However you spell it, I have quite a few luffas, most still green, one brown, and two yellow. When should I pick them, and how? I'm planning on making loofa soap (slices of loufah in craft store olive oil-based soap) and would prefer to do it right. Do I need to cure them in some way? I'll google it, but I figure there's a DGr who has done it.
luffa loufah loofa
Hey Brigidlily;I haven't grown Luffas for over 20 years.However if you grew agyptiacca (smooth) the skin will be a lot easier to remove.I will look up in my records this weekend for the exact procedure of soaking.You can get the skin off the ridged ones as well but it is a lot more work.
Many thanks, zebraman! They are indeed the smooth ones, though roadrunner and a neighbor each gave me a huge ridged one (completely dry). I'll give them both a shot when I have a day to devote to them.
I have only grown the smooth versions as an edible, ( vine or chinese okra). But if you post in the Ornamental Gourds forum, I bet you will get all kinds of answers. Crafty bunch over there.
It's one of my favorites, Farmerdill. Good idea to post it there. I just think of that one when it comes to bushels and birdhouses, etc.
I love this soap!
Hey Brigidlily; Soak the brown/mature sponges in warm water from 5-20 minutes until the sponges slip out of their skins.When the sponges are free from the skin and excess pulp/seeds, a 10 % chlorine bleach solution can be used as a final rinse to lighten the sponges.