{"product_id":"gourde-loofah-ancestrale","title":"Heirloom Loofah Gourd","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eLuffa aegyptiaca.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the most fascinating plants of the vegetable garden — the one that produces naturally, by simple drying, the vegetable sponge found in bathrooms all over the world. The loofah gourd (sometimes spelled \u003cem\u003eluffa\u003c\/em\u003e or \u003cem\u003eloofa\u003c\/em\u003e) has been cultivated in Asia for over 4,000 years, native to the tropical forests of southern and southeastern Asia. The genus name \u003cem\u003eLuffa\u003c\/em\u003e is derived directly from the Arabic \u003cem\u003elūf\u003c\/em\u003e, which already designated the plant in the Middle Ages. Botanically, it belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family (with cucumbers, squashes, melons and cucamelon), but in a genus of its own — distinct from \u003cem\u003eCucumis\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eCucurbita\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo main species are cultivated — \u003cem\u003eLuffa aegyptiaca\u003c\/em\u003e (smooth cylindrical fruits, called \"Egyptian loofah,\" although it is in fact Asian) and \u003cem\u003eLuffa acutangula\u003c\/em\u003e (angular fruits with longitudinal ridges). What makes this plant so special is that it has two distinct lives: \u003cem\u003eyoung\u003c\/em\u003e, it eats like a tender, delicious vegetable; \u003cem\u003emature and dried\u003c\/em\u003e, it becomes a 100 % biodegradable vegetable sponge of millennial use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA particularly vigorous climbing plant — vines that can reach 4 to 6 metres in peak season, with large palmate light green leaves and large bright yellow flowers that draw pollinators. Production in two modes depending on the project: \u003cstrong\u003eas a vegetable\u003c\/strong\u003e, harvest the fruits young at 12 to 20 cm long, still green and tender — melting white flesh, mild fresh flavour, lightly zucchini-cucumber, to use in Chinese stir-fries (the famous Cantonese \u003cem\u003esi gua\u003c\/em\u003e 丝瓜, stir-fried with garlic and ginger), Indian curries (\u003cem\u003eturai ki sabzi\u003c\/em\u003e), Vietnamese soups (\u003cem\u003ecanh mướp\u003c\/em\u003e), or simply steamed with soy sauce. Japanese cooking also uses it in Okinawan \u003cem\u003ehechima\u003c\/em\u003e. \u003cstrong\u003eAs a sponge\u003c\/strong\u003e, let the fruits FULLY ripen on the vine (skin turning yellow-brown, fruit becoming light and sounding hollow when shaken), pick before frost, peel off the dried skin to reveal the famous internal fibrous skeleton, shake to drop out the black seeds (keep for next season), rinse several times in water to whiten, and dry completely. The result is the perfect vegetable sponge: exfoliating, durable, compostable, without a scrap of plastic waste.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrower's tip:\u003c\/strong\u003e This is probably one of the most demanding challenges in the Québec vegetable garden. Loofah needs 120 to 150 frost-free days to produce mature sponges, which far exceeds the standard growing season. Strategy of VERY early indoor start, 8 to 10 weeks before transplanting, at 25-28 °C on a heat mat. The hard-coated seeds benefit from a 24-hour soak in warm water before sowing, or even a light scarification (rub the tip of the seed on fine sandpaper) to accelerate germination. Transplant early to mid-June once nights are stable above 15 °C, in the warmest spot in the garden, ideally against a south wall that reflects heat. SOLID and HIGH staking mandatory (trellis 2.5 m minimum, or pergola, or tall fence) — the vines are vigorous and the mature fruits heavy. For regions further north in Québec, greenhouse or unheated tunnel culture is almost indispensable for mature sponge production. For simple consumption of young fruits, the challenge is lesser — most Québec gardens can produce at least a few young edible fruits in the second half of the season.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOpen-pollinated. Asian heirloom variety. Annual. Monoecious, bee-pollinated, so crosses only with other \u003cem\u003eLuffa\u003c\/em\u003e (rare in cultivation), but NOT with squashes, cucumbers or melons (different genera).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVine length: 4 to 6 m. Solid trellis mandatory.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaturity: 90 to 100 days for young edible fruits, 120 to 150 days for mature sponges.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExposure: full sun, maximum warmth.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVery rich, deep, well-drained, warm soil. Generous compost application at planting. Space plants 60 to 90 cm apart.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIndoor start 8 to 10 weeks before transplanting (March \/ early April). Soak 24 h or scarify the seeds. Transplant early to mid-June once nights are above 15 °C. Greenhouse\/tunnel recommended for mature sponges.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Joual Vert","offers":[{"title":"20","offer_id":42401187233964,"sku":"GC-H-GOULUF-20","price":3.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100","offer_id":42401187266732,"sku":"GC-H-GOULUF-100","price":15.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"500","offer_id":43181666271404,"sku":"GC-H-GOULUF-500","price":63.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0532\/1388\/8684\/products\/luffa.jpg?v=1675974764","url":"https:\/\/joualvert.ca\/en\/products\/heirloom-loofah-gourd-seeds","provider":"Joual Vert","version":"1.0","type":"link"}