I literally was walking through the plants and the vines and the bees were there and as I walked through I said Thank You thank you thank you to all the bees that were swarming around me. It was so beautiful. I actually felt like I was having a conversation with the bees. Okay I know you're all going to think I'm weird now. LOL. Seriously though, if you want lots of veggies grow loofah to attract the pollinators. And by the way the loofah plants did very well also.
@@terrasokolovic7520 I was interested in doing just that however I got ill and I haven't been able to do much. In particular this year because of all my old age ailments. But seeing all those bees last year and being able to just walk through there and not worry about them bothering me almost seemed spiritual. I felt like they knew I wasn't there to harm them and they almost could feel the love and appreciation and so they never bothered me a bit. It was awesome. Maybe someday if I get better I'll be able to do something
@@nancymiller349 They feel the love most definitely! I pray you heal and have strength. There are healing frequencies the bees give us too. If you were my neighbour, I'd bring you to visit my bees anytime. Yah bless you! Much love ❤️
I've grown luffa for years now. I add them to my soap. You are right about the bees!! I planted zinnia in front of them and i have never had so many bees!! I did think that the zinnias would be a nice smaller plant but they ended up 4 feet tall! Pretty anyway.
Hi Brian. Thanks for the loofa video. I didn’t plant them this year but bought my seeds from Baker Creek a while back for next year. I hope mine will look as good as yours. 😁
You make peeling look so easy. My first year of growing them in the B.C. Kootenays. One is over 2 feet long! Climate is 4b so I started them indoors last February. Planted them high on a hill protected (and further warmed) by a stone wall. Covered them up with greenhouse plastic a week ago to extend the season a bit. I think I can baby them along till the end of October.
Yes I did grow the loofah along with you this summer. The plant is beautiful and plan on growing more next summer. I live in southern Nevada extremely hot this summer and the loofah it self really didn't start to produce until the temps dropped. Looks like I will be getting a few large ones off of just one plant. Can't wait to grow more next summer ❤
You must live in Laughlin, NV. I just moved from there, after working in the Aquarius Casino as a Table Games Dealer! Lol. Small world. I would love to grow loofa.
@@DianeHasHopeInChrist I live in Pahrump NV. Extremely hot this summer and the loofah started to grow as soon as it cooled off some. In the past two weeks they have gotten very big. If you grow them they will do very good as soon as the temps start to drop. It's super hot where your at and I wish you good luck with the loofahs.
Yup, I thought it grew in the sea somewhere too! Growing next year for sure. I'm in So. Cal too and I'm guessing starting them in Spring? I'm going to check out your previous videos and gotta get some seeds! You should sell your seeds. Thanks for sharing.
Young green luffa are eddible and delicious. Popular summer vegi in Asia just like how zucchini is in the West. Young leaves and flowers are also edible.
I just subscribed to your channel and I've been growing loofah for 3 years now and every season is different. Lol the frost is moving in tonight so I have to go pick all my loofah. So I hope they dry out inside on my drying rack. My first year growing, I had some over 4 ft long lol so I think I did good lol.
I grew my first loofah sponge plant this year as well! It is so satisfying to harvest them; although I have harvested two of them at the not quite ready stage but didn’t find it too difficult to peel and extract them from their skins. Yes, I had to use my whole hand and work it under the skin, but the slimy feel was kinda fun. Lol I guess I’ll have to wait until they ripen a bit more before I harvest the remaining loofahs. Thanks for the video showing the difference between the ripening process of the loofah sponges.
I grew luffas this year, my first year. It was sooo exciting for me to watch them develop. They are beautiful plants and I love their smell as well. Mine are just now starting to turn yellow. So I guess I have to wait a week or two more. Thank you for you videos, I have learned so much from you this year. My garden was beautiful and is still producing. My bean pole especially. 😊
@@NextLevelGardening hey Brian. Nancy from Maui here. I planted loofah seeds about 2 months ago and have them growing on a homemade wire trellis. 7 plants in all and they are going crazy. They are already over 2 feet long! They seem skinnier than the ones you grew. But it’s beautiful. Thanks
This year the luffa were finally successful! I would have never tried it before watching your video. In hot San Antonio Texas, I planted the seed directly in early March and started harvesting at the end of June. Looks like in going to have 21 luffa from 1 plant.
