In philippines they call this patola. They're harvested when they're young and not yet fibrous, and used in cooking similarly to how zuchini is used. Great in chicken soup.
try young luffa soup. when it's soft, green and before the fibres develop. the flesh is a soft vegetable. if you harvest it young enough, even the seeds are baby soft. i peel it, chop or cube it, then sautee it in onions, garlic, ginger, an optional bit of meat. add broth. bring to boil. add thin noodles. some people add moringa leaves. yummy healthy treat.
You’ve been a great source of happiness and peace for me, here in Melbourne Australia. You have the sweetest disposition and your excitement for the garden is contagious! Peace and love!
It's so encouraging for beginning gardeners to see that even the experts get stumped sometimes! I'm so happy for you that you finally got your luffa! My neighbor gave me some luffa seeds last year, but I put them up for safekeeping, and you know what that means, lol.
I live in Michigan I have no problems with transplanting , however the problem is they are still green when the first frost comes and i have to pick them all early. I have 6 on my counter right now that are 12- 14 inches long and beautiful but they are dark green. Same thing happened last year.
One of my favorite vegetables growing up in a Taiwanese household. So many ways to prepare it (really delicious with small shrimp or dried shrimp) or in a soup and it’s very nutritious! Let it grow old and you’ve got a sponge. Probably one of the most versatile plants!
The loofah grows very well in our South African climate and bears in abundance. We harvest them when they are still young, green and soft and cook them in a curry. It's delicious on its own but many like to add a little dried shrimps or fish to enhance the flavour. It can also be cooked with fava beans (double beans).The fruit that get too firm to cook are left to dry and we use the sponge in the bath.
You sound like me!!!! “I thought I planted a loofah but instead it was cucumber.” Omg I’m laughing hard because instead of a cucumber for me it’s birdhouse gourd! Hahaha I think my kids did it but it’s been fun watching it grow.
I ordered kale seeds from Sweden once, thinking I might be able to grow some on my balcony during the long and warm Croatian autumn, and make Swedish Christmas kale. Well, I did think the one plant that grew from those seeds looked a bit different, but it was also kind of fun to harvest a cantaloupe melon on the balcony in November 😆 I still don't know how I didn't see that the seeds couldn't possibly be kale.
This is so fun! Congrats! I grew my first luffas this year. I live in Redlands, which is about 2 hrs north of you and has a hot inland climate. I started 4 plants in March and transplanted them twice (once into bigger pots because my raised beds weren't finished yet, and then finally into my raised beds). Those things turned into monsters and took over my garden! I started harvesting in August and the vines are still covered with more gourds; I'm at the point where I'm cutting off the new baby luffas because I can't handle any more. I think I'm going to end up with about 75 luffas, many of which are over 2 ft long!
I use luffas for dishes. More environmentally friendly, never gets that sponge stench. When I lived with the Hmong tribe in Northern Vietnam, we grew them and ate them.
We’re so glad our Victory Planter helped you finally grow an epic luffa sponge!! Thanks to your challenge, we grew luffa too, and loved it. It’s a beautiful vine!
Wow.......these things are a weed in my city (Lagos, Nigeria). They grow everywhere so i have never thought of growing them. I think i would give it a try now. Love your channel.
We need more things like this happening in schools 💚 Children need to be taught how to grow food. We are homeschooling and my children help in the garden.
Hey Epic Gardening! Your channel is so helpful. I'm 13 years old and decided to grow radishes and beet (People said they grew fast). I planted them. The beetroot germinated, but soon died. I planted the radishes and some of them died, and some of them are alive. I think I overwatered them (I gave them water everyday). I did it because i saw the soil was dry (People said keep their soil moist). Did I over water them or under water? If anyone could respond or even you Epic Gardening it would be helpful :D
@@nikhilapte4782 It's a bit hard to recommend how much to water without knowing the climate/season that you were growing in. For example, my area gets a lot of rain and doesn't require watering at all in spring/fall, whereas Epic Gardener is in sunny Cali and would probably need to water more often. The best way to check for soil moisture is sticking a finger (or stick) in an inch or so and seeing if the soil is dark rather than just looking at the surface. Also instead of watering everyday maybe try deep-watering once/twice a week, that way it gets down to the roots instead of evaporating straight away from warm weather (there's a lot of videos explaining deep-watering that may be helpful). Hope your beets turn out well! And try again next year, sometimes it takes multiple tries to get a harvest from certain crops, like Kevin and his Luffa xD
I've found that humidity domes are absolutely essential for germinating seeds since it keeps the soil at a good moisture level. If you don't have a dome and have a small enough pot you are planting in, take a ziplock bag big enough and put it over the pot. It's not as good at keeping the soil moist as a humidity some would be, but it's better than straight open air.
Dreams do come true haha. Such a romantic! Dude that was definitely satisfying. I feel the excitement and the luffa gods must be pleased. Definitely growing luffa next year. Keep on growing epic team
Plant Daddy !!! Congratulations on your newborn Luffa! 2 years is a long gestation but at least the delivery was quick and painless. How long before Baby Luffa #2 gets her cord cut? Look at all those seeds! Get them planted when the time is right and you'll be a Plant Grand-Daddy next year. Watching this is the most fun I've had in ages!
