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I was wondering if it needs to be in the greenhouse or if a sunny spot will do? I'd love to have a go at it but I think my greenhouse is full.
THanks
V
THanks
V
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I haven't personally, but a friend at work grew them with her students and it was a great sucess. She kept the plant in the sunny corner in her classroom. i am sure a grape with first hand experience will know more - I rember it being an exciting project, we all were called in to see them as they developed. Would try it with my group but my classroom is in the shade, so not sure it would work as well.Denise xox
Learn from the mistakes of others because you'll never live long enough to make them all yourself.
-- Alfred E. Neumann
http://denise-growingmyown.blogspot.com// -
Silvermam
I'm having a go this year, got three healthy little plants at the mo, the instructions said greenhouse, but if we have another summer like last year, might be worth giving it a go in a sheltered spot?
best wishes
SueComment
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Where did you get your seeds? I think I'll have a go in a sheltered spot really want to try this but I just don't have enough greenhouse space!
Thanks
VComment
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Hi Silvermam
Found the details, Luffa Cylindrica to give it its botanical name, I found these in a garden centre in Cumbria when on holiday last year.
They came from The Exotic Seed Collection PO Box 117 Stowmarket, IP14 2QY
Although last years seed, the ones I planted germinated fine, and have some seed left if you want to send me your details I'll post some on to you.
I've also found the instructions, sowing time from now until May and can be put outside in a sheltered position after all risk of frost is past.
best wishes
SueComment
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There's a small article about growing loofas in one of this week's French gardening mags. If your French is up to it can scan and send you a copy.TonyF, Dordogne 24220Comment
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TonyF
My French is def not up to it, can you give us the gist?
best wishes
SueComment
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Mine would love to read it I'll send you my email
Thanks!
VComment
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OK, here's the gist of it - decorative member of the Cucurbitacees family, Luffa cylindrica is a true curiosity. Grown for pleasure, it will grow well in the Midi area of France and better in other Mediterranian/continental climate areas like areas and will give long fruits at the end of the summer and in autumn.
Sow in pockets of three graines (seeds) in a pot, in the heat/warm, or in place (where it will grow) provide a solid support, ideally in a tunnel (a rose tunnel rather than a polytunnel) to permit the plant to grow and to have enough space for the fruit to hang.
That's about it folks, plus a natty pic. Hope it's of some help - as it's decorative and can be dried out to make a loofah suppose there's some benefit to growing them.Last edited by TonyF; 16-03-2007, 06:32 PM.TonyF, Dordogne 24220Comment
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Tony F
Thanks for that, now all I need to do is, if I manage to grow one to size, is how to do the drying out bit.
best wishes
SueComment
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Sorry folks, should have added it's in the jobs to do this week, lunar or terrestrial bit, in the Midi of France, doesn't say anything about under cover for the seeds but I would as your a few hundred miles north.TonyF, Dordogne 24220Comment
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Loofa.
They will take over a greengouse, unless you have large one. Greenhouse that it.
They are basically a vine, they need to have the flowers pollinated, if its outdoor the bees will do it.
Try it in a large container up a wigwam, or similar in a sunny sheltered spot. Plenty of water and some feed. Then hope for a summer like last years.
Blogging at..... www.thecynicalgardener.wordpress.comComment
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I have a childs swing turned into giant cloche ds didn't like it at all so i had to do something with it. its in a very sunny spot I hope the loofah will do well in that I will let you know!Comment
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I have been trying to germinate loofah seeds on damp kitchen paper for 4 weeks - should I give up now? If the seed is rubbish, does anyone have a seed or 2 I can scrounge please?Happy Gardening,
Shirley
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I sowed two in pots in a heated propogator, only one has germinated, and it's taken three weeks - I did look it up and a good American site I found said it could easily be up to 3 weeks. It might be worth being patient for a little while more, but otherwise now is probably a good time to try another batch of your seeds somewhere warm - I'm going to give it a bash anyway.Originally posted by shirlthegirl43 View Post
I'll worry about where I'm going to find the space for it once they're growing
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