[Durgan]

14 September 2007 Loofah for Sponges.
 Luffa aegyptiaca Common Names: loofah, luffa, smooth loofah, sponge gourd, vegetable spongeFamily: Cucurbitaceae (pumpkin Family).

There are two trellis's in the garden, with a total of 12 large fruiting bodies on four plants. Sponges will be made when the fruit turns yellow and are dry. These plants require a growing season of about six or more months, so I start them in the greenhouse in February. The mesh size of the trellis is 6 inches, so the size of the fruiting body can be determined approximately from viewing the photographs. I still have sponges from two years ago. Apparently the fruit can be cooked and eaten, but I have never tried them.

The fruit must be bone dry before picking for sponge use, otherwise they rot.

[hermon]

wow, i thought luffas where grown in the sea! i know natural sponge is.
how long when used as luffas do they last for? i might try this next year, cheap Christmas pressies

[Durgan]

wow, i thought luffas where grown in the sea! i know natural sponge is.
how long when used as luffas do they last for? i might try this next year, cheap Christmas pressies :wink:

One loofah is in the bathtub and has been there for about a year. They never wear out as far as I can see. When this bvatch ripens I will post the pictures of the manufacturing process.