| Author | Content |
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
July 23, 2010 3:35 PM Post #7991663
| Well we came from here:
Luffa Sponge Soaps...
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/874758/
-----
Last year at this time, my loofas, um make that loofa, as I only had one plant was no wheres near the growth I got going on on this years. Just maybe I am gonna get sponges off these pups! Well time will tell. Now they are a tad wilty from the heat. I have eight plants on this side of the trellis and 8 gonna met them on the peak on the otherside.
Its kinda hard to tell what on earth this is...but it is my smaller hooper that has become a glorified
trellis for maters, zukes, cukes and loofs! And hanging baskets. You cant see it all in this pix though...
So, whose in?
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
denimangle
Oakwood (Butler,TX), TX (Zone 8b)
July 24, 2010 5:56 AM Post #7992785
| Hi Bloosom , My luffas are going crazy but only the vines so far . I do see flowers in the late evening & morning but no luffas yet .. |
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
July 24, 2010 6:05 AM Post #7992808
| Hi Deni! I think yours are earlier than mine. Last year I had a late start and only got to enjoy flowers of the vines of them. This year I hope they will sponge.
We have been having hi humidity and heat and they seem to love it, although they will "wilt" a little from it. |
denimangle
Oakwood (Butler,TX), TX (Zone 8b)
July 24, 2010 10:21 AM Post #7993250
| mine do wilt in the heat of the day ..ill try and get a picture later ..
hope you get sponges this year too ..I know last year I didnt think I was going to get any till the last mini then had some freeze on the vine :( |
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
July 24, 2010 10:27 AM Post #7993258
| Well, here is hoping good things come for both of us! |
denimangle
Oakwood (Butler,TX), TX (Zone 8b)
August 4, 2010 1:14 PM Post #8018305
| heres the only one so far 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
denimangle
Oakwood (Butler,TX), TX (Zone 8b)
August 4, 2010 1:16 PM Post #8018312
| but maybe more will showup
its just sooo very hot right now & they look so sad in the afternoon
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
August 4, 2010 2:45 PM Post #8018569
| I just pruned mine a lillte.. I got 16 plants on a large trellis..
this pic was a couple weeks ago, not its humid and growing like mad!
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
denimangle
Oakwood (Butler,TX), TX (Zone 8b)
August 4, 2010 3:06 PM Post #8018606
| Ok Questions How ? Where? and Why? did you prun your loofa Should I Prune mine? |
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
August 4, 2010 4:30 PM Post #8018821
| My loofa was getting unruly and going where I dint want it to climb... just nipped a few leaves off and the stems that were out of bounds.
Prund my maters too. Man this humidity is making things grow crazy! |
denimangle
Oakwood (Butler,TX), TX (Zone 8b)
August 4, 2010 5:40 PM Post #8018970
| yeah I did the Maters this week too
just letting the gourds go crazy tho ...lol |
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
August 4, 2010 5:48 PM Post #8018987
| Been pruning the maters daily. Im not happy with them.. they are cracking on top.. dont know if thats part of the breed or the heat. so far only 2 mater worms
My zukes are three feet tall and getting realllly wide!
Incredible the humiduty and heat units the vegs are getting! My burpless cukes have been 18 inches long. Got them on a trellis and they have been reallly yumms!
Just checked the melon patch.. their comeing and the punkins... the plants are going great guns too.
I need to get some radish in |
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
August 4, 2010 6:03 PM Post #8019011
| The big leaved things in the foreground are my Zukes/ then the vines in the back are the loofas and a stray mater going on the same trellis... You can see how much the loofas had grown and this is after pruning them today... could tell that I did but from the clippings on the ground they were so thick!
You can see my shed in the back there.. the loofas make a canopy over my green peppers!
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
August 4, 2010 6:10 PM Post #8019024
| I just nipped the leaves at the stem and then took a few bites of the ends of a couple vines cutting those right at the leaf leaving a leave at the end. I dont know if this will hurt th eplants or not.. but they were so thick they could not get sun.
