Also called Loofah or sponge squash. The fruits of this plant can be used as ornaments or sponges, but they can also be eaten when picked young, green and 15-20 cm long and 7.5 cm in diameter. The plants need a lot of heat to produce mature fruits (the ones you would like to use as a sponge), so growing in a greenhouse or tunnel is highly recommended to enable them to do so.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Seeds

~10

Difficulty       

Easy

Sowing        

Direct, Indoor

Lifecycle      

Annual

Root cellar   

Yes

Sowing season       

Spring, Summer

Growing tips

Conditions of germination:

depth of sowing: 2.5 cm

optimal temperatures of germination: 21 to 32 ºC

time for germination: 7 to 14 days

When to sow:

sow indoors 3 to 4 weeks before the last frost date in your area preferably in peat pots to facilitate transplanting OR

direct seeding when the soil is warm and the temperature is above 16ºC

Sowing technique: in pocket

In the same hole, sow 3 seeds 1 to 2 cm apart; when the seeds have germinated and the seedlings have reached a height of 5 cm, keep only the best plants.

Transplant outdoors (for seedlings started indoors):

When all risk of frost is removed and the air is warmed.

Distance in the garden:

between plants: 50 cm for a staked plant, 90 cm for a ground plant

between rows: 120 cm

Soil: rich, humid, well drained, loose

Exposure: full sun

Days to harvest: 100 to 120 days

Specificities:

For direct seeding, seeds can be sown on a mound of soil and compost and run the plants in opposite directions at ground level.

This plant can crawl on the ground or climb on a support. However, it is important to make sure that the plant is stable and solid, even if it means tying the plant and the squash to the support to avoid any breakage.

At full maturity, the stems of the plant turn yellow and the skin of the squash becomes very hard.