{"product_id":"15-louisiana-heirloom-dense-fabric-loofah-seeds-from-jimmy-luffa-uniform-medium-sized-fruits-with-very-dense-fabric-good-girth","title":"15 Louisiana  Heirloom Dense Fabric Loofah seeds from Jimmy Luffa; uniform medium sized fruits with very dense fabric \u0026 good girth","description":"\u003cdiv id=\"content-toggle-product-details-read-more\" class=\"wt-content-toggle__body wt-content-toggle__body--truncated wt-content-toggle__body--truncated-02\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\"\u003e\n        \u003cp data-product-details-description-text-content=\"\" class=\"wt-text-body-01 wt-break-word\"\u003e\n            15 Louisiana  Heirloom Dense Fabric Loofah seeds from Jimmy Luffa; uniform medium sized fruits with dense fabric \u0026amp; good girth; NOT EDIBLE!!!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLouisiana Heirloom is curated by Jim Hall, seeds were obtained from a famed luffa gardener in Louisiana.  https:\/\/youtu.be\/G7-LsJl8DtY?si=Mod0AT2G8K-qzeOk\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis variety has denser fabric than Virginia Huskies, yet with comparable early yield \u0026amp; high yield traits. pls see the last picture with four sponges by the window silt, Louisiana Heirloom is the leftmost one with least light penetration.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLuffa enthusiasts: we offer 20+ luffa varieties, probably has the most choices within USA (e.g. burpee, migardener \u0026amp; baker creek only offer a single variety)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWant to explore luffa sponge craft ideas? Pls visit https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?q=luffa+sponge+crafts\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis listing is for luffa seeds meant for harvesting sponges, hence the fruits are assumed not culinary\/edible.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMost processed Louisiana Heirloom sponges are about 15-18 inches in length, with 3-4” in diameter.  Please see the photo \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThese seeds are sourced from Jimmy Luffa of Virginia, aka For The Love Of Luffa on fb groups where Jim chimes in quite often. Jim has been growing luffa exclusively for sponges for many years near the coastal area of VA.\u003cbr\u003eIf you are interested in procuring dried luffa gourds or processed sponges, Jim can be reached via  farm [!at] EmpowerMaui.com\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAny luffa growing related questions or comments?  please feel free to message...\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHow to start luffa seedlings from seeds:\u003cbr\u003e- Here in SW Chicago 'burb zone 5B, I start the luffa seeds indoor between late April and early May, \u003cbr\u003e- Pre-soak seeds overnight is fine but excessive soaking does more harm than good.  \u003cbr\u003e- Scarification (use sandpaper, nail filer or nail clipper) is optional only if you want to achieve high germination rate \u003cbr\u003e- I use 1020 tray with 36 cells, fill the cells with Jiffy seed starter mix\u003cbr\u003e- if seedling tray has no humidity dome, clear food wrap is fine to retain moisture for the first two weeks\u003cbr\u003e- highly recommended to use heating mat \u0026amp; grow light, most luffa seeds should germinate within two weeks when soil temp is maintained at 80F or warmer\u003cbr\u003e- I harden the seedlings inside a coldframe or greenhouse.  This way seedlings growth speed up and transplant shocks greatly reduced\u003cbr\u003e- i transplant them around Memorial Day weekend (late May). Transplant too early the seedlings could get stunned by the low overnight temps.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLuffa flowering starts by mid July (here in 5B) and continue setting fruits until hard frost hit.  Best to grow these luffa gourds organically, powered by my homestead poultry manure and compost.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEach vine should be planted at least two feet apart.  Prepare each hill with well drained fertile soil with lots of organic matters; each hill should be at least 12\" deep and 18\" wide.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eExpect about 6 to 10 fruits per vine, depending on your climate.  I would pinch off the rest of the branch once a female bud finishes flowering. Build trellis, arbor, arch or meshed wire fence to let the vines roam, maximum sun exposure would be ideal for utmost fruit production.  100 sqft aerial space per vine is highly recommended. My favorite luffa trellis setup is cattle panels mounted on 7-ft T-posts to form elevated arch.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTo save the luffa sponge, leave the desired fruits on the vine as long as possible (without frost damage), then hang it in a ventilated place until fully dried, you can then shake the luffa gourd and hear the seeds tumbling downward.  The luffa gourd skin will then come off very easily simply by rubbing \u0026amp; peeling off the exterior. The fully dried sponge weighs just several ounces.  If the not-fully-dried fruit start showing signs of molding, then peel off the skin right away to salvage the sponge and the seeds.  Any black moldy areas on the sponge could be whitened using bleach or vinegar.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSome rationales for growing luffa:\u003cbr\u003e- luffa sponge is natural renewable resources, wonderful for washing dishes \u0026amp; exfoliations.\u003cbr\u003e- attract honeybees\u003cbr\u003e- edible landscape (for culinary varieties that produce sponges too)\u003cbr\u003e- talking piece with neighbors, kins, friends \u0026amp; passersby\u003cbr\u003e- fun family projects for making sponge crafts, such as soaps\n        \u003c\/p\u003e\n        \n    \u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Scofftradellc","offers":[{"title":"15 seeds","offer_id":46780117876908,"sku":"12GGRR5","price":1.4,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0051\/2684\/files\/Output_128.jpg?v=1784279301","url":"https:\/\/scofftradellc.com\/products\/15-louisiana-heirloom-dense-fabric-loofah-seeds-from-jimmy-luffa-uniform-medium-sized-fruits-with-very-dense-fabric-good-girth","provider":"Scofftradellc","version":"1.0","type":"link"}