The maters.. same wat snip leaves at the stem leaving the "trunk" of the vine and then if you need to tp them, snip the tips leaving a leaf at the end. I do not prune any that had flowers or fruit setting.. .my vines are incredible this year..
Why?? ... because they were in my garden path and going places they were not wanted! downright a veggie jungle! |
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
August 9, 2010 2:32 PM Post #8029524
| another veiw of the arbor that they are on!... 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
August 13, 2010 9:55 AM Post #8037588
| ok, we have a loofa baby! 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
denimangle
Oakwood (Butler,TX), TX (Zone 8b)
August 13, 2010 10:16 AM Post #8037616
| Cool!!!
I think I still only have one about a foot long |
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
August 16, 2010 7:11 AM Post #8042853
| I have not looked lately to see if there are more..
Got this article in the mail today.. loofas...
http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/1963/
(Ya'll come back!) |
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
August 18, 2010 6:36 AM Post #8047113
| Loofa bloom and bee! 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
denimangle
Oakwood (Butler,TX), TX (Zone 8b)
August 22, 2010 11:35 AM Post #8055486
| As I was walking out to the Lufffa patch I saw some blooms up in the tree when I got under the vines I spotted this Can you see it 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
denimangle
Oakwood (Butler,TX), TX (Zone 8b)
August 22, 2010 11:44 AM Post #8055492
| now just how am I going to get it down ...lol 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
August 22, 2010 2:24 PM Post #8055727
| Um...gravity!
I got my first one growing on too... weird how these gourds "blow" up like a baloon, or is it just this one?
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
denimangle
Oakwood (Butler,TX), TX (Zone 8b)
August 22, 2010 2:41 PM Post #8055752
| Thats pretty strange looking... :) |
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
August 22, 2010 3:50 PM Post #8055843
| I thought so too, wonder what the sponge will clean? Bottles?! |
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
August 25, 2010 5:44 AM Post #8060899
| Here is another! Much better...
Its still pretty small... hoping it will gain some size yet.
Well if all I get is a couple of the gourds I will be happy. The vines were awesome to enjoy and made a realllly neat cover onthe trellis we had for them. Provided shhade for my green bell peppers and it was a fun plant this summer.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
denimangle
Oakwood (Butler,TX), TX (Zone 8b)
August 25, 2010 6:38 AM Post #8061024
| Last year I didn't think I was going to get but a couple I enden up with about a dos lost a few more to a freek freeze
Good luck |
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
August 25, 2010 7:30 AM Post #8061121
| I have 20 vines! Its crazy! Wonder when I should pick them? I know its early now, do I just leave them on the vines untill they frost? |
denimangle
Oakwood (Butler,TX), TX (Zone 8b)
August 25, 2010 1:03 PM Post #8061622
| Don't pick them yet they have a long way to go .. Before the first frost is good or after they start drying what ever comes first ..
if they dry on the vine they are really easy to clean... picked green cleaning is a mess |
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
August 25, 2010 7:39 PM Post #8062361
| Dumb question.. are they sposed to be soft? Mine are "spongee" like! I thought they woudl be harder than that!
And what would happen if they frost on the vine other than the leaves croaking, will the gourd be ok? |
denimangle
Oakwood (Butler,TX), TX (Zone 8b)
August 26, 2010 6:04 AM Post #8062948
| LOL Yes they are soft till they dry If you harvest them small they are Food :)
the bigger They get the tougher they get . If you were to pick green the skin is hard to get off and it is like SLIME inside A light frost might not do anything but if they havent started to dry & they freeze it will just turn to mush inside ... ( just ask me how I know ) ...LOL
This message was edited Sep 27, 2010 7:26 PM |
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
August 26, 2010 6:09 AM Post #8062956
| LOL! Well, Time will tell.
Ok, I will bite, how do you know! *G*! |
denimangle
Oakwood (Butler,TX), TX (Zone 8b)
August 26, 2010 6:18 AM Post #8062962
| We got hit wit a very early freeze last year When I brought in the luffa the bottom 1/2 had been frozen and were just soft & slime... |
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
August 26, 2010 7:17 AM Post #8063025
| EWWWWE! LOL! thanks for the "gory" details!