Hi Brian, you can harvest green luffa. I finally got them growing but because my season turned earlier than expected I had to harvest green. Bake at 375 for 30 minutes and skin softens enough to harvest. Wash out in soapy water with few tablespoon of bleach plop into dehydrator or dry on counter and you have sponges. Of course seeds not viable because didn't hit full maturity. Hope helps others in cooler seasons .
Grew them this year, but let some get too brown and hard. Growing Birdhouse gourds and they stay on the vine until they are hard and dried out. I still have some luffa to harvest! Thanks for the video.
Yep! My first time, sooooo beautiful! I had to find if you had a video on how to harvest the loofah sponge! Learned a ton thank you so much I feel confident now! Having access to a sponge type product is a great tool for being self sufficient.
With cutting back to about 12 containers , I didn’t grow them this year. After seeing this video, I’m going to plant it next year even though the comment from one viewer about squirrels getting into them made me nervous. I have squirrels like you have rats. 🙄 This year with growing in containers next to the house instead of grow boxes out in the yard, I had fewer squirrels. Although I did move my strawberries to the back deck and didn’t get even one berry to eat because the squirrels would come up on the deck and eat them. One would even pick the berries, and take them over to the chair at the head of the table on the deck. He would sit on the top of the chair cushion at the back of the chair and eat his feast. He’d leave one little bit of strawberry along with strawberry juice stains to let me know he was there 🤪 Seeing the beautiful loofah flowers and how much the bees love them, I may plant one in a pot at the far end of the deck where the container tops are about 4 feet below the floor level of the deck, and let it climb along the deck railings. Even if the squirrels get the loofahs, it would still be beautiful. Thanks for the harvesting info in this one. Looks like great fun! Be healthy, don’t push. Continued prayers for your health, love and hugs to you, Emilie, Noah and Boomer (saw a peek of him in this video)😉🤗❤️
WOW great video thanks for this information ❤ My husband and I bought about 2,000 of them I wasn't sure we could sell them all but thank God we had no trouble they all sold.
First year growing luffa. Luckily also first year with a large trellis, because they need it! Two plants are producing nonstop. Thanks for the tips on harvesting. I might have let them get too brown without your advice!
Thank you that was a very helpful video! This is my first year growing loofah's and I needed some advice! We live in zone 5 so I am very surprised to have such a nice crop!
I grew them for the first time this year! They went crazy in my 10+ h of full sun per day…. they have been wonderful!! I’ve harvested 3-4 already but have 100 more to go…. SO excited! next year I’m going to have a better trellis for them… a tunnel of luffa… they are SO much fun! Last thing: if you do let one big one go dry and brown-black… don’t open it… you have a rain stick! ☮️☮️
I planted 4 seeds too. Four seeds turned into about 100 gourds, I am really not sure how many yet because they aren't finished ripening and I can't get into the jungle of luffa vines yet!
Great info and useful, my first year growing. They are beautiful vines and the pods are definitely a conversation starter. Im in northern Ca, and may have to bring mine in to complete the drying cycle, with freezing temps just around to corner. (Oct 1st today )
Make sure you get the Luffa Aegyptiaca SMOOTH variety if your plan is to have a sponge. They peel much easier and grow larger. The RIBBED type are much smaller and more suited as the EDIBLE variety. They can also become sponges but the removal of the Outer covering is much more difficult and does not come off like removing a glove.
I am so glad your video showed up in my feed! Super great video! Thank you so much for the information! I greet them for the first time this year and got two and I was wondering what the next steps were! Again, thank you so much!
😁. Same - always thought it came from the ocean! Grew them for first time this year in Northern IL. And, if I remember correctly, got the idea from you 😁👍🏼. Sprouted indoors and too excited ... put them out too soon 🤭 frost got them. One seed left that sprouted, babied it, and wow! Did it grow! My honey bees were thrilled too! I was worried that I would need two plants, but nope - 5 gourds from one vine and now, thanks to you ! I Will wait a bit more as they are still green. Thank you! ❤️🐝🐝
First year growing from seeds obtained from a friend. After my llllong growing period, started inside in March, and now coming into October I have a dozen or so maturing. Can’t wait to make loofah soap with slices of loofah placed in molds with colorful glycerin soap making materials. Home made and home grown Holiday gifts for everyone this year! Super helpful info on when and how to harvest.
