RE: Loofah

trustinhart 7/22/2010, 6:36 pm

Has anyone ever grown loofah? and what do you think about using it in place of peat moss in MM? (Don't laugh!!) RE: Loofah Icon_redface

boffer 7/22/2010, 6:50 pm

I've tried several times, but I just don't have the growing season for them. I think I would have put them in the bath tub though, if they had grown. Very Happy

cansaskgard 7/22/2010, 7:05 pm

Attempting them... in my sun room and garden so we shall see what happens.

chocolatepop 7/22/2010, 8:46 pm

I started some inside to extend the growing season, but they were lost in the fire. I'd love some seeds if you have any left over after harvesting Wink

cansaskgard 7/22/2010, 8:50 pm

Two things...

If I get a harvest I would gladly send you some! Very Happy

Second... can I send them across the border though... Sad

I am sooooo hoping that they will work!

chocolatepop 7/22/2010, 8:54 pm

hummm... good point, we may have to do some covert seed sending RE: Loofah Icon_twisted

How is the plant growing in your sunroom? how big is it and when did you start it from seed?

cansaskgard 7/23/2010, 12:09 am

hehehe....

I started mine back in April inside and seeded outside in mid May, quite honestly they are the same height (just below 2 ft). I honestly am not sure if any are going to make it but I am going to give it my best and baby this thing until I can't. Razz

We just started getting some good growing weather here the last while and my plants are all starting to pick up.

Weird thing though... my inside plant leaves are much smaller than my outside ones, maybe not enough sun?

Here's to hoping! Very Happy

Chopper 7/23/2010, 2:19 am

I would not think loofa is a good substitute for peat moss. It may well add to the soil, but not in the same way , as far as being a moisture retainer. But...I may be wrong.

chocolatepop 7/23/2010, 2:31 am

would you chop it up? I'm confused I guess. It may be able to help with aeration, but like Chopper suggested, i dont think for moisture.

extremesoccermom 7/23/2010, 9:21 am

I agree even chopped up I don't think they would retain moisture like the peat moss does.
I did grow them a few years ago. They were some much fun and different. I washed the outer layer off then a scrubbing in the bleach water cut the ends off and gave them along with some homemade soap as gifts to everyone for the holidays. They all loved them. I would love to try them again.

ander217 7/23/2010, 10:16 am

I grew loofahs many years ago. They produced VERY well on lattice beneath our former second-storey deck. I dried them and removed the rinds and seeds, and then I washed, and washed, and washed them again to clean the goo from the fibers. I remember that seemed to be the hardest part.

(The seeds were given to me by a very old man who called them "dish rag gourds". He used them for washing dishes.)

They might hold moisture but I think it would take so many it wouldn't be worth it. They are not dense like peat moss, but more weblike and full of holes. If you started chopping them up it would take a lot of them to equal the same amount of peat.

trustinhart 7/26/2010, 10:09 pm

Thanks for all the kind responses. I'm going to give it a try. I'm trying to find something more sustainable than peat moss. I'll let ya'll know how it turns out!! RE: Loofah 109486

Chopper 7/26/2010, 10:30 pm

trustinhart wrote:Thanks for all the kind responses. I'm going to give it a try. I'm trying to find something more sustainable than peat moss. I'll let ya'll know how it turns out!!

If that is what you are looking for a lot of people substitute coir.

However I did find THIS. Do read it yourself, but essentially she says:

"I think the differences in where we (United States) get peat moss as
opposed to where the UK and other European countries get theirs. Here
in the US, I believe the bulk of the peat moss comes from Canada, eh, where peat moss harvesting is regulated and they strive to keep it sustainable."

boffer 7/26/2010, 10:36 pm

Chopper wrote:If that is what you are looking for a lot of people substitute coir. However I did find THIS.

+1 There were several good threads on the forum a few months ago, that a search might pull up.

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