Slimey sponges...ick!
Our tree leaves are turning and things are drying down fall is coming early ima fraid! |
denimangle
Oakwood (Butler,TX), TX (Zone 8b)
August 26, 2010 10:26 AM Post #8063300
| yeah we had a cold front come our way ..it was 85 yesterday an all time record low for the day :) |
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
August 26, 2010 2:06 PM Post #8063674
| I once almost bought a house down in Brownsville...I know your weather... when its humid, nothin moves. Nothing worse than high humidity and a cold front coming on. Makes aurther scream!
I like Texas though.. just gimme a few acres for the ponies, a moat and bobwhar!
Dont mind so much the heat... but that moisture now that be what I call a slimey sponge! |
denimangle
Oakwood (Butler,TX), TX (Zone 8b)
August 26, 2010 3:52 PM Post #8063829
| LOL We are a LONG days ride from Brownsville about 2&1/2 hours from LA
we have had lots of humidity this but no rain .. we are about to blow away its so dusty |
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
August 26, 2010 6:41 PM Post #8064290
| Yeah, its a blowing sand pit here too. Need 6 inches of rain.. slow and steady would be nice, but all at once would be fine too! Guess all the tropicals are out in the atlantic and the dirty side is keeping the weather over there.
|
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
August 30, 2010 8:02 PM Post #8071788
| ok, sponge it up!!
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
denimangle
Oakwood (Butler,TX), TX (Zone 8b)
August 31, 2010 6:19 AM Post #8072284
| LOL Don't get on a rush they will grow like crazy till the end :) |
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
August 31, 2010 12:26 PM Post #8072917
| they are sooo cute though!! LOL!!! I cant wait to fondle them with suds!
And today I noticed a bunch more of them coming! WHoohoo!
I love this crazy plant!
This message was edited Aug 31, 2010 1:36 PM |
denimangle
Oakwood (Butler,TX), TX (Zone 8b)
August 31, 2010 1:39 PM Post #8073050
| ROTFLMAO!!!!!! |
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
August 31, 2010 2:22 PM Post #8073150
| AH, you have been there and know the pure joy!
Scrubbing bubbles! hehehe! And oh so feeling good! |
denimangle
Oakwood (Butler,TX), TX (Zone 8b)
August 31, 2010 5:16 PM Post #8073442
| Oh I Know Thats all I use anymore home grown scrubbies |
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
September 1, 2010 4:29 PM Post #8075248
| Well, put on a grass skirt and welcome to my loofa hut!
So... Dawn or Joy!
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
denimangle
Oakwood (Butler,TX), TX (Zone 8b)
September 1, 2010 4:38 PM Post #8075259
| Dawn or Joy!!!! OH MY No!!!!! ...I use my loofas in the Shower ...LOL |
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
September 1, 2010 5:01 PM Post #8075297
| LOL!! Well, careful what you wish for, you just might get some rain and I gotta tell ya, the LOOFA HUT is not all that waterproof! |
denimangle
Oakwood (Butler,TX), TX (Zone 8b)
September 1, 2010 6:49 PM Post #8075464
| love the loofa hut |
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
September 2, 2010 8:16 AM Post #8076336
| I think next year or sometime in the future I am gonna go over the top with it and do the bigger hoops or maybe do my hoop igloo...Gonna have to string some wires for it to crawl on though... |
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
September 10, 2010 6:27 AM Post #8090572
| dangles! 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
September 10, 2010 6:31 AM Post #8090582
| BIG DANGLE! 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
denimangle
Oakwood (Butler,TX), TX (Zone 8b)
September 10, 2010 6:40 AM Post #8090593
| SWEET!!! are you going to make loofa soap?
we have had 3 days of rain that we needed SSOOOO bad I can see all my vines growing
lots of blossoms but I fear its way to late . I have 2 fair size way up in the tree:) |
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
September 10, 2010 6:47 AM Post #8090610
| Well, first I have to see how well I do at getting these dry. Ihave seed promised out so hope the seed dry good too... I have some realy nice size sponges hanging on my vines and some smaller ones. There are about a half a dozen beauties like that one, maybe more.. I guess time will tel and tons of blossoms. I think I will start them even earlier next year! It was such a fun plant and man they would look awesome haning on the bigger hoops on my 25x25 hoophouse!