I started mine in April knowing they wouldn’t develop in time. But they sure are a nice looking plant with beautiful flowers. It was more for a novelty this season I think. But will start mine indoors early next year to have some nice luffa
I definitely want to grow some next year! I also had no idea where Luffa came from before watching your videos and it looks like fun to grow. You've inspired me.
I really love the fact that we Don't grow lufa here in Africa but It has so much potential and I love to cultivate it please tell me more watching from Ghana 🇬🇭
I never received my seeds in the mail. Hopping to grow them next year when I can get seeds. Thank you for your informative videos. I am new at this and have really learned a lot.
I did grow luffa this year on a cattle panel arch. They are beautiful and the bees and wasps love the flowers too! I just harvested a couple and MY, OH MY the SEEDS! You weren’t kidding about the amount of seeds you get from one plant. I will definitely grow these every year. Beautiful addition to any garden.
I heard you talk about your luffa plant before but, I thought that i just didnt know what you were talking about. Right! I didn't! 🤣 I am one of those who had no idea about luffa plants . Very interesting! I have to check out your other video, not sure if i want to grow that plant or not. thank you for your video.
It’s my first year growing Loofah. I got 6 Loofah Gourds from 2 plants. I’ve noticed that the Loofah Plants are not bothered by insects,bugs,and are disease resistant. I just harvested 4 Loofah’s. I will follow your way of processing them.
The 2020 crop was destroyed by hot winds. The 2021 crop was destroyed by bugs. The 2022 crop is doing great. Hope they ripen before cold weather. Your video is quite helpful. Thanks.
My wife and i r totally hooked on watching this guy's videos. He is so captivating and the videos r so positive and educational. Cant wait to get the seeds n start the ''loofah growing adventure''...lol... p.s. keep up a good job, dude, n keep em coming !!!
Hi sir thank you so much for the information you share keep up the good works luffas is my favourite sponges my family really enjoyed it to used for shower body washing everyday can't wait for my seeds already order hope will arrive soon before hot summer starts here in Sydney Australia looks so much fun thank you nd God bless 👍👍
Didn't grow them, but may try next year on my outer walls. When are you doing your luffah seed (and other seed) giveaways? Since you have thousands of them anyway!! LOL.
So helpful, thank you. I grew them for the first time this year and was looking for info on how/when to harvest for sponges. Looking forward to when they're ready.
I'm going to try to grow them next year for sure. It so interesting I didn't know anything about luffa also how long can you use a luffa before you discard them. Thanks for sharing.
Due to your luffa video last winter/spring I planted 2 luffa plants in a raised bed. I planned to let it grow up a 10 foot tower section at the end of the bed. I lost control of it. It covered the tower, tried to take over my bed of tomatoes and then took off to the woods 15 feet away. It grew up on the trees, attached to my power line drop to the house. There are several huge luffa's hanging from the power line drop up 14 feet in the air. It grew on up in the trees and I have luffa's hanging everywhere. One luffa is as high as the power transformer which is 25-30 feet in the air. I have more luffa's than I know what to do with. The blooms were so pretty all summer. They kept the bees busy. They were a lot of fun to grow as you said last spring. Thank you for a fun idea.
I grew them this year! We tried eating a couple and we just didn’t care for them. I find the inside is like a zucchini and the outside skin tasted like a green bean. I let my others dry out and we have sponges now! The plant is just beautiful! Bees all Over them! I will grow next year, but not in one of my main raised beds like this year! They take over wherever they are planted for sure!
I sowed my seeds in March indoors and then moved them outside where I lost them all. I threw a couple seeds in the dirt and did a Luffa dance, lol, and I got one strong plant that has produced 3 gourds!!!! Yeah, one is just about ready so that will definitely give me seeds for next year. 😁🌞😎
I've just started my first loofahs!! I planted 5 seeds and 3 have sprouted, one is already sprouting secondary leaves. We live in Buffalo, NY...... needless to say even though it's March, we just had 6inches of snow. When would you say it's safe to plant them outside on the lattice, archway, and gondola? I just worry we get a cold spike and it kill my young sprouts
So cool! I’m in northern Idaho and do not see this growing anywhere so this was really exciting and very interesting. I may have to grow this as an experiment next year. Will need to definitely start seeds indoors though. Thanks for sharing!! Are they prone to powdery mildew?