When I was a kid we grow so much of these in our farm in the Philippines, now being in zone 7a here in the state I really appreciate tropical weather where you can grow anything with ease!
Mazel Tov! The best thing about a home grown luffa is sewing on two cotton rope or tape handles and then scrubbing the middle of your back - especially the lattermost part.
I usually plant these every year, but with Michigan's weather, tons of rain these past 3 years, it's been a super challenge to get anything to grow fully let alone to ripen. Thankfull I have new polleninaters this year and it's fun again . A joy to be in the garden again.🥰 LOVE YOUR CHANNEL, KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK
looks amazing! I was talking to a grower at the Santa Barbra farmers market who was selling luffas and she said she likes to peel them at this stage, and not completely dry and brown because the fibers aren't damaged by sticking to the peel as much and its easier to peel. I haven't grown one yet maybe next year, but I think you picked it at the perfect time. looking forward to the tips and tricks next year. encouraged that you are able to grow it in containers!
We grow Luffa primarily for food. Its young fruits, young leaves, flowers can be cooked in several ways. When we cannot consume all, we just let the fruit mature for seeds, and for fibre production. We use the fibre as a body sponge/scrub when taking a shower or bath, use it to wash and scrub utensils as well. My family in the Philippines have been doing this since 1960s to the present. All organic. No need to buy any kind of inorganic sponge material. Good for the environment.
Glad to see you back Kevin!Love the way that you explain to me about your plants!Keep it up!I love your content and one day you will be rewarded with the diamond play button!Almost there to a million subs!I'll be supporting you always! :)
I was so happy to see this video. A whole video on luffa. Thank you. I germinated three luffa; gave one to a neighbor, and planted two in large pots which I placed at the base of a wood arbor swing. I remember seeing your luffa climbing a tall trellis in your front yard garden in the spring and felt encouraged to give this plant a strong place to grow. I only got two total sponges to grow from both my plants, but my neighbor reports he got two from the one plant I gave him! Kevin, you encouraged me to keep going when I couldn’t get any female flowers to open, and I’m glad I waited. In anticipation of the fall NJ weather I had to bring in my luffas. Because they were in pots I was able to bring one of the entire plants in, so that sponge is still green and healthy. The second is starting to soften, but thanks to this video, I know now not to peel it until it looks like a banana. I will definitely be growing more next year, so I will follow along with your challenge in 2021. Cheers!
Thank you for this video! I just looked up I can probaly grow luffa in zone 6 but we shall see LOL... I tried a luffa sponge to replace my kitchen sponges and end up loving it. TBH they last waaaay loooonger than my dish sponges because they don't stink up after a long time of uses!~ TBH they don't scrub as well but it does a good job for everyday dishes.
Wow, congrats on your first full-fledged loofah - it’s a beauty! And today I learned that loofahs come from plants and not from Target 😬. I never hear of people growing loofah here on the east coast where I am, so thanks for sharing and teaching me something!
“Let’s go asmr” (N.E.V.E.R stops talking!!!!) “I’ve gotta be quiet” (STILLLLL yammering!!) Lol. Thanks for the video. I didn’t realize how finicky these were to grow. My grandmother used to grow them. She had 8 kids/kid-in-laws and 15 grandchildren and every year for Christmas we ALL got a new loofa and so did her friends in Sunday school and her neighbors, all in a climate that has harsh winters. I just assumed they grew like weeds.
My mother in law grows them in the back yard and has no issues growing them. She gets a huge haul growing them from the ground here in the Houston area. They get to be HUGE. You have to cut them down to 4 pieces. And yes, you shake them and hear the seeds rattling around. Let them dry out a lot more in the future.
For the (8) people that gave this video a thumbs down too bad they have so much negativity in their heart and soul. Great job Kevin not only was the video a great way to start our day because you made us smile, you also showed that patience is the key to gardening. 🤙🏼
Third time's a charm I guess, because this year has been the first bountiful one I've had growing these. I've been growing these on, oddly enough, a north facing wall that only gets direct sunlight until roughly 1PM. I have them growing in a Kratky hydroponic system, and the root system in the bucket is insane. The vines are reaching 15' at this point and show no sign of stopping. The flowers open around dusk and the bumblebees can't get enough of them! I have one luffa about 16" in length. These have been so fun to grow!
lol you are a natural comedian...0) i had to stop at 3.42 cos laughing too much to hear what you were saying. I LOVE how transparent you are.....right! back to the video! xxxx
I started mine inside. We had a hot spring, so I set it out and then 2020 gave us the cold spell... And it sat and sat and sat - I thought it was done for... And then it took off again! I got 5 luffa (2 are 18", and 3 are 3 ft long!!!). Only the little ones turned color, the big ones stayed dark green. Due to cold temps coming on and having freezing nights a couple times, I brought the green ones in (today) and manually cleaned them out and have luffa. WOO HOO
In Nipomo, CA there is a small luffa farm where they give tours and sell the luffas they grow, very interesting. They are so much better than the kind you get in the store that have been processed with chemicals so they are stiff and get gross. AND luffas can be used to clean with, nice scrubber!