I planted them in #1500 nursery cans which I proceded to sink into the ground. The nursery cans had 2/3 horse manure in the bottome then topped it off with just some regular potting soil. I did not mix the two, just layered the soils and it worked great because the lip of the can held some extra water when it was dry and when I had to water them!
If I make soap, I wil lhave to get a recipe of sorts.. I like glycerin soaps..
What a fun plant! |
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
September 10, 2010 7:02 AM Post #8090637
| if you go to MAROGOLDS for 2010 here...
you can see my hoophouse and teh loofa on the smaller trellis in it..!
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1118075/#new
Im itchin to see that hooper covered with the loofs! |
denimangle
Oakwood (Butler,TX), TX (Zone 8b)
September 10, 2010 7:49 AM Post #8090740
| LOL This link is for this thread ... just flips you right back here |
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
September 10, 2010 11:42 AM Post #8091141
| oops! Will try again.. I guess my flipper flopped! |
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
September 10, 2010 11:44 AM Post #8091143
| http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1050220/
...did it work? |
denimangle
Oakwood (Butler,TX), TX (Zone 8b)
September 10, 2010 2:13 PM Post #8091418
| Yep it worked .. but im not a paying member and some thread I can't get into.. |
denimangle
Oakwood (Butler,TX), TX (Zone 8b)
September 26, 2010 6:34 PM Post #8122820
| Well we got a little rain anf things started taking off I counted 12 baby luffas we will see how they do in the next 6 to 8 weeks of warm weather we have left.
have you harvested your yet? |
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
September 26, 2010 6:58 PM Post #8122873
| I started bringing other annuals plants towards the house from the redneck viranda to bring indoors. Its pretty chilly tonite, hoping it does not frost. I think I best bring them in soon.
As for the loofa, holy cows! I got a lot of dangles! I am going to take one down of to see what it looks like inside and see if I should not harvest... I just dont know how they should be when they are aready... any secrets?
I have abboiut 6 watermelons out in the patch yet too!
I did start cleaning vines and picked all my peppers. Im not gonna bring in my peppers this year. just not enough room and its unlikely they will make it indoors at spring to bring back out. |
denimangle
Oakwood (Butler,TX), TX (Zone 8b)
September 26, 2010 7:30 PM Post #8122921
| if you think its going to freeze cut them down ang bring them in .you don't have to wait for them to dry on the vine. You can strip the skin off and let them dry then shake the seeds out. |
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
September 27, 2010 5:48 PM Post #8124813
| Well if it freezes, what will happen to the sponge? |
denimangle
Oakwood (Butler,TX), TX (Zone 8b)
September 27, 2010 6:28 PM Post #8124884
| denimangle wrote:LOL Yes they are soft till they dry If you harvest them small they are Food :)
the bigger They get the tougher they get . If you were to pick green the skin is hard to get off and it is like SLIME inside A light frost might not do anything but if they havent started to dry & they freeze it will just turn to mush inside ... ( just ask me how I know ) ...LOL
This message was edited Sep 27, 2010 7:26 PM
|
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
September 28, 2010 5:51 AM Post #8125502
| I just had to hear it again... yamo Im old. |
denimangle
Oakwood (Butler,TX), TX (Zone 8b)
September 28, 2010 6:46 AM Post #8125594
| LOL I thought I had posted that but had to find it to make sure ... we have had a cold front hit . 48* here this morning .. Not good for growing but it should warm back up I found some more babies yesterday holding breath . We should have good weather till Dec our winter here is really Jan & Feb |
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
September 28, 2010 1:10 PM Post #8126156
| Well I did the ultimate sacrafice.. I took my BIGGEST loofgordo and cut it down than sliced it from stem to stern literaly to peer inside.. the developments are still too young. The gourd was pulpy...check it out...