Hi..i live in Canada and this is my 3rd attempt at growing luffa..started them indoors in February...they didn't start producing fruit till beginning of August..i harvest 4 big luffas that were still green..not enough time to mature..i have to peel them green
I grew luffa....it hated the summer in Texas and struggled to grow much. As soon as the weather turned cooler (Below 90 degrees), it just popped! Growing all over my garden fence. Yay!
I recently discovered these strange things in my yard. My mom even cut my precious grape vines thinking that would get rid them. I’m so thankful to have found out that they are loofahs
We ended up with luffas by mistake! The luffa seeds were mixed in with our watermelon seeds and what a surprise! Ended up with five luffas! Kept two to use on our backs. Taking the others and cutting slices from the smaller end to put in a muffin tin and adding oatmeal soap. I will be giving these as Christmas gifts!
Wo! adding oatmeal soap! Great idea! 🌻☮️
Same thing! They got mixed in with my cucumbers. I had no clue what they were for a few weeks.
1st yr grower here and my luffa did amazing.... the vines and flowers have been absolutely beautiful!!! Mine are just starting to get in the yellow-ish stage... Im so excited!!! These r gonna make great holiday gifts (kids teachers ;) ) w a special soap/lotion a few seeds and a little card explaining how we grew these ourselves. 😉❤👍
Hi!😃
I too thought they were a sea growth...until I saw an article in the newspaper about a Luffa farm about 10 miles down the road from me.. However until watching you I had no idea they were so easy to grow. Prayers for you MIL.
We have grown loofah for several years in Los Angeles. We let them get a little darker and use the wet method to peel them. We use them as gifts too as a fall back when we don't have live fruit/veg to give people. It is something that we grow that we use every day in our home. They can be used in the shower and kitchen (they have replaced all of our sponges for washing dishes.). We even use them to wash dishes while camping.
I loved growing this and the bees adore it. The big yellow blossoms are so cheery and aren’t hidden by the foliage. I neglected mine and did it as a transplant because of garden succession planting. Life then got busy and it started to die and was very sick in its transplant pot. I eventually planted it anyway. All the starts died except one sickly little guy and that plant took off!!! One plant is still growing strong and has yielded 20 Luffas already. This was Luffa seeds from MIgardener seed store.
I grew them and I love them!!!!! They sure are pretty. Picked mine too soon so thanks for this video… still have a few in the vine.
I agree with everything you said...they are easy to grow, bees love them, and it adds.
a great beauty to the garden! We did have one problem...we have power lines and a guy line above the garden. One of the vines grew up the wire and I thought it would be fine...but it must have grown 40 feet! Just this one vine. So, be cautious of where they are growing.
But, I will definitely grow these again!
Wow I just love the idea of growing a luffa (loofah) and give as gifts...so unique and yes an interesting topic of conversation! LOL Well you gave me the courage...so my next research is what pest will be a problem for me in my zone 7a....thanks for the fun video and all the best to you from NY!
OMG! I grew loofah this year for the first time. I will grow it every year whether I get loofahs or not because I could not believe the amount of bees. I always have a problem with pollination because we don't for some reason here in Connecticut get a lot of activity with the bees. My garden has been horrible past couple years because of that. I've tried adding flowers and all kinds of other things and still had a problem with pollination. The loofah plants did the trick. The amount of bees was incredible. I literally was walking through the plants and the vines and the bees were there and as I walked through I said Thank You thank you thank you to all the bees that were swarming around me. It was so beautiful. I actually felt like I was having a conversation with the bees. Okay I know you're all going to think I'm weird now. LOL. Seriously though, if you want lots of veggies grow loofah to attract the pollinators. And by the way the loofah plants did very well also.
Not weird... I talk to my bees all the time :) you should consider getting a hive, well, two is better. 🐝
@@terrasokolovic7520 I was interested in doing just that however I got ill and I haven't been able to do much. In particular this year because of all my old age ailments. But seeing all those bees last year and being able to just walk through there and not worry about them bothering me almost seemed spiritual. I felt like they knew I wasn't there to harm them and they almost could feel the love and appreciation and so they never bothered me a bit. It was awesome. Maybe someday if I get better I'll be able to do something
@@nancymiller349 They feel the love most definitely! I pray you heal and have strength. There are healing frequencies the bees give us too. If you were my neighbour, I'd bring you to visit my bees anytime. Yah bless you! Much love ❤️
WOW I learn something knew today I never seen a loofa .😂 Thank you for sharing ❤️
I've grown luffa for years now. I add them to my soap. You are right about the bees!! I planted zinnia in front of them and i have never had so many bees!! I did think that the zinnias would be a nice smaller plant but they ended up 4 feet tall! Pretty anyway.