the Tags on all my vines washed away (thanks sharpie PERMANANT MARKERS) So I broke leaves and smelled/tasted them to help guess. I thought the huge vine was a butternut squash... but it still hasn't flowered mid september. Then I remember I planted a loofa too... and they dont flower till days are shorter. My 5'x5' greenhouse only has 2 sun loving plants in it, and it's completely full because I trained the vines on the shelves (and out the windows to climb more). Only have one Cantaloupe on the other vine getting pretty big so far but nothing yet on the loofas. I just bonemealed and added a new layer of soil, Fingers crossed they start flowering.
Note: It's been a very cool rainy summer here in Zone 6 new England... last year my loofas struggled and died early... I'm guessing they like 70's 80's and lots of Rain. We've only had two 4-5 day streaks over 90 and never hit 100 this year. I might have accidentally broken the code to loofa growing... live in Seattle or London weather lol
I knew the word "luffa" and knew it to mean a thing you used in the shower. But, I never knew they were grown. I have only ever known of the plastic variety.
First time growing Luffa's this year up in Zone 4a Ontario Canada. Grew about 30 vines, started them indoors in March and transplanted in June. Crushing it, I have over 50 growing now. If I can grow these in a cold climate, anyone should be able to grow them
I love how Kevin is so interested in plants. He even called it a beautiful creature😊 that warmed my heart. I love my plant babies, I'm sure his plant babies love him so much.
I have already been growing luffa for 2 years, but I had to watch this just for your excitement lol. So happy that you finally got your luffa, congrats!
that's so easy to grow here in the Philippines...we call it "patola"🌳😎😆(pronounced with short A like in Abort)...it's one of those "popular" vegetables here in the Philippines
I have had fantastic luck with loofahs this year ... my first year growing them. I have about 50 growing from four seedlings that took. Two matured and pealed so far. So satisfying. Ideally, everyone will be getting a loofah for Christmas. I hope to make soaps with them too. Then there's my pumpkins. I'll be lucky to get two!
I saw that video of that eastern european guy with a luffa farm. He grew these massive ones and i believe fermented them in a large cauldron. I had always thought sponges were either artificial or had come from the ocean. Once I realised there was an eco friendly way to make sponges, I became much more open to the idea
Grew our first luffas in our MG demo garden this year here in San Jose. Transplanted them in late May along with an apple gourd and a birdhouse gourd. Plants have been prolific and we harvested our first 2 luffas last week. Peeling was super exciting, just like you in the video! Looking forward to many more ripening in the next few weeks.
It's funny to see the struggle to grow this plant, when back at my house in Brazil we have them growing like crazy, even tho no one ever planted them haha.
Congrats Kevin on your tenacity and success!! I have to laugh, because, we all have had a challenging plant that simply won’t work for us and our anxiety is exactly the same. But to have the wrong seed put a years growing opportunity in the toilet is beyond the pale!!! After all, it’s more than enough to deal with weather and pests....but wrong seed? Just too insulting!😬 I look forward to your forthcoming video on luffa growing. Enjoy that sponge!!!!!👍🏻
Hi sir Luffas is my favourite sponges my family really enjoyed it to used for shower body washing with soaps everyday very useful plants I really enjoying watching different videos from everyone growing Luffas makes me very excited and so much fun to watch thank you so much for sharing 👍👍
I love growing luffas! Last year I had roughly 40 luffas and 2 of them yielded a sponge but it was educational. I live in north Georgia and we had a rare freeze in October that zapped the vine. I figure i was a couple of weeks away from a great harvest. I let them hang on the vine until December hoping they would continue to mature but once the vine is zapped they stop maturing. This year i was able to get them in the ground earlier and I’m hoping for a normal freeze. I just wish these gardening channels would announce their grow zone in the description so we can know if we’re roughly starting from the same zone. Besides that thank you for sharing!!
Your journey and fascination with luffa is very much like my own journey with pawpaw fruit trees. Lol! That was a very satisfying peel. I loved seeing your enthusiasm. Congratulations on your success!
I've grown luffa successfully for about 8 years now. They take a long time to germinate and they LOVE the heat! They have a long grow season. I'm on the gulf coast of Texas so they do pretty well for me. My only issue is that there is no market for them. I gift them to relatives and friends at Christmas and use them for tons of things around the house.
I ordered some seeds from somewhere online and a long time later I received a small envelope from China that said "Jewelry" on the label. It was about 20 seeds. I will be taking it to our county ag office to determine if they are really luffa seeds or some crazy imposter seed. Don't recall who I ordered them from.
