14 September 2007 Loofah for Sponges.

http://kazei.notlong.com/ 14 September 2007 Luffa aegyptiaca Common Names: loofah, luffa, smooth loofah, sponge gourd, vegetable spongeFamily: Cucurbitaceae (pumpkin Family).

There are two trellis's in the garden, with a total of 12 large fruiting bodies on four plants. Sponges will be made when the fruit turns yellow and are dry. These plants require a growing season of about six or more months, so I start them in the greenhouse in February. The mesh size of the trellis is 6 inches, so the size of the fruiting body can be determined approximately from viewing the photographs. I still have sponges from two years ago. Apparently the fruit can be cooked and eaten, but I have never tried them.

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