I have at the most maybe 15 days of no frost... if we get a frost thenHopefully we have an Indian summer, but the problem is, the frost will kill the plants so...I am watching the weather and going to be getting up before dawns light... if we get a frost, I am arming myself with the garden hose to hopefully save the vines pathetic life a tad longer.. no telling when yet I am plucking the gourds off...
Hmmm if I pluck them and just set them in the garage, would that be the thing to do, let them then dry out indoors?
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
denimangle
Oakwood (Butler,TX), TX (Zone 8b)
September 28, 2010 1:40 PM Post #8126190
| OH WOW that is really young hope they start growing fast |
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
September 28, 2010 6:16 PM Post #8126761
| YEAH, BUT THE THING WAS ALMOST 2 FEET LONG!!!! |
denimangle
Oakwood (Butler,TX), TX (Zone 8b)
September 29, 2010 5:32 AM Post #8127245
| that is big wonder why its not more developed inside
I havd had then only about 6" and great for scrubbers |
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
September 29, 2010 12:02 PM Post #8127971
| most of them are pretty huge here! Fingers crossed we get some sponges.. hoping they are not all that underdeveloped! I am just amazed they got as big as they did. Guess I will have to start them even earlier next time. Jeez they are a long season plant! |
denimangle
Oakwood (Butler,TX), TX (Zone 8b)
September 29, 2010 2:37 PM Post #8128193
| if you think your going to get a freeze cut the vine and hang them somewhere to dry |
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
September 29, 2010 6:53 PM Post #8128712
| ok...boy I am keeping fingers crossed I can get through this phase! |
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
September 30, 2010 7:04 AM Post #8129315
| Heres another veiw of the loofa hut! It has some maters on the east side competing for space, but they are getting a long pretty good. I was just out their couning gourds.. holy cows, I lost count!
I also left that one I sacrificed to dry in the sun.. maybe I can still get seed.. time will tell.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
September 30, 2010 8:58 AM Post #8129522
| the dangles! They got big, I keep banging my head (OW!) on them every time I go through that gate...! 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
September 30, 2010 9:50 AM Post #8129649
| And more... 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
September 30, 2010 9:57 AM Post #8129663
| Got them here and got them there, got loofas growing every where!
Theyre on the trellis, on the vine, theyre on the roof! Growing oh so sublime...
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
September 30, 2010 10:00 AM Post #8129668
| under the trellis too... the belly of the loofa hut! LOL! 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
denimangle
Oakwood (Butler,TX), TX (Zone 8b)
September 30, 2010 4:23 PM Post #8130422
| WOW You do have a Fine crop of Luffa I sure hope the weather holds fore you . you might as well trash the one you cut open the good seeds will be black & they will not mautre now but you will get way more then you need from 1 or 2
The 2 luffa in front in the "and more" picture look like they are starting to dry at the bottom end thats a good thing |
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
September 30, 2010 6:54 PM Post #8130698
| Ok.. its kind of weeird to watch the thing dry out opened up like it is!
I hope I can get something out of these.. so far the wearther has been great.. but I know the shoe is gonna drop soon enough. |
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
October 3, 2010 2:00 PM Post #8135105
| Well, last nite it felt like we were for sure gonna have frost, so I was out under lights pulling tomatoes, watermelons and Ipulled a few of the loofa that were hard.
Got up this morning, no frost, so we are haning in there, but still its a race against the clock to see if I will get a anymore and any that are any good no less. |
denimangle
Oakwood (Butler,TX), TX (Zone 8b)
October 3, 2010 5:41 PM Post #8135473
| oh no .. thats not a good thing . but if you cut them down & hand them they will dry .cut the vine long |
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
October 3, 2010 9:29 PM Post #8135999
| I think I might cut the whole thing tomorrow.. get thebiggest ones on the longest fines and hope for the best. My other gamble is on the frowst and hose the plants before the crack of dawn to hope to save them, but I dont know if it will worl on the gourds.
