It's Friday and I'm doing the happy dance because my Luffa Gourd vine finally flowered!
I planted this vine from seed (botanical interests) way back on March 1st 2008.
When I read about the real long growing season that Luffa Gourds need I was 
left feeling pretty hopeless that I'd ever be bathing using a home grown Luffa. But, now that I have an actual flower, I'm more hopeful. Still, it's already almost September, so I need this bad boy to move it along, STAT!
If you've grown Luffa Gourd before, I'd love to hear your story.
(Are you really doing that dance?)
ReplyDeleteI've not grown your type of gourd. Apple, bottle, pumpkin gourds yes. As a matter of fact, I don't even know what a luffa is and too lazy to google it.
tc - thanks for stopping by. i've edited the post to include the link to Wiki for Luffa. Sorry, I thought it was already there but I guess I was rushing a little too much this morning.
ReplyDeleteI have grown luffa way back in the 70s...I don't remember how long they took to grow...sorry! And since we have a really long growing season it's possible it did take a long time. But I did get good sponges!
ReplyDeleteGina: How nice of you to overlook my laziness and provide the Wiki link that defines luffa gourd. What are those other wash thingeys called?
ReplyDelete(I think your blog needs to be included in my list.)
My mom told me they were awesome and I should grow them, but I thought I found that my growing season was too short in zone 6b, but maybe I'm misremembering. Hope yours work out.
ReplyDeleteMy luffa just set fruit yesterday. I sowed the seed on July 4th, and I am quite excited to see it flower a few days ago.
ReplyDeleteLooks like your are growing smooth luffa for making sponges? I am growing angled luffa, and I plant to eat them!
What a beautiful bloom, Gina! I've contemplated growing luffa, but haven't. I hope you get sponges!!
ReplyDeleteI'm only a luffa bather. Each lasts about a year. I bought them at Sahadi's in Brooklyn. They probably got them in Egypt or Lebanon. Now I live in Chicago and don't know where to get them. The good Lord did not have to invent this perfect sponge but He did. They have exactly the right texture and great longevity. Some still have seeds left in them which I collected but they are probably not fertile after the gourd has been processed.
ReplyDelete