Hi Brian. Thanks for the loofa video. I didn’t plant them this year but bought my seeds from Baker Creek a while back for next year. I hope mine will look as good as yours. 😁
Thanks from Australia. Finally found a channel with great comprehensive information. Just subscribed. Thank you
Welcome!
You make peeling look so easy. My first year of growing them in the B.C. Kootenays. One is over 2 feet long! Climate is 4b so I started them indoors last February. Planted them high on a hill protected (and further warmed) by a stone wall. Covered them up with greenhouse plastic a week ago to extend the season a bit. I think I can baby them along till the end of October.
I had no idea that these did not come from the sea. I will definitely be adding them to my garden. Such fun. Thank you
Yes I did grow the loofah along with you this summer. The plant is beautiful and plan on growing more next summer. I live in southern Nevada extremely hot this summer and the loofah it self really didn't start to produce until the temps dropped. Looks like I will be getting a few large ones off of just one plant. Can't wait to grow more next summer ❤
Thats great!
You must live in Laughlin, NV. I just moved from there, after working in the Aquarius Casino as a Table Games Dealer! Lol. Small world. I would love to grow loofa.
@@DianeHasHopeInChrist I live in Pahrump NV. Extremely hot this summer and the loofah started to grow as soon as it cooled off some. In the past two weeks they have gotten very big. If you grow them they will do very good as soon as the temps start to drop. It's super hot where your at and I wish you good luck with the loofahs.
Yup, I thought it grew in the sea somewhere too! Growing next year for sure. I'm in So. Cal too and I'm guessing starting them in Spring? I'm going to check out your previous videos and gotta get some seeds! You should sell your seeds. Thanks for sharing.
Young green luffa are eddible and delicious. Popular summer vegi in Asia just like how zucchini is in the West. Young leaves and flowers are also edible.
Grew them for the first time this year, thank you for sharing how to harvest, looking forward to using them and also loved the flowers.
I just subscribed to your channel and I've been growing loofah for 3 years now and every season is different. Lol the frost is moving in tonight so I have to go pick all my loofah. So I hope they dry out inside on my drying rack. My first year growing, I had some over 4 ft long lol so I think I did good lol.
I grew my first loofah sponge plant this year as well! It is so satisfying to harvest them; although I have harvested two of them at the not quite ready stage but didn’t find it too difficult to peel and extract them from their skins. Yes, I had to use my whole hand and work it under the skin, but the slimy feel was kinda fun. Lol I guess I’ll have to wait until they ripen a bit more before I harvest the remaining loofahs. Thanks for the video showing the difference between the ripening process of the loofah sponges.
It is fun!!
I grew luffas this year, my first year. It was sooo exciting for me to watch them develop. They are beautiful plants and I love their smell as well. Mine are just now starting to turn yellow. So I guess I have to wait a week or two more. Thank you for you videos, I have learned so much from you this year. My garden was beautiful and is still producing. My bean pole especially. 😊
They do have a particular smell right? They remind me of Mexican food for some reason.
@@NextLevelGardening hey Brian. Nancy from Maui here. I planted loofah seeds about 2 months ago and have them growing on a homemade wire trellis. 7 plants in all and they are going crazy. They are already over 2 feet long! They seem skinnier than the ones you grew. But it’s beautiful. Thanks
This year the luffa were finally successful! I would have never tried it before watching your video. In hot San Antonio Texas, I planted the seed directly in early March and started harvesting at the end of June. Looks like in going to have 21 luffa from 1 plant.
Hi Brian, you can harvest green luffa. I finally got them growing but because my season turned earlier than expected I had to harvest green. Bake at 375 for 30 minutes and skin softens enough to harvest. Wash out in soapy water with few tablespoon of bleach plop into dehydrator or dry on counter and you have sponges. Of course seeds not viable because didn't hit full maturity.
Hope helps others in cooler seasons .
I never had a desire to grow luffa until I watched this video! Am definitely going to try them next year! Thanks!
