Growing Luffa seeds in the UK

StressedSteph

Hi,

Sorry if this has already been asked, I did a search for Luffa's and nothing came up.

I have been avidly reading Rhonda Jeans amazing blog and am getting in touch with the Earth mother within me . I would sooo like to adopt her way of life as much as possible. It's an inspiration to me :T

Anyway, I have seen her posts on growing your own Luffa and making fabulous looking Olive oil soap. Looks a great original way to make cheap gifts etc, let alone enjoying them myself throughout the year.

What I wondered is, Can WE in the UK grow Luffa seeds?? As she is in Australia, I am worried unless we have a heated greenhouse that this isn't possible????

Is there anyone out there that has had any success??

Many thanks in advance

Steph xxxx

squeaky

Hiya,

Perhaps the best place for this one is our green fingered board. If they don't know the answer they'll probably know where to find it. So I'll move you across.

Good luck

Penelope_Penguin

I grew some in my unheated polytunnel. They grew well, took over the tunnle, and produced teeny tiny loofas - good for buffing the ends of your toes, only :rolleyes:

You may get more responses on the Greenfingered Board.

penny. x

StressedSteph

Did'nt think of that board, sorry guys, thanks for moving me xx

Yategirl

StressedSteph wrote: »

Hi,

Sorry if this has already been asked, I did a search for Luffa's and nothing came up.

I have been avidly reading Rhonda Jeans amazing blog and am getting in touch with the Earth mother within me . I would sooo like to adopt her way of life as much as possible. It's an inspiration to me :T

Anyway, I have seen her posts on growing your own Luffa and making fabulous looking Olive oil soap. Looks a great original way to make cheap gifts etc, let alone enjoying them myself throughout the year.

What I wondered is, Can WE in the UK grow Luffa seeds?? As she is in Australia, I am worried unless we have a heated greenhouse that this isn't possible????

Is there anyone out there that has had any success??

Many thanks in advance

Steph xxxx

thanks for posting this question!! I too have read Rhona Jean's blog and would love to grow some luffas!!

You can buy the seeds as a "kiddy garden" kit so I would have thought we could grow them here otherwise there would be lots of disappointed children! From what I gather (and I by no means right) they like a hot sunny spot and do better in a greenhouse but an unheated one is ok....

must get some seeds and have a go!

thriftlady_2

Thanks from me too Steph, I was wondering exactly the same thing.

StressedSteph

Sounds like, so far not many of us have tried, so maybe this is the year we should all give it a go.
I will get some seeds and keep you updated.
xxx

frivolous_fay

My world has been turned upside down... I (and my friend) were convinced they came from the sea, like sponges.

:rotfl:

Patches41048

I was given a seed by a friend who brought it back from an egyptian holiday. I dont think her's did well but i haven't planted mine, and wasnt going to until this month.

I didnt realise they were a relative of the cucumber until i googled it last year. I was a bit worried they would be a bit rampant as i am converting a small shed into a kind of greenhouse this year in an attempt to give my seeds a good start and overwinter delicate plants.

If others are going to have a go we could compare ... I know im gonna try this year anyway.

StressedSteph

frivolous_fay wrote: »

My world has been turned upside down... I (and my friend) were convinced they came from the sea, like sponges.

:rotfl:

Hehe I am glad you said this, as I thought I was the only one that did'nt realise they grew like an Augerbine :T

MiaG

Hi Steph,

I'm also following the same blog! There are several companies I found that do sell luffah seeds which are:

"Half-hardy Annual. From the cucumber and marrow family, the Luffa is a rather curious example which originates from America. After drying, the fibrous internal structure of the Luffa magically transforms itself into a' sponge', 30cm (12 inches) long. Home-grown sponges, whatever next?! Treated as a half hardy annual in all areas, Luffa can be grown on any ordinary soil in a position of full sun. Climber."

Info from Thompson & Morgan UK online website

www.thompson-morgan.com/seeds1/group/luffa.html

Also at Victoriana Nurery Gardens -

www.victoriananursery.co.uk/vegetable_seeds/luffa_seed/

I too have been thinking about growing some and making some soap. Great minds ... as they say.

Hope this is useful