I "blanketed" my maters tonite agian.. as I dint get done. |
denimangle
Oakwood (Butler,TX), TX (Zone 8b)
October 4, 2010 5:50 AM Post #8136279
| just hang them to dry i think they will be fine
52 here this morning but we shouldn't get a frost for 2 more mons.
I still trying to get use to even that in Houston most years it was Jan before it got a frost if even then .. I keep telling DH he has moved me to far north ...lol |
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
October 4, 2010 7:22 AM Post #8136406
| I had a light frost last nite but the loofa did not get hit for some reason, go figure so I will be pulling the dangles off of it , leaving long stems and hauling them to the garage to dry. I no way want them smelly things in the house! UGH! So.. drying them, I wonder how long that will take.
My hose froze up... go figure.
I had blanketed my cherry maters and they saved.
The end is near! Soon the sky will be falling.. UGH! I HATE WINTER!!!! Been getting some fall color already and have three new mums to plant. Winter will give me a break from the grind of summer and maybe will get some neat things done. Im just not wanting to get into the cold yet. |
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
October 4, 2010 8:40 AM Post #8136545
| OK, snipped a few more, but I am gonna gamble on another day before I take more off. Maybe I will get lucky. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
denimangle
Oakwood (Butler,TX), TX (Zone 8b)
October 4, 2010 8:47 AM Post #8136554
| they look like that are already drying that look a little yellow |
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
October 17, 2010 9:37 PM Post #8161590
| Well, this might be my last night.. 37 degrees predicted.. no way to cover and I did not get them all cut down.. |
denimangle
Oakwood (Butler,TX), TX (Zone 8b)
October 24, 2010 5:33 PM Post #8173910
| well your loofas should be dry by now how did it go?
mine are still on the vine growing we had a nice rain yesterday so everything will take off again its been in the low 80 great for growing I have lotes of small fingers hanging now. |
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
October 24, 2010 6:00 PM Post #8173954
| Nope.. not dry.. I did cut some down and still ahve more to get off the trellis... they are green, but got frosted |
denimangle
Oakwood (Butler,TX), TX (Zone 8b)
October 24, 2010 7:19 PM Post #8174080
| BUMMER ... maybe you can save a few |
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
October 25, 2010 7:37 AM Post #8174789
| Got them by the wheelbarrow.. Im gonna put these in the GPS.. maybe the heat of the day will help them dry out faster now? Worth a try.. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
denimangle
Oakwood (Butler,TX), TX (Zone 8b)
October 25, 2010 7:39 AM Post #8174799
| oh good they didnt freeze .. can you hang them or you can peel green and dry that way... |
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
October 25, 2010 7:59 AM Post #8174856
| Some that I have cracked are slimmy! ICK! I think if they dry good in the GPS then I can peel them better. Had one that cured. it was a puny lil one... Im hoping the biguns will cure...
Though serious about exploding one in the microwave.. NOT! LOL! |
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
October 25, 2010 9:41 AM Post #8175035
| OK, here is about half of what grew. I need to get the others out of the garage...I really think they will dry better in here because it heats up when the sun is out. It will get cold at nite though if the nites are cold. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
denimangle
Oakwood (Butler,TX), TX (Zone 8b)
October 25, 2010 3:10 PM Post #8175737
| WOW you had a nice crop .. if it were me I would peel them green it is a bit slimy but they wont rot like that one in the picture if they gog bit by the frost you will know as soon as you cut them open. even off the vine they will turn to slim if its to cold |
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
October 25, 2010 5:02 PM Post #8176016
| Wonder if I just take a razor and slit them up and down then let them dry... ? |
denimangle
Oakwood (Butler,TX), TX (Zone 8b)
October 25, 2010 5:34 PM Post #8176075
| I would peal and hose off or wash to get the slim out so it doesnt rot.
some of the seeds will come out but others will hold on till dry |
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
October 25, 2010 5:55 PM Post #8176109
| Have you tried that before? Sounds ga-ross! LOL! |
denimangle
Oakwood (Butler,TX), TX (Zone 8b)
October 25, 2010 5:57 PM Post #8176114
| sure did last year when the early frost hit ... it did save some of them |
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
October 25, 2010 7:15 PM Post #8176267
| Okie dokey.. will try some...
