Emerald Smooth Luffa Gourd

Emerald Luffa Gourd is a hybrid variety of smooth-skinned luffa, producing 20-inch-long by 2-inch-width bright green jewels of fruit. This luffa gourd is a reliable producer and has the incredible ability to dry into a sponge! Grow on arches or fences for impressive twining, lush foliage, and yellow blossoms. In many parts of tropical Asia where luffa is grown year-round, it is an important crop for nutrition. Similar to cucumber or zucchini, luffa's succulent, sweet, tender taste and flavor-absorbing properties lends itself well to stir-fries, soups, stews, and salads. When left to completely dry, luffa's rind peels away like paper, leaving a dry and fibrous skeleton that can be used for crafting into luxurious natural sponges for exfoliating skin or for household cleaning.

Also Known As: Luffa Gourd, Egyptian Cucumber, Vietnamese Luffa, Loofah Bitter Squash, Loofa Melon, Lufa, Chinese Okra, Chinese Cucumber, Chinese Zucchini, Silk Gourd, Se Qua, Sikwa, Sponge Gourd, Dishcloth Gourd, Vegetable Sponge, Cylinder Luffa, Hechima, Vegetable Sponge, Patola, Ridged Gourd, Luffs, Estropajo.

Plant Name:	Luffa Gourd, Emerald F1 (Smooth)
Latin Name:	Luffa aegyptiaca, Luffa cylindrica
Days to Germinate:	7-14
Days to Harvest:	85-120
Plant Height:	10 - 20 Feet
Spread:	2 Feet
Growth Habit:	Vining
USDA Zones:	6-13
Lifespan:	Annual, Perennial 9-13
Brand:	TomorrowSeeds
Sunlight:	Full Sun, Partial Shade
Pollination:	Hybrid
GMO:	No
Fungicide-Treated Seeds*:	No
Seeds Packed For**:	2025

*Fungicide-treated seeds protect the seedlings from diseases until they are up and growing. Do not eat treated seeds.
**Seeds are freshly packed for the growing season of the year listed. Seeds are still viable beyond pack date. Store in a cool and dry location such as the refrigerator or basement to best preserve germination rates.

Planting Instructions:

Soil Preparation:

Choose an area with heavy, well-draining soil that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. Remove weeds, large rocks, and litter from the planting area. Leave small weeds and dead grass, they will enrich the soil when turned under. Spade or till the soil 8-12 inches deep. Loosening the soil will help the plant establish strong roots.

Plants grow best in soil with lots of organic matter. You may optionally add fertilizer or organic material such as compost, leaves, or rotted hay to mix into the soil at this point. For small gardens, scatter 2-3 tablespoons of fertilizer evenly and work into the top 2-3 inches of soil for each hill or 2 foot by 2 foot planting area. For larger gardens, scatter 2-3 pounds of a complete fertilizer for each 100 square feet of planting area. Work fertilizer or organic material into the soil and leave the surface smooth.

Form rows of soil beds 4-6 inches high and at least 4 feet apart. This formation of ridges will help with drainage. Prepare a vertical trellis sized 6 feet or larger for the planting area.

Planting:

Planting: Luffa Gourd thrives in hot climates, but can be started early indoors in cool climates to yield mature gourds. Prepare seeds by soaking for 24 hours in warm water before sowing.

Starting Indoors: For an earlier harvest, you may optionally start planting indoors in containers 3-4 weeks before the last expected frost date in Spring, keeping seedlings at least 70F. Harden off then transplant seedlings outdoors in a sunny location when the soil temperature is above 70F. To transplant seedlings, prepare a transplant hole outdoors in a sunny location. Remove the plants carefully from the pots or flats and set them in the holes, burying some of the stem in the ground. Pack the soil loosely around the plant and leave a slightly sunken area around each plant to hold water. Water the plants after transplanting.Train plants to climb a 6-8 foot trellis or fence as they establish. Trellising is strongly recommended to reduce risk of rot from luffa resting on the ground.

Directly Sowing: If directly sowing luffa outdoors, plant in mid-late spring when the soil warms to at least 70F. If Fall planting, sow in early summer, at least 13-15 weeks before the first expected frost date - or if growing indoors, keep at >70F using supplemental grow lights.

To plant, make holes 1 inch deep and spaced 2 feet apart down the rows of raised beds. Plant 2-3 seeds per hole. If choosing to thin to the strongest plant, determine the strongest and healthiest plant, then remove all other plants, narrowing to a single plant per hole. Cover seeds thinly with soil and water after planting. Train plants to climb a 6-8 foot trellis or fence as they establish, spacing plants 18 inches apart at the base of the trellis.

Planting Depth:	1 inch
Within-Row Spacing:	18 inches (trellis)
Between-Row Spacing:	5 feet

Care During the Season:

Watering: Water the plants deeply, soaking the soil to a depth of 6-8 inches, once a week. If there is no rainfall, water 2-3 times a week. Sandy soils may need to be watered more often than heavy clay soils. Mulching around plants can help retain moisture.

Weeding: Keeping plants weed-free improves production. If plowing or hoeing, do not dig deeper than 1 inch to prevent from cutting the feeder roots.

Fertilizing: Once plants start to bloom and set fruit, you may optionally apply a fertilizer that is higher in potassium and phosphorus and lower in nitrogen. Read and follow fertilizer instructions for best application. Water plants after fertilizing.

Insecticides: Insecticides may be used to protect plants. Bt-based insecticides and sulfur are organic options that can be used for prevention. Sulfur also has fungicidal properties and helps in controlling many diseases. Before using a pesticide, read the label and follow cautions, warnings and directions.

Diseases: If spots or mold appear, treat plants with an approved fungicide. Neem oil, sulfur, and other fungicides may be used. When using fungicides always follow label directions.

Harvesting:

Luffa Gourd for consumption is best harvested when 4-8 inches long, when the dark skin can be pierced with a fingernail, and the seeds are still soft and white. Luffa Gourd for sponge production may be left to fully mature on the vine until the skin is brown, dry and peels away naturally. Drying can continue indoors after harvest; rotate luffa regularly to allow all sides to become well-dried. After luffa is fully dried, peel skin and shake out seeds. Alternatively, soak gourds in warm water for several days to remove skin easily and rinse out pulp and seeds, then let dry for about a week.