Grew them this year, but let some get too brown and hard. Growing Birdhouse gourds and they stay on the vine until they are hard and dried out. I still have some luffa to harvest! Thanks for the video.
Yep! My first time, sooooo beautiful! I had to find if you had a video on how to harvest the loofah sponge! Learned a ton thank you so much I feel confident now! Having access to a sponge type product is a great tool for being self sufficient.
Definitely on must have for next year's garden. Can't wait to see the beatiful flowers and the gourds willbe my Christmas craft too!
With cutting back to about 12 containers , I didn’t grow them this year. After seeing this video, I’m going to plant it next year even though the comment from one viewer about squirrels getting into them made me nervous. I have squirrels like you have rats. 🙄
This year with growing in containers next to the house instead of grow boxes out in the yard, I had fewer squirrels. Although I did move my strawberries to the back deck and didn’t get even one berry to eat because the squirrels would come up on the deck and eat them. One would even pick the berries, and take them over to the chair at the head of the table on the deck. He would sit on the top of the chair cushion at the back of the chair and eat his feast. He’d leave one little bit of strawberry along with strawberry juice stains to let me know he was there 🤪
Seeing the beautiful loofah flowers and how much the bees love them, I may plant one in a pot at the far end of the deck where the container tops are about 4 feet below the floor level of the deck, and let it climb along the deck railings. Even if the squirrels get the loofahs, it would still be beautiful.
Thanks for the harvesting info in this one. Looks like great fun!
Be healthy, don’t push. Continued prayers for your health, love and hugs to you, Emilie, Noah and Boomer (saw a peek of him in this video)😉🤗❤️
WOW great video thanks for this information ❤ My husband and I bought about 2,000 of them I wasn't sure we could sell them all but thank God we had no trouble they all sold.
First year growing luffa. Luckily also first year with a large trellis, because they need it! Two plants are producing nonstop. Thanks for the tips on harvesting. I might have let them get too brown without your advice!
Thank you that was a very helpful video! This is my first year growing loofah's and I needed some advice! We live in zone 5 so I am very surprised to have such a nice crop!
This is the very best loofa video. I grew them last year but was stimied by the finished product. I did save them and the zipper works!
Thank you!
I grew them for the first time this year! They went crazy in my 10+ h of full sun per day…. they have been wonderful!! I’ve harvested 3-4 already but have 100 more to go…. SO excited! next year I’m going to have a better trellis for them… a tunnel of luffa… they are SO much fun! Last thing: if you do let one big one go dry and brown-black… don’t open it… you have a rain stick! ☮️☮️
Great video!! How educational, I wish I could grow those in NH.
I planted 4 seeds too. Four seeds turned into about 100 gourds, I am really not sure how many yet because they aren't finished ripening and I can't get into the jungle of luffa vines yet!
I grew one luffa plant this year and got 6 luffas total. You're right, the bees love luffa flowers!
I might just growing it next year! Thanks for sharing!
Great info and useful, my first year growing. They are beautiful vines and the pods are definitely a conversation starter. Im in northern Ca, and may have to bring mine in to complete the drying cycle, with freezing temps just around to corner. (Oct 1st today )
Make sure you get the Luffa Aegyptiaca SMOOTH variety if your plan is to have a sponge. They peel much easier and grow larger. The RIBBED type are much smaller and more suited as the EDIBLE variety. They can also become sponges but the removal of the Outer covering is much more difficult and does not come off like removing a glove.
Planning on growing these this year as I'm considering giving them a try as filter media for fish tanks, beyond actual use as sponges.
I am so glad your video showed up in my feed! Super great video! Thank you so much for the information! I greet them for the first time this year and got two and I was wondering what the next steps were! Again, thank you so much!
I am going to try to grow these this year. Thanks for the tips!
😁. Same - always thought it came from the ocean! Grew them for first time this year in Northern IL. And, if I remember correctly, got the idea from you 😁👍🏼. Sprouted indoors and too excited ... put them out too soon 🤭 frost got them. One seed left that sprouted, babied it, and wow! Did it grow! My honey bees were thrilled too! I was worried that I would need two plants, but nope - 5 gourds from one vine and now, thanks to you ! I Will wait a bit more as they are still green. Thank you! ❤️🐝🐝
Awesome!