How about microw waving? Or a low temp oven? |
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
October 25, 2010 7:19 PM Post #8176275
| After the freeze... 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
October 25, 2010 7:25 PM Post #8176289
| The other side... 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
denimangle
Oakwood (Butler,TX), TX (Zone 8b)
October 25, 2010 7:40 PM Post #8176316
| OH MY thats not good . Cut a few open and see if they are good .. as big as they are if the frost didnt get then you should have whiteish fiber and a bit of light green slime
i wouldnt use the microwave |
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
October 26, 2010 4:09 AM Post #8176645
| I wont either use the micro wave... just was wondering if anyone was brave/foolish enoiugh to try! |
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
October 27, 2010 6:24 AM Post #8178982
| I took some of the loofas in the GPS and slit them with a knife. Hoping that will help them dry faster, need to check on those...
Had one that was drying so peeled it green. It was lighter weight than some of the others same size. Boy you can tell the "soggy" ones, they are real heavy yet.
Suns out so it should heat up in there and dry down some more. This may take some time.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
denimangle
Oakwood (Butler,TX), TX (Zone 8b)
October 27, 2010 6:31 AM Post #8178992
| WOW!!! Thats one big loofa Looks good too.
does it have a lot of black seeds? some people put then in bleach water after they are dry But I leave them their natural color (no chemicals)
Are you going to make soap? |
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
October 27, 2010 6:35 AM Post #8179004
| gonna let them dry natural first. then see how many I have and decide later what to do with them. My original intent was to give them to a charity, but will have to wait and see on numbers. Maybe trade them for some soaps? Dont know! |
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
October 27, 2010 7:27 AM Post #8179123
| Heres the inside of that gourd above.. yeppers, looks like lotso black seeds inthar! WHOOHOO! 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
denimangle
Oakwood (Butler,TX), TX (Zone 8b)
October 27, 2010 7:29 AM Post #8179127
| When its dry put it in a bag and shake it ..
seeds for next year ... |
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
October 27, 2010 7:53 AM Post #8179152
| Will do!
The ones I slit yesterday shrunk up and resealed on the slits... |
denimangle
Oakwood (Butler,TX), TX (Zone 8b)
October 27, 2010 9:30 AM Post #8179345
| hmm that is strange |
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
October 27, 2010 3:05 PM Post #8180006
| Well, not really, they just are drying and the slits kinda closed as the gourd *shrank* (hmmm is that a werd!?!!) |
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
November 3, 2010 6:40 PM Post #8193305
| A die hard... I left it up there to see how and what would happen after the real killer frost.. um we had ice on the buckets tow days ago, I think I can climb up there and yank that one down.. It looks dry! 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
denimangle
Oakwood (Butler,TX), TX (Zone 8b)
November 3, 2010 6:58 PM Post #8193348
| Wow it looks good for being frozen.. Have you opened any of the others ..
I had to get a ladder to get a few out of the tree. one was really dry and just fell apart when I opened it .. let the seeds fall along the fence line .. have the other 2 drying on the porch still have the rest on the vine growing |
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
November 3, 2010 7:05 PM Post #8193362
| LOL! Well, I dont think the seed will germ if I just drop them here in my zone.
I have a few more that are drying and need peeling... they are on my to-do list.
Took my first bath with a homegrown... Oh that was nas! Derned gourd though had so many seeds that did not shake out, but came in my tub as I scrubbed I got a loofa husk and seed ring! LOL! |
denimangle
Oakwood (Butler,TX), TX (Zone 8b)
November 4, 2010 4:45 AM Post #8193709
| hahahaha!!! The ones I use in the shower I cut open to get all the seeds out.
I slice the ones for making soap so I get all the seeds out that way too .