Iv been loving watching my luffa grow. One transplant failed the 2nd was a success and a half! I have 2 luffa growing at the same time that are longer than my arm! When it starts putting effort in the newer luffas ill pop em and try to eat the younger ones
omg i failed last year to grow my loofah and it was difficult from the beginning... didn't want to do that again but i'll try once more after i heard your story. Thanks
I just purchased your book "Field Guide to Urban Gardening: How to Grow Plants, No Matter Where You Live..." So much content for 23 bucks! Beautiful Book...I purchased the spiral bound version. Thanks Kevin!!
My first year growing luffa was also a bust. 🥴 I live in Michigan and our growing season is short so I start my seeds inside to give it a head start. I can't wait for them to dry out on the vine. I do a lot of soaking and cutting the skin off. I harvest about 10-20 luffas a year. The most amazing plant ever.
I love learning and you just taught me that the things I've used my entire life is made from a plant and not man-made and manufactured in the way I have always thought. Subscribed! Keep the knowledge and stuff coming loved the video!
I planted mine too late, in late July and there is only one Luffa, which I am still happy about. I will definitely start way earlier next year to have at least a dozen of Luffas! I use it as a dish sponge.
I forgot 3 planted 3 of these and when they sprouted I assumed they were cucumbers until the flowers bloomed. Now I have vines growing up the back of my house lol. I currently have 7 gourds and I’m so excited!
I totally understand your excitement, I also planted one summer 2020 and like you I also transplanted it, it took but was very sad looking, Had 1 flower and a fruit which....yup, you got it. It fell off. Because I live in zone 5a and need to start indoors and not knowing they did not like to be transplanted. I will not give up. Will try again this year but start it in the container that I will just move outdoors. Love your videos.
🤣 you are so funny！ great job! The peeling is absolutely appealing! Luff is extremely productive if you get them the right condition! One plant can give you 10-15 large fruits. You need to give it space to crawl and pinch off the main stem when it gets over 3-4feet. Actually Luffa start fruiting when the nights get shorter and the day/night temperature differences gets larger. That’s why you don’t see those female flowers in the beginning when it is still in the mid of summertime. BTW, young luffa fruits are super yummy! Chop that green one up and make a stir fry or soup out of it! You won’t regret!
What should I challenge myself to grow next year and document for you guys?
Have you grown Melons?
Birdhouse gourds!!!
Vanilla Orchid for sure. All the temperament of an orchid with a needy fruit lol
Ground cherries
Asparagus... Coconut tree.
In philippines they call this patola. They're harvested when they're young and not yet fibrous, and used in cooking similarly to how zuchini is used. Great in chicken soup.
Nag kalat Lang to satin HAHAHA
Same
In India and Pakistan
Nice I figured they were edible
My friend(has a filipino girlfriend)literally told me this is his favorite thing with them a few hours ago when I mentioned I was growing them.
Wait this is patola??? Di ko alam hahaha
"We're birthing!" Hahaha. You're so weird 😂 Congratulations on your new loofah babies.
😂
Not weird! He loves sharing moments! Thank you Mr. Epic!
try young luffa soup. when it's soft, green and before the fibres develop. the flesh is a soft vegetable. if you harvest it young enough, even the seeds are baby soft. i peel it, chop or cube it, then sautee it in onions, garlic, ginger, an optional bit of meat. add broth. bring to boil. add thin noodles. some people add moringa leaves. yummy healthy treat.
Definitely will
I an growing these for the first time ever I am 16 and I am hoping to make a business out of it... I live in South Africa
You got this
Do it
Good luck.👍🏼
That’s a really good idea
Good luck!
You’ve been a great source of happiness and peace for me, here in Melbourne Australia.
You have the sweetest disposition and your excitement for the garden is contagious!
Peace and love!
This means a lot!
It's so encouraging for beginning gardeners to see that even the experts get stumped sometimes! I'm so happy for you that you finally got your luffa! My neighbor gave me some luffa seeds last year, but I put them up for safekeeping, and you know what that means, lol.
They're so much fun to grow, when they actually grow. Nice work, bro.
Thanks brotha!
I actually thought these came from the sea, because I used to buy them from gift shops in Tarpon Springs sponge docks in Florida 😂
I live in Michigan I have no problems with transplanting , however the problem is they are still green when the first frost comes and i have to pick them all early. I have 6 on my counter right now that are 12- 14 inches long and beautiful but they are dark green. Same thing happened last year.
This is one of the plants i am getting ready to put up a new trellis for growing next year. Hoping for the best.
One of my favorite vegetables growing up in a Taiwanese household. So many ways to prepare it (really delicious with small shrimp or dried shrimp) or in a soup and it’s very nutritious! Let it grow old and you’ve got a sponge. Probably one of the most versatile plants!
The loofah grows very well in our South African climate and bears in abundance. We harvest them when they are still young, green and soft and cook them in a curry. It's delicious on its own but many like to add a little dried shrimps or fish to enhance the flavour. It can also be cooked with fava beans (double beans).The fruit that get too firm to cook are left to dry and we use the sponge in the bath.
