{"product_id":"luffa-aegyptiaca-luffa-vegetable-sponge-seeds","title":"Vegetable sponge - 15 seeds (Luffa cylindrica)","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"114\"\u003e🧽 \u003cstrong data-start=\"3\" data-end=\"23\"\u003eLuffa cylindrica\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem data-start=\"24\" data-end=\"47\"\u003eLoofah \/ Sponge Gourd\u003c\/em\u003e – Fast-Growing Climber for Edible Young Fruits \u0026amp; Natural Sponges\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"116\" data-end=\"605\"\u003e\u003cem data-start=\"116\" data-end=\"134\"\u003eLuffa cylindrica\u003c\/em\u003e is a vigorous, warm-season climbing plant grown both as a \u003cstrong data-start=\"193\" data-end=\"206\"\u003evegetable\u003c\/strong\u003e and for producing \u003cstrong data-start=\"225\" data-end=\"251\"\u003enatural loofah sponges\u003c\/strong\u003e. When harvested young, the smooth green fruits are tender and mild, ideal for stir-fries and curries. Left to fully mature, the fruits dry into fibrous sponges perfect for eco-friendly household and personal care use. With its large leaves, yellow flowers, and strong vines, luffa is also an attractive plant for greenhouses, tunnels, and sunny walls.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"607\" data-end=\"610\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"612\" data-end=\"634\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"616\" data-end=\"632\"\u003eKey Features\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"635\" data-end=\"895\"\u003e● Dual-purpose plant: edible young fruits or natural sponges\u003cbr data-start=\"695\" data-end=\"698\"\u003e● Fast-growing, vigorous climbing habit\u003cbr data-start=\"737\" data-end=\"740\"\u003e● Large yellow flowers attractive to pollinators\u003cbr data-start=\"788\" data-end=\"791\"\u003e● Ideal for greenhouses, polytunnels and warm gardens\u003cbr data-start=\"844\" data-end=\"847\"\u003e● Sustainable, plastic-free sponge alternative\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"897\" data-end=\"900\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"902\" data-end=\"951\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"906\" data-end=\"949\"\u003eHow to Sow \u0026amp; Grow Luffa cylindrica (UK)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"952\" data-end=\"1246\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"952\" data-end=\"968\"\u003eSow indoors:\u003c\/strong\u003e III–IV (March–April) in pots\u003cbr data-start=\"997\" data-end=\"1000\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1000\" data-end=\"1024\"\u003eTransplant outdoors:\u003c\/strong\u003e V–VI (May–June) once frost risk has passed and nights stay warm\u003cbr data-start=\"1088\" data-end=\"1091\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1091\" data-end=\"1111\"\u003eDirect outdoors:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem data-start=\"1112\" data-end=\"1129\"\u003eNot recommended\u003c\/em\u003e in cool climates\u003cbr data-start=\"1146\" data-end=\"1149\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1149\" data-end=\"1170\"\u003eHarvest (edible):\u003c\/strong\u003e VII–IX (July–September)\u003cbr data-start=\"1194\" data-end=\"1197\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1197\" data-end=\"1219\"\u003eHarvest (sponges):\u003c\/strong\u003e IX–X (September–October)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1248\" data-end=\"1625\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1248\" data-end=\"1276\"\u003eGermination temperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)\u003cbr data-start=\"1296\" data-end=\"1299\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1299\" data-end=\"1321\"\u003eAverage germ time:\u003c\/strong\u003e 7–14 days\u003cbr data-start=\"1331\" data-end=\"1334\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1334\" data-end=\"1344\"\u003eDepth:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2–3 cm (¾–1¼ in)\u003cbr data-start=\"1361\" data-end=\"1364\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1364\" data-end=\"1383\"\u003eLight required:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes\u003cbr data-start=\"1387\" data-end=\"1390\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1390\" data-end=\"1403\"\u003eMoisture:\u003c\/strong\u003e Regular watering; do not allow to dry out\u003cbr data-start=\"1445\" data-end=\"1448\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1448\" data-end=\"1464\"\u003eEnvironment:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong data-start=\"1465\" data-end=\"1477\"\u003eFull sun\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1477\" data-end=\"1480\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1480\" data-end=\"1494\"\u003eSoil type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rich, fertile, well-drained soil with added compost\u003cbr data-start=\"1546\" data-end=\"1549\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1549\" data-end=\"1567\"\u003ePlant spacing:\u003c\/strong\u003e 60–90 cm (24–36 in)\u003cbr data-start=\"1587\" data-end=\"1590\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1590\" data-end=\"1606\"\u003eVine length:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3–5 m (10–16 ft)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"1627\" data-end=\"1630\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1632\" data-end=\"1682\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1636\" data-end=\"1680\"\u003eSowing \u0026amp; Growing Tips (variety-specific)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1683\" data-end=\"1972\"\u003e● Provide strong supports for climbing vines.\u003cbr data-start=\"1728\" data-end=\"1731\"\u003e● Start seeds indoors for best results in the UK.\u003cbr data-start=\"1780\" data-end=\"1783\"\u003e● Harvest young fruits frequently for vegetable use.\u003cbr data-start=\"1835\" data-end=\"1838\"\u003e● Allow fruits to fully mature and dry on the vine for sponges.\u003cbr data-start=\"1901\" data-end=\"1904\"\u003e● Peel and rinse mature fruits to reveal the natural loofah fibre.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"1974\" data-end=\"1977\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1979\" data-end=\"2005\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1983\" data-end=\"2003\"\u003eSpecial Features\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2006\" data-end=\"2159\"\u003e● Produces genuine natural loofah sponges\u003cbr data-start=\"2047\" data-end=\"2050\"\u003e● Edible fruits when young, fibrous sponges when mature\u003cbr data-start=\"2105\" data-end=\"2108\"\u003e● Excellent choice for sustainable living gardens\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Happy Green Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51655849345362,"sku":"P182 - Luffa","price":2.39,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0974\/1896\/9426\/files\/P182Luffaseeds.jpg?v=1759487785","url":"https:\/\/happygreenshop.co.uk\/products\/luffa-aegyptiaca-luffa-vegetable-sponge-seeds","provider":"Happy Green Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}