First year growing from seeds obtained from a friend. After my llllong growing period, started inside in March, and now coming into October I have a dozen or so maturing. Can’t wait to make loofah soap with slices of loofah placed in molds with colorful glycerin soap making materials. Home made and home grown Holiday gifts for everyone this year! Super helpful info on when and how to harvest.
That peeling sounds must be the most satisfying! I have my 1st plants growing. Have a 3” baby loofa. ♥️🤞🏼
This is the first year I am growing luffa plant, I love it. Thank you so much for all the informative videos👍
You're welcome
I started mine in April knowing they wouldn’t develop in time. But they sure are a nice looking plant with beautiful flowers. It was more for a novelty this season I think. But will start mine indoors early next year to have some nice luffa
You can eat them like zucchini when they’re small - and they are delicious
I definitely want to grow some next year! I also had no idea where Luffa came from before watching your videos and it looks like fun to grow. You've inspired me.
It IS fun!
I really love the fact that we Don't grow lufa here in Africa but It has so much potential and I love to cultivate it please tell me more watching from Ghana 🇬🇭
I never received my seeds in the mail. Hopping to grow them next year when I can get seeds. Thank you for your informative videos. I am new at this and have really learned a lot.
I did grow luffa this year on a cattle panel arch. They are beautiful and the bees and wasps love the flowers too! I just harvested a couple and MY, OH MY the SEEDS! You weren’t kidding about the amount of seeds you get from one plant. I will definitely grow these every year. Beautiful addition to any garden.
I caught this video just as I was headed outside to pick my loofahs. Perfect timing 😁
Perfect!
Do loofas grow in zone 3?
Look at that gorgeous angel trumpet in the back. Ahhh I bet that smells amazing.
I heard you talk about your luffa plant before but, I thought that i just didnt know what you were talking about. Right! I didn't! 🤣 I am one of those who had no idea about luffa plants . Very interesting! I have to check out your other video, not sure if i want to grow that plant or not. thank you for your video.
It’s my first year growing Loofah. I got 6 Loofah Gourds from 2 plants. I’ve noticed that the Loofah Plants are not bothered by insects,bugs,and are disease resistant. I just harvested 4 Loofah’s. I will follow your way of processing them.
The 2020 crop was destroyed by hot winds. The 2021 crop was destroyed by bugs. The 2022 crop is doing great. Hope they ripen before cold weather. Your video is quite helpful. Thanks.
Very interesting! Doubt I could do them in the PNW as the growing season is not long enough but fun to see
Loofah is an Indian delacy in curries..very tasty and nutricious..lndians dont wait for sponges..although some would just for seeds
I’m growing now and didn’t know what to do. I decided to grow them when I learned they are from a plant and not from the sea! Lol! Thank you!
Thank you so much. Hi from Texas USA
My wife and i r totally hooked on watching this guy's videos. He is so captivating and the videos r so positive and educational. Cant wait to get the seeds n start the ''loofah growing adventure''...lol...
p.s. keep up a good job, dude,
n keep em coming !!!
Hey, thank you!😀
I’ve got about a dozen giant luffa on the vine right now. Thanks so much for the tips!
I grew some thus year and found your video, so I can learn when and how to harvest.
I grew it this season and now (OMG I THOUGHT JUST THE OCEAN TOO!) okay, leaning how, when to harvest and cut up/save seeds, etc. Thanks!!!
I remember using them when I was a child. First time to see how to harvest :)
I have bought my seeds already for next yr I'm very excited about growing luffa... thanks for all your helpful tips
Hi sir thank you so much for the information you share keep up the good works luffas is my favourite sponges my family really enjoyed it to used for shower body washing everyday can't wait for my seeds already order hope will arrive soon before hot summer starts here in Sydney Australia looks so much fun thank you nd God bless 👍👍
How cool!!! I thought they grew in the ocean !!! I will try them next year. Awesome video
I thought they came from the sea too 🙈🤣🤣🤣 .. definitely will try next year. Thank you! ☺️🤣
Thank you for video. Keep learning something new as a first time gardener this year.
Didn't grow them, but may try next year on my outer walls.
When are you doing your luffah seed (and other seed) giveaways? Since you have thousands of them anyway!!
LOL.
I’m excited to plant some next year!! Thanks for this video! How many plants did you plant?
I'm definitely growing these this year! What a great crop! Use it. Compost it. Comes back as the next crop. Perfect!
