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Luffa Squash or Dishcloth Gourd - Ferme de Sainte Marthe Seeds

Luffa cylindrica
Sponge Gourd, Smooth Loofah, Vegetable sponge, Egyptian Cucumber, Vietnamese Luffa

3,7/5
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I ordered 2 packets of these seeds, and managed to get 5 plants. 4 stayed at 10 cm (4in) and then dried up, and the 5th one took a long time to develop. Currently, it produces flowers every day, but they fall off in the morning due to lack of warmth.

Jérémy G., 08/10/2019

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Available in 2 sizes

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This plant carries a 6 months recovery warranty

More information

'Luffa' or 'Loofah' Squash is a bitter variety that is mainly grown to make natural sponges. This tropical variety particularly likes heat and sunny locations. The climbing vines produce large yellow flowers and 3 to 6 courgette-like fruits that measure 25 to 55 cm in length. Sow in April and harvest from October to November. Certified organic seeds.
Ease of cultivation
Amateur
Height at maturity
2.50 m
Spread at maturity
50 cm
Soil moisture
Moist soil
Germination time (days)
10 days
Sowing method
Direct sowing, Sowing under cover, Sowing under cover with heat
Sowing period April
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Harvest time October to November
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Description

'Luffa' or 'Loofah' Squash, sometimes called Sponge or Dishcloth gourd, is a bitter variety that is mainly grown to make natural sponges. Native to South-East Asia or Africa, this tropical variety particularly likes heat and sunny locations. The climbing vines produce large yellow flowers and courgette-like fruits that measure 25 to 55 cm in length. Each plant yields about 3 to 6 fruits. To make sponges, the fruits needs to be dried for as long as possible, until October at least. If the weather conditions are unfavourable, the gourds can be dried indoors in a dry and well-ventilated place. They are then peeled, ridden of their seeds and cut to size. Sow in April and harvest from October to November.

Orange, green, red, yellow, black or blue; smooth, ribbed, bumpy, hard-skinned, soft-skinned... Summer and winter squash comes in an astonishing array of shapes, colours and sizes due to their ability to hybridise easily. Winter squash refers to all pumpkins and squashes with tough skin and delicately sweet flesh. Summer squash, including courgettes (or zucchini), are different varieties that are harvested young, whilst the skin and seeds are still tender.

Both summer and winter squash are native to America and belong to the large Cucurbitaceae or gourd family (also known as cucurbits). They were introduced in Europe during the 16th century. The plants are generally annual vines that use tendrils for support. They are monoecious, meaning that both male and female flowers are produced on the same plant. Female flowers are easily identified by an inferior ovary located at the base of the flower, which will become a fruit when pollinated. The edible male squash blossoms are often harvested after pollination then fried or stuffed. The female flowers are edible too, however picking them will of course result in fewer fruits. Squash is a very versatile vegetable that is delicious roasted, in gratin or blended into delicious soups. Courgette is a staple ingredient in ratatouille, couscous and many other popular Mediterranean dishes. Both courgette and squash are low in calories and high in minerals and vitamins, especially provitamin A and vitamin B.

Harvesting: Squashes should preferably be harvested at full maturity, unless they are liable to rot when left on the plant. If this is the case, they can be brought indoors to finish their maturation. Courgettes are harvested whilst they are still young and tender. Handle summer and winter squash with care to avoid damaging the skin.

Storage: Courgettes do not store well because of their fine skin. It is possible to freeze them in slices for later use. Thick-skinned winter squashes will keep for several months and can be eaten all winter long. Unlike other fruits and vegetables, they store better in a warm, dry place. No need to store them in the dark: they are great to decorate the house during the colder months!

