Loofahs are great for exfoliating the skin, and while one of them is my normal shower companion, I had no idea what they are. I assumed that the coarse tubes were either natural sponges from the sea or maybe some kind of factory made. But it turns out to be actually a plant from the pumpkin family, and you can grow it right in your garden.
Your scientific name is Luffa aegyptiacaand its outside resembles a cucumber. On the inside you will find an edible, pumpkin-like meat that, when overripe, hardens into the familiar, peeling mesh tubes. Who knew, the entire time we were paying $ 5.99 per pop for store-bought loofahs when we could just pick them from the vine ourselves. Here’s what you need to know in order to grow an unlimited supply of scrubbing loofahs.
Prepare your seeds
Luffa seeds (or luffa seeds) can be purchased from your local gardening store or ordered online (AmazonI know it’s amazing. As with any planting process, you want to give them the best shot while germinating. Smart gardening recommends soaking the seeds Put water in a bowl for 24 hours before planting. (For even better results, use a heating pad to aid the germination process.)
Plant in warm environments
The loofah plant grows similar to summer squash and needs somewhere of it 150 to 200 consecutive warm days to grow and mature. So if you live in places like Florida or California, which have lots of beautiful sunny days, you are in a prime location for loofah growth. For those who live in cooler regions like the Northeast, you should first plant the seeds in pots around your house and then replant them outdoors just before the onset of summer. This is one of the toughest parts of the growing process, according to the DIY site The art of doing things;; They recommend using paper plant pots indoors so you can plant outdoors without removing them from the pots. “[reducing] the risk of transplant shock, to which loofah plants are susceptible. “Plant outdoors six to eight weeks before summer starts, you have the best chance of a healthy transplant.
Loofah plants can grow up to 30 feet tallSo when you’re ready to plant outside, you need something sturdy for the plant vines to hold on to, such as a garden stick. B. a chain link fence. Make sure your plant is in a location with lots of direct sun, otherwise the loofahs may not ripen. Smart gardening Remarks, “[i]It is important to … encourage rapid and even growth by maintaining soil moisture and feeding the plants regularly. ”
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Be patient and let the loofah turn brown
To achieve the desired fibrous loofah texture, plants need to mature beyond their edible phase. The bright green color of the outer skin should have turned a deep brown before picking. You can test if your loofah is ready for harvest by shaking it on the vine. after the garden plot The spruceWhen you hear the seeds rattle inside, the fibers are completely dry and hardened. (Keep in mind that this process can take anywhere from 150 to 200 days, so be patient.)
Peel and dry
After the plant has hardened, you should peel off the outer skin to reveal the fiber rod underneath. You can do this by Cracking the skin at the bottom (opposite the handle) and peel it off with your fingers. Squeeze the pumpkin to create cracks that make it easier to peel. You can also soak the plant in water to remove the skin when it is wet. However, this increases the subsequent drying time required before the loofah is ready for use.
When you have successfully removed all of the skin, knock out any remaining seeds (hold on to some next time you plan to plant new loofahs) and remove unwanted particles with soapy water. Put the loofah in the sun to dry it completely 24 hours, turn occasionally until it is completely dry. After the loofah is completely dry, it is ready to use immediately.
Congratulations. You just made your own loofah.
