Wild Luffa

Our seedlings have sprouted and are growing strong roots and stems. My students have loved nurturing them and watching them develop. So far every seed we have planted is growing. Students are noticing how each type of pepper has different leaves. We cant wait to harvest them in a few months.
We have started our luffa seeds and hope to have the same results.

I’ve tried to start these seeds 3 different times, they have been very difficult to grow. I’ve started them outside and indoors for transplant. They either never germinate or don’t thrive after transplant. Maybe more detailed instructions for scoring the seed would help?

The Wild Luffa has been one of my favorite plants. The leaves and flowers are a beautiful addition to my garden. It seems to be a hearty plant. The only drawback (if you want to call it that) I have is that I've only bought seeds once about three years ago and luffa pop up all over my garden every spring/summer without replanting. The luffa I couldn't get to before they fall off the plant always seed themselves.

The Wild Luffa is one of the more challenging plants for me due to how tasty it is to the critters, the slow germination rate and long maturation time. I scarified and soaked the seeds for five days. They sometimes dried out (during the soaking process) but still they all sprouted in a planter after a week or two in the soil. The soil was above 75 degrees when I put them in. The one (of the five) that didn't get eaten by the critters is tiny and gathering strength still. We get quite a lot of rain up here. Fewer sunny days could account for the slow growth I am seeing with this desert adapted plant. Next year, I will start a bunch in-doors (I am in Michigan) February rather than May and see if we can do better.

I love the Wild Luffa plant and grow them for years now. Green very long vine and full of yellow sweet flowers. The grow themselves year after year. I don't even sow them anymore they just love my garden.