But im going to try a different way to make the soap useing the PVC pipe then slice |
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
November 4, 2010 5:51 AM Post #8193790
| Hmmm, do tell and show! |
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
November 4, 2010 7:14 AM Post #8193936
| Oh, forgot.. here are some seeds! 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
November 4, 2010 7:21 AM Post #8193952
| SPONGE!!! hehehehe! 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
denimangle
Oakwood (Butler,TX), TX (Zone 8b)
November 5, 2010 5:35 PM Post #8196687
| nice batch of seeds
heres the pvs soap maker
http://candleandsoap.about.com/od/soaprecipes/ss/loofahsoap...
|
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
November 5, 2010 6:03 PM Post #8196737
| LOL! Thats just from that one gourd! I have a big pile of them in the GPS.. they are not quite peelable yet... |
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
November 10, 2010 5:12 AM Post #8204201
| Still "shucking" or is that husking them gourds.. what a mess! |
denimangle
Oakwood (Butler,TX), TX (Zone 8b)
November 10, 2010 4:45 PM Post #8205454
| mine are still on the vine .. it was 80 here today .. will grow a little while longer |
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
November 11, 2010 6:06 AM Post #8206137
| Had I known the "indian Summer" was gonna be this nice and long, I would have left them, but they are drying in the GPS...only trouble is is some are not as pretty as others getting that brown stain thing happening. UGH and I tried bleach and its not working. |
denimangle
Oakwood (Butler,TX), TX (Zone 8b)
November 11, 2010 6:52 AM Post #8206228
| I dont bleach mine .. natural look is the way I go ... |
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
November 11, 2010 8:28 AM Post #8206367
| I like the natural color best too, but them brown stains was what I was hoping that would go away.. not! UGH! |
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
November 20, 2010 7:55 PM Post #8222594
| see here? ...some are icky...
I will have lotso seed though!
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
BriannaRose573
Jefferson City, MO
December 15, 2010 10:54 AM Post #8261715
| Hello, my name is Brianna; I live in Missouri. I was reading this thread while trying to find information on soap making.
Can loofa plants be grown in Missouri? If so, I'd like to try growing one next spring/summer.
|
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
December 16, 2010 8:15 AM Post #8263341
| If I can grow them here, you can grow them there.. you may want to start them indoors early though because they are a long season growing plant. Im thinking of starting mine in February.
Im still peeling my crop...cleaning them up... but I think if they were just a little earlier I would have been better off.
They are in my GPS...they have froze, some molded but some are ok. |
denimangle
Oakwood (Butler,TX), TX (Zone 8b)
December 17, 2010 1:02 PM Post #8265235
| Hi Brianna you sure can .. my crop didn't do as well this as it was way to hot and dry ..
Starting them is side is ok but they don't like their roots bothered so plant in something that can go right in the ground or a pot that can be moved outside.
BLOSSOMBUDDY
didn't the luffa that froze turn to mush ???
mine do |
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
December 18, 2010 7:45 AM Post #8266321
| Yes, they mushed, but they were far enough along that I am getting sponges.. not very pretty in color though as some are brown.
and yes, startign themin peat pots.. good size about the size of a sourcream countainer...
Still washing and cleaning mine.
Gotta run |
BriannaRose573
Jefferson City, MO
December 18, 2010 9:57 AM Post #8266456
| Thanks for the info, everyone. Does anyone know a good place to buy seeds? |
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
December 18, 2010 11:42 AM Post #8266572
| LOL! What kind of seeds?
snicker! |
denimangle
Oakwood (Butler,TX), TX (Zone 8b)
December 19, 2010 7:28 AM Post #8267594
| Brianna D-mail me |
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
February 13, 2011 6:34 AM Post #8369503
| I have extra loofa seeds for postage.. anyone want in.. d-mail me.
In the mean time hows about we all move to LOOFAS FOR 2011!
I will be back in a jiffy pot with a new link
|
denimangle
Oakwood (Butler,TX), TX (Zone 8b)
February 13, 2011 4:39 PM Post #8370416
| sounds good to me ... I have lots of seed too |
BLOSSOMBUDDY
(Zone 5a)
February 13, 2011 6:13 PM Post #8370562
| LOOFAS 2011!
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1158554/
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
