FREE: Luffa Gourd Seeds, (Luffa cylindrica)

The listing, Luffa Gourd Seeds, (Luffa cylindrica) has ended.

This auction is for 12 seeds
Plant in full sun with a trellis for straight gourds or allow to crawl along the ground for curvier shapes. Water well until fruit set, then allow to dry naturally on the vine if you wish to make luffas. Pick them young if you wish to eat them, Like most squash they toughen and become bitter as they age. Don't fertilize these they will make all vine and no squash.

These are Smooth luffa - (Luffa cylindrica): Dishrag gourd (loofah) originated in India and was later taken to China. Left to mature on the plant the squash will produce the familiar "Luffa sponge" found in stores and used as a dishrag or great back-scrubber (hence the name). Soak the light brown mature gourd in 10% bleach for 24 hours, then peel off the skin and allow dry.
Warm season, plant after all danger of frost is past. Do not transplant well.

Most of the luffa grown in the world are for the young squash like fruits.
Slice Luffa into 1" pieces and stir-fry with shrimp in a tempura batter and cooked in oyster sauce; or simply stir-fry in butter or olive oil, with onions or with other vegetables. Be careful not to overcook or it will become mushy.