Fascinating thank you...I'd never heard of this....really very interesting 👍😊
I just got some seeds ordered and looking forward to growing these this year. Hopefully this works out, this will be my first time growing these.
So helpful, thank you. I grew them for the first time this year and was looking for info on how/when to harvest for sponges. Looking forward to when they're ready.
My first year to produce. I didn't grow it with you but I learned allot from your video again, thanks
I'm going to try to grow them next year for sure. It so interesting I didn't know anything about luffa also how long can you use a luffa before you discard them. Thanks for sharing.
When the luffa is not "scrubbing" any more, then you discard it. It will get too soft and start to fall apart. You'll see 👍☘️
I’ve been using one for about 5 years as a back scrubber.
Due to your luffa video last winter/spring I planted 2 luffa plants in a raised bed. I planned to let it grow up a 10 foot tower section at the end of the bed. I lost control of it. It covered the tower, tried to take over my bed of tomatoes and then took off to the woods 15 feet away. It grew up on the trees, attached to my power line drop to the house. There are several huge luffa's hanging from the power line drop up 14 feet in the air. It grew on up in the trees and I have luffa's hanging everywhere. One luffa is as high as the power transformer which is 25-30 feet in the air. I have more luffa's than I know what to do with. The blooms were so pretty all summer. They kept the bees busy. They were a lot of fun to grow as you said last spring. Thank you for a fun idea.
Wow you must live in a hot climate!
@@NextLevelGardening We live just west of Little Rock, Arkansas.
I grew luffa from baker creek this year and my vines went CRAZY. I swear over 50' long lines.
I grew them this year! We tried eating a couple and we just didn’t care for them. I find the inside is like a zucchini and the outside skin tasted like a green bean. I let my others dry out and we have sponges now! The plant is just beautiful! Bees all
Over them! I will grow next year, but not in one of my main raised beds like this year! They take over wherever they are planted for sure!
Thank you for showing the stages of its ripeness. I love the ease of peeling of it.
I'm growing luffa this year. I only had two luffa gourds until September 2022 after having planted my plants (zone 6b) in mid May.
Wow Those luffa are so cool I didn’t plant luffa but I think I will next year.thanks for advice too bye 😃👍🏼
So cool!! Thanks for sharing 👍 😊
I sowed my seeds in March indoors and then moved them outside where I lost them all. I threw a couple seeds in the dirt and did a Luffa dance, lol, and I got one strong plant that has produced 3 gourds!!!! Yeah, one is just about ready so that will definitely give me seeds for next year. 😁🌞😎
My luffa seeds just arrived - can’t wait to try after watching your videos!
I've just started my first loofahs!! I planted 5 seeds and 3 have sprouted, one is already sprouting secondary leaves. We live in Buffalo, NY...... needless to say even though it's March, we just had 6inches of snow. When would you say it's safe to plant them outside on the lattice, archway, and gondola? I just worry we get a cold spike and it kill my young sprouts
So cool! I’m in northern Idaho and do not see this growing anywhere so this was really exciting and very interesting. I may have to grow this as an experiment next year. Will need to definitely start seeds indoors though. Thanks for sharing!! Are they prone to powdery mildew?
So far mine has been almost pest and disease resistant. Even when next to other squash family that are covered in mildew
Next Level Gardening - California Garden TV all the more reason to give it a go! Thx 😊
When they’re yellow, I’ve noticed that much easier to peel and they actually have a white color rather than light brown
Hi..i live in Canada and this is my 3rd attempt at growing luffa..started them indoors in February...they didn't start producing fruit till beginning of August..i harvest 4 big luffas that were still green..not enough time to mature..i have to peel them green
They are on my grow list for next year. Can't wait!
I grew luffa....it hated the summer in Texas and struggled to grow much. As soon as the weather turned cooler (Below 90 degrees), it just popped! Growing all over my garden fence. Yay!
Oh good!
I recently discovered these strange things in my yard. My mom even cut my precious grape vines thinking that would get rid them. I’m so thankful to have found out that they are loofahs
Same here!!! I'm sooo addicted to watching all the videos! Loofah wow!
I planted in March and this heat in Arizona kept drying out the leaves, but suddenly they are going crazy! Yellow flowers abound! Wish me luck!
Show hand and I just harvested my first luffa yesterday! Now I’m going to watch this video! 😃
Inharvest when yello about to turn brown.. its waaay much softer and rarely have dark spots in them