Saflax Luffa Sponge Gourd

When dried, this gourd can be processed into sponges that are useful both around the home and for personal care. If harvested young, the fruits are also edible.

Our tips:

• To improve germination, roughen the seeds before sowing and let them soak in room-temperature water for 24 hours
• Moisten the potting substrate daily with a spray bottle after sowing
• Cover the cultivation container with cling film to protect the substrate from drying out; remove the film every two days for two hours to prevent mould growth
• Place the cultivation container in a bright spot with a temperature of around 20 to 25°C
• After germination, remove the cover and place in a slightly cooler location
• From mid-May, transplant to a sunny location in a garden bed or pot; a greenhouse is ideal, or outdoors in a sheltered spot near a heat-radiating wall
• Requires a sturdy trellis and loose, humus-rich soil
• Water regularly and consistently
• Avoid waterlogging and ideally always let the substrate surface dry out slightly
• Apply liquid fertiliser every four to six weeks
• Harvest when the fruits turn yellow and the skin already breaks under light pressure; fruits harvested unripe are also suitable for consumption