Good to know: Placing the squash fruits on top of a slate or roof tile will keep them from being in direct contact with the ground. This prevents them from rotting due to excessive humidity. Squash and courgette plants favour moist soil and benefit from mulching, especially during the hotter summer months. Both are very prone to powdery mildew (a fungal disease that causes a white down to form on the surface of the leaves). When watering, try to avoid getting water on the leaves or flowers. Grow your squash plants alongside alliums such as chives, onions or shallots or members of the Fabaceae family (formerly legumes) such as beans or peas. Avoid growing them next to cucumber plants.

Even if the vegetable garden is first and foremost a place for growing great quality veg, it’s always a good idea to leave a bit of room for flowers. Growing flowers alongside your vegetable plants will make your general gardening experience more enjoyable and is a great way to attract pollinators and repel garden pests! Flowers such as gaillardia, marigolds, zinnias, cosmos or nasturtiums can be sown in and around the rows of vegetables. Herbs such as dill can be very useful also. Bear in mind that some companion plants self-seed easily and can be a bit invasive (borage, chives, lemon balm etc.)

NB. Organic seeds (in French "AB" for "Agriculture Biologique") are produced from plants that aren't treated with phytosanitary products (insecticides, weed killers). The seeds do not undergo post-harvest treatment. They carry the AB label and are approved by Ecocert, an independent structure.

Harvest

Harvest time October to November
Type of vegetable Fruit vegetable
Vegetable colour green
Size of vegetable Large
Interest Productive

Plant habit

Height at maturity 2.50 m
Spread at maturity 50 cm
Growth rate normal

Foliage

Foliage persistence Deciduous
Foliage colour dark green

Botanical data

Genus

Luffa

Species

cylindrica

Family

Cucurbitaceae

Other common names

Sponge Gourd, Smooth Loofah, Vegetable sponge, Egyptian Cucumber, Vietnamese Luffa

Origin

Southeast Asia

Annual / Perennial

Annual

Product reference31171

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Planting and care

Description du semis : les semis des courges et courgettes est chose très gratifiant à la fois pour la rapidité de la levée des plants que pour la facilité de culture. Elles ont besoin d'une terre bien drainée et riche en matières organiques. Elles demandent aussi pour de beaux fruits beaucoup de soleil et beaucoup d'eau.  

En culture précoce : en mars ou avril semez vos graines en poquets par deux ou trois dans des caissettes ou des pots avec une terre riche en matières organiques. Recouvrez alors légèrement puis arrosez afin de maintenir toujours une légère humidité. La levée est assez rapide : au terme d'une dizaine de jours il est déjà temps d'éclaircir en choisissant les pieds les plus robustes et allez les repiquer en pleine terre que vous aurez ameublie au préalable. Chaque pied exige beaucoup de place. Dans la mesure du possible, espacez-les de 1 m. Creusez des trous de 20 à 25 cm en tous sens que vous remplirez au deux-tiers de compost. Positionnez alors le plant et remettez la terre puis tassez vigoureusement.

En culture de saison : une fois tout risque de gelé écarté, c'est-à-dire fin avril ou mai selon les régions, semez en poquets deux à trois graines à 2 à 3 cm de profondeur. Tassez légèrement, puis attendez une dizaine de jours avant de voir apparaître les premières pousses. Lorsqu'elles auront atteint quelques cm, éclaircissez en ne conservant que les pieds les plus robustes.

La récolte s'effectue dès juillet pour les courgettes cueillies immatures. Les courges, sont cueillies à l'automne. Une méthode simple pour connaître le moment opportun de la récolte est d'observer le pédoncule. s'il est bien sec, et que le fruit est prêt à se détacher de lui-même, c'est que ce moment est arrivé.

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Seedlings

Sowing period April
Sowing method Direct sowing, Sowing under cover, Sowing under cover with heat
Germination time (days) 10 days

Care

Soil moisture Dry
Disease resistance Good
Pruning No pruning necessary

Intended location

Type of use Vegetable garden
Hardiness Hardy down to 1°C (USDA zone 10b) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Exposure Sun
Soil pH Any
Soil type Silty-loamy (rich and light), 130
3,7/5
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