You sound like me!!!! “I thought I planted a loofah but instead it was cucumber.” Omg I’m laughing hard because instead of a cucumber for me it’s birdhouse gourd! Hahaha
I think my kids did it but it’s been fun watching it grow.
You can eat them when they are very young. If you really, really like fiber - you can eat them when they are bigger.
Thanks maybe next year. I have to wait a year for the birdhouse to dry out completely 😳😅😂🤣
I ordered kale seeds from Sweden once, thinking I might be able to grow some on my balcony during the long and warm Croatian autumn, and make Swedish Christmas kale. Well, I did think the one plant that grew from those seeds looked a bit different, but it was also kind of fun to harvest a cantaloupe melon on the balcony in November 😆 I still don't know how I didn't see that the seeds couldn't possibly be kale.
The intensity of watching you pick, then peel a loofah, was an experience. Congrats!
This is so fun! Congrats! I grew my first luffas this year. I live in Redlands, which is about 2 hrs north of you and has a hot inland climate. I started 4 plants in March and transplanted them twice (once into bigger pots because my raised beds weren't finished yet, and then finally into my raised beds). Those things turned into monsters and took over my garden! I started harvesting in August and the vines are still covered with more gourds; I'm at the point where I'm cutting off the new baby luffas because I can't handle any more. I think I'm going to end up with about 75 luffas, many of which are over 2 ft long!
What a blessing!!
I use luffas for dishes. More environmentally friendly, never gets that sponge stench. When I lived with the Hmong tribe in Northern Vietnam, we grew them and ate them.
Wow!! I didn’t know luffa is made out of gourd plant.. Vietnamese use that plant to cook soups (the green not brown one)! It’s delicious with rice 🍚
We’re so glad our Victory Planter helped you finally grow an epic luffa sponge!! Thanks to your challenge, we grew luffa too, and loved it. It’s a beautiful vine!
Now do the price decrease challenge!
Wow.......these things are a weed in my city (Lagos, Nigeria). They grow everywhere so i have never thought of growing them. I think i would give it a try now. Love your channel.
Thats great for hobos...free luffas!
growing luffa was a school project back when I was 5th grade. I remember my mom was happy when I gifted it.
We need more things like this happening in schools 💚 Children need to be taught how to grow food. We are homeschooling and my children help in the garden.
Hey Epic Gardening! Your channel is so helpful. I'm 13 years old and decided to grow radishes and beet (People said they grew fast). I planted them. The beetroot germinated, but soon died. I planted the radishes and some of them died, and some of them are alive. I think I overwatered them (I gave them water everyday). I did it because i saw the soil was dry (People said keep their soil moist). Did I over water them or under water? If anyone could respond or even you Epic Gardening it would be helpful :D
I would say more likely you over watered
@@epicgardening Ok, do you have any recommendations on how often i should water them?
Thanks for responding btw :D
Also you could have some kind of pest like cutworm or something... Just a thought.
@@nikhilapte4782 It's a bit hard to recommend how much to water without knowing the climate/season that you were growing in. For example, my area gets a lot of rain and doesn't require watering at all in spring/fall, whereas Epic Gardener is in sunny Cali and would probably need to water more often. The best way to check for soil moisture is sticking a finger (or stick) in an inch or so and seeing if the soil is dark rather than just looking at the surface. Also instead of watering everyday maybe try deep-watering once/twice a week, that way it gets down to the roots instead of evaporating straight away from warm weather (there's a lot of videos explaining deep-watering that may be helpful).
Hope your beets turn out well! And try again next year, sometimes it takes multiple tries to get a harvest from certain crops, like Kevin and his Luffa xD
I've found that humidity domes are absolutely essential for germinating seeds since it keeps the soil at a good moisture level. If you don't have a dome and have a small enough pot you are planting in, take a ziplock bag big enough and put it over the pot. It's not as good at keeping the soil moist as a humidity some would be, but it's better than straight open air.
Dreams do come true haha. Such a romantic! Dude that was definitely satisfying. I feel the excitement and the luffa gods must be pleased. Definitely growing luffa next year. Keep on growing epic team
Plant Daddy !!! Congratulations on your newborn Luffa! 2 years is a long gestation but at least the delivery was quick and painless. How long before Baby Luffa #2 gets her cord cut? Look at all those seeds! Get them planted when the time is right and you'll be a Plant Grand-Daddy next year. Watching this is the most fun I've had in ages!
I'm thinking about 1mo!
When I was a kid we grow so much of these in our farm in the Philippines, now being in zone 7a here in the state I really appreciate tropical weather where you can grow anything with ease!
Mazel Tov!
The best thing about a home grown luffa is sewing on two cotton rope or tape handles and then scrubbing the middle of your back - especially the lattermost part.
I usually plant these every year, but with Michigan's weather, tons of rain these past 3 years, it's been a super challenge to get anything to grow fully let alone to ripen. Thankfull I have new polleninaters this year and it's fun again . A joy to be in the garden again.🥰
LOVE YOUR CHANNEL, KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK
I sure DO want to see an in-depth guide to luffa growing! Can't wait!
looks amazing! I was talking to a grower at the Santa Barbra farmers market who was selling luffas and she said she likes to peel them at this stage, and not completely dry and brown because the fibers aren't damaged by sticking to the peel as much and its easier to peel. I haven't grown one yet maybe next year, but I think you picked it at the perfect time. looking forward to the tips and tricks next year. encouraged that you are able to grow it in containers!
We grow Luffa primarily for food. Its young fruits, young leaves, flowers can be cooked in several ways. When we cannot consume all, we just let the fruit mature for seeds, and for fibre production. We use the fibre as a body sponge/scrub when taking a shower or bath, use it to wash and scrub utensils as well. My family in the Philippines have been doing this since 1960s to the present. All organic. No need to buy any kind of inorganic sponge material. Good for the environment.
Glad to see you back Kevin!Love the way that you explain to me about your plants!Keep it up!I love your content and one day you will be rewarded with the diamond play button!Almost there to a million subs!I'll be supporting you always! :)
I'm so excited for it!!!
I was so happy to see this video. A whole video on luffa. Thank you. I germinated three luffa; gave one to a neighbor, and planted two in large pots which I placed at the base of a wood arbor swing. I remember seeing your luffa climbing a tall trellis in your front yard garden in the spring and felt encouraged to give this plant a strong place to grow. I only got two total sponges to grow from both my plants, but my neighbor reports he got two from the one plant I gave him! Kevin, you encouraged me to keep going when I couldn’t get any female flowers to open, and I’m glad I waited. In anticipation of the fall NJ weather I had to bring in my luffas. Because they were in pots I was able to bring one of the entire plants in, so that sponge is still green and healthy. The second is starting to soften, but thanks to this video, I know now not to peel it until it looks like a banana. I will definitely be growing more next year, so I will follow along with your challenge in 2021. Cheers!
Thank you for this video! I just looked up I can probaly grow luffa in zone 6 but we shall see LOL...
I tried a luffa sponge to replace my kitchen sponges and end up loving it. TBH they last waaaay loooonger than my dish sponges because they don't stink up after a long time of uses!~ TBH they don't scrub as well but it does a good job for everyday dishes.
I love how "nervous" and excited you are! That's what it's all about! The miracle and discovery and love/enjoyment of gardening! :)
Wow, congrats on your first full-fledged loofah - it’s a beauty! And today I learned that loofahs come from plants and not from Target 😬. I never hear of people growing loofah here on the east coast where I am, so thanks for sharing and teaching me something!
“Let’s go asmr”
(N.E.V.E.R stops talking!!!!)
“I’ve gotta be quiet”
(STILLLLL yammering!!)
Lol.
Thanks for the video. I didn’t realize how finicky these were to grow. My grandmother used to grow them. She had 8 kids/kid-in-laws and 15 grandchildren and every year for Christmas we ALL got a new loofa and so did her friends in Sunday school and her neighbors, all in a climate that has harsh winters. I just assumed they grew like weeds.
My mother in law grows them in the back yard and has no issues growing them. She gets a huge haul growing them from the ground here in the Houston area. They get to be HUGE. You have to cut them down to 4 pieces. And yes, you shake them and hear the seeds rattling around. Let them dry out a lot more in the future.
I'm genuinely proud of you lmao I know how bummed you were last year about getting none, I'm so glad you succeeded this year!
You were as proud as a dad seeing his first child being born lol. I do understand the struggle. Good job Eric!!
I grew one in my bedroom back in the 70s when I was like 13. didn't have any problem at all. Now I think I'll try again!
Amazing! Humans are so resourceful! Love that people figured out you can create sponges from a plant.
For the (8) people that gave this video a thumbs down too bad they have so much negativity in their heart and soul. Great job Kevin not only was the video a great way to start our day because you made us smile, you also showed that patience is the key to gardening. 🤙🏼
Well said!
Omg it's perfect! It peeled so easily. It had so many seeds, too! Congratulations Papa, on your new baby luffa...haaaa.😀
Third time's a charm I guess, because this year has been the first bountiful one I've had growing these. I've been growing these on, oddly enough, a north facing wall that only gets direct sunlight until roughly 1PM. I have them growing in a Kratky hydroponic system, and the root system in the bucket is insane. The vines are reaching 15' at this point and show no sign of stopping. The flowers open around dusk and the bumblebees can't get enough of them! I have one luffa about 16" in length. These have been so fun to grow!
I had a great harvest last year but had to resow seeds 3 times this year with only a few luffas growing. These make such great sponges😀
lol you are a natural comedian...0) i had to stop at 3.42 cos laughing too much to hear what you were saying. I LOVE how transparent you are.....right! back to the video! xxxx
I started mine inside. We had a hot spring, so I set it out and then 2020 gave us the cold spell... And it sat and sat and sat - I thought it was done for... And then it took off again! I got 5 luffa (2 are 18", and 3 are 3 ft long!!!). Only the little ones turned color, the big ones stayed dark green. Due to cold temps coming on and having freezing nights a couple times, I brought the green ones in (today) and manually cleaned them out and have luffa. WOO HOO
I need to find seeds you guys have made me obsessed
😂😂😂
Nothing like waiting for years but your hard work and persistence paid off
You’re enthusiasm is beyond adorable!
In Nipomo, CA there is a small luffa farm where they give tours and sell the luffas they grow, very interesting. They are so much better than the kind you get in the store that have been processed with chemicals so they are stiff and get gross. AND luffas can be used to clean with, nice scrubber!
Thanks, I think I'll take a trip. Was looking for a place with good loofas.
I used to live in Grover Beach.... Seeing Nippmo, CA, on this comment made me cry.... Lol....
the Tags on all my vines washed away (thanks sharpie PERMANANT MARKERS) So I broke leaves and smelled/tasted them to help guess.
I thought the huge vine was a butternut squash... but it still hasn't flowered mid september. Then I remember I planted a loofa too... and they dont flower till days are shorter.
My 5'x5' greenhouse only has 2 sun loving plants in it, and it's completely full because I trained the vines on the shelves (and out the windows to climb more). Only have one Cantaloupe on the other vine getting pretty big so far but nothing yet on the loofas. I just bonemealed and added a new layer of soil, Fingers crossed they start flowering.
Note: It's been a very cool rainy summer here in Zone 6 new England... last year my loofas struggled and died early... I'm guessing they like 70's 80's and lots of Rain. We've only had two 4-5 day streaks over 90 and never hit 100 this year.
I might have accidentally broken the code to loofa growing... live in Seattle or London weather lol
These loofahs always remind me of my grandma she used to grow them in Mexico and we would always bring a bunch back home after visiting her.
You did it Kevin! And it's the most beautiful luffa I've ever seen! Thanks for encouraging us to grow this weird, wonderful vegetable. So fun!
7:59 OMG! Congratulations of your first successful luffa plant! 🥳 🎊 🎉
Next season I’m in for the luffa challenge mate! :)
💯💯💯
Same here if I find a house lol.
I knew the word "luffa" and knew it to mean a thing you used in the shower. But, I never knew they were grown. I have only ever known of the plastic variety.
CONGRATULATIONS Papa Loofah!!!
First time growing Luffa's this year up in Zone 4a Ontario Canada. Grew about 30 vines, started them indoors in March and transplanted in June. Crushing it, I have over 50 growing now. If I can grow these in a cold climate, anyone should be able to grow them
I need to grow a loofah now!! Something I've never considered until watching this.
Hands down, the best peel!!! Loved the asmr moment. Could totally fall asleep with luffa sounds
Congratulations! That’s always so satisfying when you finally crack something that was difficult!
I love how Kevin is so interested in plants. He even called it a beautiful creature😊 that warmed my heart. I love my plant babies, I'm sure his plant babies love him so much.
I have already been growing luffa for 2 years, but I had to watch this just for your excitement lol. So happy that you finally got your luffa, congrats!
that's so easy to grow here in the Philippines...we call it "patola"🌳😎😆(pronounced with short A like in Abort)...it's one of those "popular" vegetables here in the Philippines
This is my second year growing that. I've only dried them for a sponge. Last night, I cooked with 2 of them. Very delicious!
I LOVE your enthusiasm, I gave up on growing Luffa, but now i might try again! Thanks from Australia
I have had fantastic luck with loofahs this year ... my first year growing them. I have about 50 growing from four seedlings that took. Two matured and pealed so far. So satisfying. Ideally, everyone will be getting a loofah for Christmas. I hope to make soaps with them too. Then there's my pumpkins. I'll be lucky to get two!
It took me 3 summers to finally grow some!!! Today I peeled my very first luffa!! It peeled perfectly! Ive got more growing will be done soon!
I grew my first luffa this year!! Only got a few through the Florida swamp elements, but worth every day. Such a happy vine.
Congratulations!! And I'm HERE for the drama you're bringing lol
I saw that video of that eastern european guy with a luffa farm. He grew these massive ones and i believe fermented them in a large cauldron. I had always thought sponges were either artificial or had come from the ocean. Once I realised there was an eco friendly way to make sponges, I became much more open to the idea
Grew our first luffas in our MG demo garden this year here in San Jose. Transplanted them in late May along with an apple gourd and a birdhouse gourd. Plants have been prolific and we harvested our first 2 luffas last week. Peeling was super exciting, just like you in the video! Looking forward to many more ripening in the next few weeks.
When a gardener is this excited and happy about a particular plant you know you gotta grow it!!
It's funny to see the struggle to grow this plant, when back at my house in Brazil we have them growing like crazy, even tho no one ever planted them haha.
This is so cool! I’m so excited for your long awaited loofah. I want to grow these now.
This video was amazing! Your enthusiasm is contagious!! Excited to try this!
Congrats Kevin on your tenacity and success!!
I have to laugh, because, we all have had a challenging plant that simply won’t work for us and our anxiety is exactly the same. But to have the wrong seed put a years growing opportunity in the toilet is beyond the pale!!! After all, it’s more than enough to deal with weather and pests....but wrong seed? Just too insulting!😬
I look forward to your forthcoming video on luffa growing. Enjoy that sponge!!!!!👍🏻
Hi sir Luffas is my favourite sponges my family really enjoyed it to used for shower body washing with soaps everyday very useful plants I really enjoying watching different videos from everyone growing Luffas makes me very excited and so much fun to watch thank you so much for sharing 👍👍
I love growing luffas! Last year I had roughly 40 luffas and 2 of them yielded a sponge but it was educational. I live in north Georgia and we had a rare freeze in October that zapped the vine. I figure i was a couple of weeks away from a great harvest. I let them hang on the vine until December hoping they would continue to mature but once the vine is zapped they stop maturing. This year i was able to get them in the ground earlier and I’m hoping for a normal freeze.
I just wish these gardening channels would announce their grow zone in the description so we can know if we’re roughly starting from the same zone. Besides that thank you for sharing!!
Your journey and fascination with luffa is very much like my own journey with pawpaw fruit trees. Lol! That was a very satisfying peel. I loved seeing your enthusiasm. Congratulations on your success!
Likewise!
Congratulations! 🌱
I've used luffa sponge to bathe before, and it gives a nice massaging effect
Lovely video
I've grown luffa successfully for about 8 years now. They take a long time to germinate and they LOVE the heat! They have a long grow season. I'm on the gulf coast of Texas so they do pretty well for me. My only issue is that there is no market for them. I gift them to relatives and friends at Christmas and use them for tons of things around the house.
Your enthusiasm was infectious 😂 Couldn’t help but smile when you finally got what you wanted! Enjoy the loofah!
I grew them in Mexico. Planted them in the ground and they grew like crazy! So much fun! Need to find seeds
I ordered some seeds from somewhere online and a long time later I received a small envelope from China that said "Jewelry" on the label. It was about 20 seeds. I will be taking it to our county ag office to determine if they are really luffa seeds or some crazy imposter seed. Don't recall who I ordered them from.
Iv been loving watching my luffa grow. One transplant failed the 2nd was a success and a half! I have 2 luffa growing at the same time that are longer than my arm! When it starts putting effort in the newer luffas ill pop em and try to eat the younger ones
From India, I appreciate your work. We actually grow loofah plants here and we eat them. IT is One of our vegetables.
omg i failed last year to grow my loofah and it was difficult from the beginning... didn't want to do that again but i'll try once more after i heard your story. Thanks
I just purchased your book "Field Guide to Urban Gardening: How to Grow Plants, No Matter Where You Live..." So much content for 23 bucks! Beautiful Book...I purchased the spiral bound version. Thanks Kevin!!
So glad to hear!
My first year growing luffa was also a bust. 🥴 I live in Michigan and our growing season is short so I start my seeds inside to give it a head start. I can't wait for them to dry out on the vine. I do a lot of soaking and cutting the skin off. I harvest about 10-20 luffas a year. The most amazing plant ever.
I love learning and you just taught me that the things I've used my entire life is made from a plant and not man-made and manufactured in the way I have always thought. Subscribed! Keep the knowledge and stuff coming loved the video!
I can't wait until I get enough space to grow these it's actually one of my favorite vegetables.
I planted mine too late, in late July and there is only one Luffa, which I am still happy about. I will definitely start way earlier next year to have at least a dozen of Luffas! I use it as a dish sponge.
OMG this was the funniest video and I felt your excitement throughout. Love
This was so funny Kevin, congrats on your Luffa and the seeds too!
I see big things for you and Luffa next year :P
Love love love love your excitement about this!!! They also make amazing dish soap sponges!
I grew luffas for 2 years . I love growing them.
I forgot 3 planted 3 of these and when they sprouted I assumed they were cucumbers until the flowers bloomed. Now I have vines growing up the back of my house lol. I currently have 7 gourds and I’m so excited!
I totally understand your excitement, I also planted one summer 2020 and like you I also transplanted it, it took but was very sad looking, Had 1 flower and a fruit which....yup, you got it. It fell off. Because I live in zone 5a and need to start indoors and not knowing they did not like to be transplanted. I will not give up. Will try again this year but start it in the container that I will just move outdoors. Love your videos.
I think I'm now inspired to try growing loofa in 2021.
🤣 you are so funny！ great job! The peeling is absolutely appealing! Luff is extremely productive if you get them the right condition! One plant can give you 10-15 large fruits. You need to give it space to crawl and pinch off the main stem when it gets over 3-4feet. Actually Luffa start fruiting when the nights get shorter and the day/night temperature differences gets larger. That’s why you don’t see those female flowers in the beginning when it is still in the mid of summertime. BTW, young luffa fruits are super yummy! Chop that green one up and make a stir fry or soup out of it! You won’t regret!
Absolutely EPIC!!!!! I’m growing luffa for the first time now in 2023