How do I get dense Loofahs?

Gardening Reference » Gardening in 2004

« Prev thread: How do i cross breed daylilies?| Next thread: how do I get ivy to stick to a brick wall when newly planted by one? »
Back to Thread index

by DrFrank on June 01, 2004 02:34 AM

Have been growing loofahs for some time. The fruit is quite large and well shaped - am wondering how to increase the density of the dried plant - is it just a matter of variety or can I actually change the manner in which I grow them to change the density - would appreciate any help in this - dfsch@earthlink.net

* * * *
...down west we danced...we spirits of the moon...

by weezie13 on June 03, 2004 03:17 PM

Hey DrFrank,
Been meaning to post on this question,
just behind in everything,
we used to grow them when I was younger.
What fun it was to grow them....

I really don't have an answer,
**Phil might, he's our resident "Pumpkin~Expert" [teacher]

and might have a tip or two?? [critic]

In the meantime, hope you take a peak
around the forum, and Bill's site.
Alot of great info here and alot of
very nice people here.

Weezie

P.S. What do you do to your loofah's now?
And what do you do with them??
Just curious!

* * * *
Weezie

Don't forget to be kind to strangers. For some who have
done this have entertained angels without realizing it.
- Bible - Hebrews 13:2

http://photobucket.com/albums/y250/weezie13/

by DrFrank on June 03, 2004 05:54 PM

Hi Weezie -

I grow them for the fun of it and I use them for all kinds of scrubbing - me and the pots and pans -

also give them away - and recently began the process of making soap with them imbedded in the bar -

but for my personal scrubbing I like the loofah to be a little more dense than I am currently getting

thanx for the referral [Smile]

* * * *
...down west we danced...we spirits of the moon...

by weezie13 on June 03, 2004 06:06 PM

DrFrank,

The growing was usually easy for us,
it was the darn peeling that always got us [Mad]

What do you do to get them out easier??
Any tips and tricks?? [critic]

Weezie

* * * *
Weezie

Don't forget to be kind to strangers. For some who have
done this have entertained angels without realizing it.
- Bible - Hebrews 13:2

http://photobucket.com/albums/y250/weezie13/

by Bill on June 03, 2004 06:20 PM

I know nothing about growing loofahs but I am curious about what you feed them with. Phosphorus is used by the plant to increase fruit development and to produce a strong root system. Potassium is used by plants for flower color and size... You might want to do some experimenting to see any differences the fertilizer composition might make in relation to the density of your loofahs.

http://www.thegardenhelper.com/fertilizer.html

by DrFrank on June 03, 2004 06:30 PM

well the peeling is pretty easy if you wait for them to dry thoroughly - I have dried them on the vine and just sitting in the air and that seems to work pretty well - of course I am in Florida and the vine is in the sun - so it gets pretty warm

drfrank

* * * *
...down west we danced...we spirits of the moon...

by papito on June 03, 2004 09:47 PM

Not tryng to do any commercial here, but, there are Micronutrient foliar sprays like "Spray & Grow", "Superthrive", or other similarly formulated micronutrients in the market which may help to increase the fruit size of Loofah and hopefully the meat density along with it.

I use Spray & Grow but haven't tried Superthrive.

* * * *

Amor est vitae essentia.
Love is the essence of life.

by DrFrank on June 03, 2004 10:46 PM

Hi - aprreciate the feedback - but as I said - the fruits are very large and well formed - as big as I have ever seen them - and there are plenty of them - I hav e tried picking them early when they were smaller and as late as possible - still doesn't change the density of the dried loofah

* * * *
...down west we danced...we spirits of the moon...

Active Garden Forum

« Prev thread: How do i cross breed daylilies?| Next thread: how do I get ivy to stick to a brick wall when newly planted by one? »
Back to Thread index

Search The Garden Helper: