In philippines they call this patola. They're harvested when they're young and not yet fibrous, and used in cooking similarly to how zuchini is used. Great in chicken soup.
My mother in law grows them in the back yard and has no issues growing them. She gets a huge haul growing them from the ground here in the Houston area. They get to be HUGE. You have to cut them down to 4 pieces. And yes, you shake them and hear the seeds rattling around. Let them dry out a lot more in the future.
You’ve been a great source of happiness and peace for me, here in Melbourne Australia. You have the sweetest disposition and your excitement for the garden is contagious! Peace and love!
It's so encouraging for beginning gardeners to see that even the experts get stumped sometimes! I'm so happy for you that you finally got your luffa! My neighbor gave me some luffa seeds last year, but I put them up for safekeeping, and you know what that means, lol.
You sound like me!!!! “I thought I planted a loofah but instead it was cucumber.” Omg I’m laughing hard because instead of a cucumber for me it’s birdhouse gourd! Hahaha I think my kids did it but it’s been fun watching it grow.
I ordered kale seeds from Sweden once, thinking I might be able to grow some on my balcony during the long and warm Croatian autumn, and make Swedish Christmas kale. Well, I did think the one plant that grew from those seeds looked a bit different, but it was also kind of fun to harvest a cantaloupe melon on the balcony in November 😆 I still don't know how I didn't see that the seeds couldn't possibly be kale.
try young luffa soup. when it's soft, green and before the fibres develop. the flesh is a soft vegetable. if you harvest it young enough, even the seeds are baby soft. i peel it, chop or cube it, then sautee it in onions, garlic, ginger, an optional bit of meat. add broth. bring to boil. add thin noodles. some people add moringa leaves. yummy healthy treat.
I live in Michigan I have no problems with transplanting , however the problem is they are still green when the first frost comes and i have to pick them all early. I have 6 on my counter right now that are 12- 14 inches long and beautiful but they are dark green. Same thing happened last year.
“Let’s go asmr” (N.E.V.E.R stops talking!!!!) “I’ve gotta be quiet” (STILLLLL yammering!!) Lol. Thanks for the video. I didn’t realize how finicky these were to grow. My grandmother used to grow them. She had 8 kids/kid-in-laws and 15 grandchildren and every year for Christmas we ALL got a new loofa and so did her friends in Sunday school and her neighbors, all in a climate that has harsh winters. I just assumed they grew like weeds.
One of my favorite vegetables growing up in a Taiwanese household. So many ways to prepare it (really delicious with small shrimp or dried shrimp) or in a soup and it’s very nutritious! Let it grow old and you’ve got a sponge. Probably one of the most versatile plants!
The loofah grows very well in our South African climate and bears in abundance. We harvest them when they are still young, green and soft and cook them in a curry. It's delicious on its own but many like to add a little dried shrimps or fish to enhance the flavour. It can also be cooked with fava beans (double beans).The fruit that get too firm to cook are left to dry and we use the sponge in the bath.
We’re so glad our Victory Planter helped you finally grow an epic luffa sponge!! Thanks to your challenge, we grew luffa too, and loved it. It’s a beautiful vine!
We need more things like this happening in schools 💚 Children need to be taught how to grow food. We are homeschooling and my children help in the garden.
I was so happy to see this video. A whole video on luffa. Thank you. I germinated three luffa; gave one to a neighbor, and planted two in large pots which I placed at the base of a wood arbor swing. I remember seeing your luffa climbing a tall trellis in your front yard garden in the spring and felt encouraged to give this plant a strong place to grow. I only got two total sponges to grow from both my plants, but my neighbor reports he got two from the one plant I gave him! Kevin, you encouraged me to keep going when I couldn’t get any female flowers to open, and I’m glad I waited. In anticipation of the fall NJ weather I had to bring in my luffas. Because they were in pots I was able to bring one of the entire plants in, so that sponge is still green and healthy. The second is starting to soften, but thanks to this video, I know now not to peel it until it looks like a banana. I will definitely be growing more next year, so I will follow along with your challenge in 2021. Cheers!
This is so fun! Congrats! I grew my first luffas this year. I live in Redlands, which is about 2 hrs north of you and has a hot inland climate. I started 4 plants in March and transplanted them twice (once into bigger pots because my raised beds weren't finished yet, and then finally into my raised beds). Those things turned into monsters and took over my garden! I started harvesting in August and the vines are still covered with more gourds; I'm at the point where I'm cutting off the new baby luffas because I can't handle any more. I think I'm going to end up with about 75 luffas, many of which are over 2 ft long!
Wow.......these things are a weed in my city (Lagos, Nigeria). They grow everywhere so i have never thought of growing them. I think i would give it a try now. Love your channel.
When I was a kid we grow so much of these in our farm in the Philippines, now being in zone 7a here in the state I really appreciate tropical weather where you can grow anything with ease!
the Tags on all my vines washed away (thanks sharpie PERMANANT MARKERS) So I broke leaves and smelled/tasted them to help guess. I thought the huge vine was a butternut squash... but it still hasn't flowered mid september. Then I remember I planted a loofa too... and they dont flower till days are shorter. My 5'x5' greenhouse only has 2 sun loving plants in it, and it's completely full because I trained the vines on the shelves (and out the windows to climb more). Only have one Cantaloupe on the other vine getting pretty big so far but nothing yet on the loofas. I just bonemealed and added a new layer of soil, Fingers crossed they start flowering.
Note: It's been a very cool rainy summer here in Zone 6 new England... last year my loofas struggled and died early... I'm guessing they like 70's 80's and lots of Rain. We've only had two 4-5 day streaks over 90 and never hit 100 this year. I might have accidentally broken the code to loofa growing... live in Seattle or London weather lol
I use luffas for dishes. More environmentally friendly, never gets that sponge stench. When I lived with the Hmong tribe in Northern Vietnam, we grew them and ate them.
I usually plant these every year, but with Michigan's weather, tons of rain these past 3 years, it's been a super challenge to get anything to grow fully let alone to ripen. Thankfull I have new polleninaters this year and it's fun again . A joy to be in the garden again.🥰 LOVE YOUR CHANNEL, KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK
Dreams do come true haha. Such a romantic! Dude that was definitely satisfying. I feel the excitement and the luffa gods must be pleased. Definitely growing luffa next year. Keep on growing epic team
lol you are a natural comedian...0) i had to stop at 3.42 cos laughing too much to hear what you were saying. I LOVE how transparent you are.....right! back to the video! xxxx
First time growing Luffa's this year up in Zone 4a Ontario Canada. Grew about 30 vines, started them indoors in March and transplanted in June. Crushing it, I have over 50 growing now. If I can grow these in a cold climate, anyone should be able to grow them
Glad to see you back Kevin!Love the way that you explain to me about your plants!Keep it up!I love your content and one day you will be rewarded with the diamond play button!Almost there to a million subs!I'll be supporting you always! :)
Mazel Tov! The best thing about a home grown luffa is sewing on two cotton rope or tape handles and then scrubbing the middle of your back - especially the lattermost part.
Plant Daddy !!! Congratulations on your newborn Luffa! 2 years is a long gestation but at least the delivery was quick and painless. How long before Baby Luffa #2 gets her cord cut? Look at all those seeds! Get them planted when the time is right and you'll be a Plant Grand-Daddy next year. Watching this is the most fun I've had in ages!
I love how Kevin is so interested in plants. He even called it a beautiful creature😊 that warmed my heart. I love my plant babies, I'm sure his plant babies love him so much.
Thank you for this video! I just looked up I can probaly grow luffa in zone 6 but we shall see LOL... I tried a luffa sponge to replace my kitchen sponges and end up loving it. TBH they last waaaay loooonger than my dish sponges because they don't stink up after a long time of uses!~ TBH they don't scrub as well but it does a good job for everyday dishes.
I have had fantastic luck with loofahs this year ... my first year growing them. I have about 50 growing from four seedlings that took. Two matured and pealed so far. So satisfying. Ideally, everyone will be getting a loofah for Christmas. I hope to make soaps with them too. Then there's my pumpkins. I'll be lucky to get two!
Hi sir Luffas is my favourite sponges my family really enjoyed it to used for shower body washing with soaps everyday very useful plants I really enjoying watching different videos from everyone growing Luffas makes me very excited and so much fun to watch thank you so much for sharing 👍👍
I totally understand your excitement, I also planted one summer 2020 and like you I also transplanted it, it took but was very sad looking, Had 1 flower and a fruit which....yup, you got it. It fell off. Because I live in zone 5a and need to start indoors and not knowing they did not like to be transplanted. I will not give up. Will try again this year but start it in the container that I will just move outdoors. Love your videos.
Wow, congrats on your first full-fledged loofah - it’s a beauty! And today I learned that loofahs come from plants and not from Target 😬. I never hear of people growing loofah here on the east coast where I am, so thanks for sharing and teaching me something!
omg i failed last year to grow my loofah and it was difficult from the beginning... didn't want to do that again but i'll try once more after i heard your story. Thanks
Third time's a charm I guess, because this year has been the first bountiful one I've had growing these. I've been growing these on, oddly enough, a north facing wall that only gets direct sunlight until roughly 1PM. I have them growing in a Kratky hydroponic system, and the root system in the bucket is insane. The vines are reaching 15' at this point and show no sign of stopping. The flowers open around dusk and the bumblebees can't get enough of them! I have one luffa about 16" in length. These have been so fun to grow!
Grew our first luffas in our MG demo garden this year here in San Jose. Transplanted them in late May along with an apple gourd and a birdhouse gourd. Plants have been prolific and we harvested our first 2 luffas last week. Peeling was super exciting, just like you in the video! Looking forward to many more ripening in the next few weeks.
I love learning and you just taught me that the things I've used my entire life is made from a plant and not man-made and manufactured in the way I have always thought. Subscribed! Keep the knowledge and stuff coming loved the video!
I started mine inside. We had a hot spring, so I set it out and then 2020 gave us the cold spell... And it sat and sat and sat - I thought it was done for... And then it took off again! I got 5 luffa (2 are 18", and 3 are 3 ft long!!!). Only the little ones turned color, the big ones stayed dark green. Due to cold temps coming on and having freezing nights a couple times, I brought the green ones in (today) and manually cleaned them out and have luffa. WOO HOO
For the (8) people that gave this video a thumbs down too bad they have so much negativity in their heart and soul. Great job Kevin not only was the video a great way to start our day because you made us smile, you also showed that patience is the key to gardening. 🤙🏼
I have already been growing luffa for 2 years, but I had to watch this just for your excitement lol. So happy that you finally got your luffa, congrats!
I just purchased your book "Field Guide to Urban Gardening: How to Grow Plants, No Matter Where You Live..." So much content for 23 bucks! Beautiful Book...I purchased the spiral bound version. Thanks Kevin!!
Hey Epic Gardening! Your channel is so helpful. I'm 13 years old and decided to grow radishes and beet (People said they grew fast). I planted them. The beetroot germinated, but soon died. I planted the radishes and some of them died, and some of them are alive. I think I overwatered them (I gave them water everyday). I did it because i saw the soil was dry (People said keep their soil moist). Did I over water them or under water? If anyone could respond or even you Epic Gardening it would be helpful :D
@@nikhilapte4782 It's a bit hard to recommend how much to water without knowing the climate/season that you were growing in. For example, my area gets a lot of rain and doesn't require watering at all in spring/fall, whereas Epic Gardener is in sunny Cali and would probably need to water more often. The best way to check for soil moisture is sticking a finger (or stick) in an inch or so and seeing if the soil is dark rather than just looking at the surface. Also instead of watering everyday maybe try deep-watering once/twice a week, that way it gets down to the roots instead of evaporating straight away from warm weather (there's a lot of videos explaining deep-watering that may be helpful). Hope your beets turn out well! And try again next year, sometimes it takes multiple tries to get a harvest from certain crops, like Kevin and his Luffa xD
I've found that humidity domes are absolutely essential for germinating seeds since it keeps the soil at a good moisture level. If you don't have a dome and have a small enough pot you are planting in, take a ziplock bag big enough and put it over the pot. It's not as good at keeping the soil moist as a humidity some would be, but it's better than straight open air.
Iv been loving watching my luffa grow. One transplant failed the 2nd was a success and a half! I have 2 luffa growing at the same time that are longer than my arm! When it starts putting effort in the newer luffas ill pop em and try to eat the younger ones
Congrats Kevin on your tenacity and success!! I have to laugh, because, we all have had a challenging plant that simply won’t work for us and our anxiety is exactly the same. But to have the wrong seed put a years growing opportunity in the toilet is beyond the pale!!! After all, it’s more than enough to deal with weather and pests....but wrong seed? Just too insulting!😬 I look forward to your forthcoming video on luffa growing. Enjoy that sponge!!!!!👍🏻
In Nipomo, CA there is a small luffa farm where they give tours and sell the luffas they grow, very interesting. They are so much better than the kind you get in the store that have been processed with chemicals so they are stiff and get gross. AND luffas can be used to clean with, nice scrubber!
I knew the word "luffa" and knew it to mean a thing you used in the shower. But, I never knew they were grown. I have only ever known of the plastic variety.
We grow Luffa primarily for food. Its young fruits, young leaves, flowers can be cooked in several ways. When we cannot consume all, we just let the fruit mature for seeds, and for fibre production. We use the fibre as a body sponge/scrub when taking a shower or bath, use it to wash and scrub utensils as well. My family in the Philippines have been doing this since 1960s to the present. All organic. No need to buy any kind of inorganic sponge material. Good for the environment.
Your journey and fascination with luffa is very much like my own journey with pawpaw fruit trees. Lol! That was a very satisfying peel. I loved seeing your enthusiasm. Congratulations on your success!
I saw that video of that eastern european guy with a luffa farm. He grew these massive ones and i believe fermented them in a large cauldron. I had always thought sponges were either artificial or had come from the ocean. Once I realised there was an eco friendly way to make sponges, I became much more open to the idea
I transplanted 3 plants from one bed to another. I think maintaining high frequency watering is what kept them going. Also my gourds never started to dry on the vine so I waited until they were firm to squeeze and then you can peel them. Its a little more work to get out the seeds and pulp but they do fine. But I also didnt get as many mature seeds. Probably only 3 gourds over 20.
My first year growing luffa was also a bust. 🥴 I live in Michigan and our growing season is short so I start my seeds inside to give it a head start. I can't wait for them to dry out on the vine. I do a lot of soaking and cutting the skin off. I harvest about 10-20 luffas a year. The most amazing plant ever.
🤣 you are so funny！ great job! The peeling is absolutely appealing! Luff is extremely productive if you get them the right condition! One plant can give you 10-15 large fruits. You need to give it space to crawl and pinch off the main stem when it gets over 3-4feet. Actually Luffa start fruiting when the nights get shorter and the day/night temperature differences gets larger. That’s why you don’t see those female flowers in the beginning when it is still in the mid of summertime. BTW, young luffa fruits are super yummy! Chop that green one up and make a stir fry or soup out of it! You won’t regret!
Oh my! The anticipation!!! Ugh, loofah envy right now! 😒😒😑😂😂 But man did I enjoy that! First thing I thought on seeing the seeds is "gimme dem seeds!" 😂 Thank you so much for sharing this moment 😊
I planted mine too late, in late July and there is only one Luffa, which I am still happy about. I will definitely start way earlier next year to have at least a dozen of Luffas! I use it as a dish sponge.
that's so easy to grow here in the Philippines...we call it "patola"🌳😎😆(pronounced with short A like in Abort)...it's one of those "popular" vegetables here in the Philippines
What should I challenge myself to grow next year and document for you guys?
Have you grown Melons?
Birdhouse gourds!!!
Vanilla Orchid for sure. All the temperament of an orchid with a needy fruit lol
Ground cherries
Asparagus... Coconut tree.
"We're birthing!" Hahaha. You're so weird 😂 Congratulations on your new loofah babies.
😂
Not weird! He loves sharing moments! Thank you Mr. Epic!
In philippines they call this patola. They're harvested when they're young and not yet fibrous, and used in cooking similarly to how zuchini is used. Great in chicken soup.
Nag kalat Lang to satin HAHAHA
Same
In India and Pakistan
My friend(has a filipino girlfriend)literally told me this is his favorite thing with them a few hours ago when I mentioned I was growing them.
Wait this is patola??? Di ko alam hahaha
omg yes. I'll eat a ton of patola in tinola but not sayote, I hate that one, but patola I love
My mother in law grows them in the back yard and has no issues growing them. She gets a huge haul growing them from the ground here in the Houston area. They get to be HUGE. You have to cut them down to 4 pieces. And yes, you shake them and hear the seeds rattling around. Let them dry out a lot more in the future.
You’ve been a great source of happiness and peace for me, here in Melbourne Australia.
You have the sweetest disposition and your excitement for the garden is contagious!
Peace and love!
This means a lot!
It's so encouraging for beginning gardeners to see that even the experts get stumped sometimes! I'm so happy for you that you finally got your luffa! My neighbor gave me some luffa seeds last year, but I put them up for safekeeping, and you know what that means, lol.
You sound like me!!!! “I thought I planted a loofah but instead it was cucumber.” Omg I’m laughing hard because instead of a cucumber for me it’s birdhouse gourd! Hahaha
I think my kids did it but it’s been fun watching it grow.
You can eat them when they are very young. If you really, really like fiber - you can eat them when they are bigger.
Thanks maybe next year. I have to wait a year for the birdhouse to dry out completely 😳😅😂🤣
I ordered kale seeds from Sweden once, thinking I might be able to grow some on my balcony during the long and warm Croatian autumn, and make Swedish Christmas kale. Well, I did think the one plant that grew from those seeds looked a bit different, but it was also kind of fun to harvest a cantaloupe melon on the balcony in November 😆 I still don't know how I didn't see that the seeds couldn't possibly be kale.
try young luffa soup. when it's soft, green and before the fibres develop. the flesh is a soft vegetable. if you harvest it young enough, even the seeds are baby soft. i peel it, chop or cube it, then sautee it in onions, garlic, ginger, an optional bit of meat. add broth. bring to boil. add thin noodles. some people add moringa leaves. yummy healthy treat.
Definitely will
Everything doesn't have to be meat.
They're so much fun to grow, when they actually grow. Nice work, bro.
Thanks brotha!
I actually thought these came from the sea, because I used to buy them from gift shops in Tarpon Springs sponge docks in Florida 😂
I live in Michigan I have no problems with transplanting , however the problem is they are still green when the first frost comes and i have to pick them all early. I have 6 on my counter right now that are 12- 14 inches long and beautiful but they are dark green. Same thing happened last year.
This is one of the plants i am getting ready to put up a new trellis for growing next year. Hoping for the best.
I an growing these for the first time ever I am 16 and I am hoping to make a business out of it... I live in South Africa
You got this
Do it
Good luck.👍🏼
That’s a really good idea
Good luck!
“Let’s go asmr”
(N.E.V.E.R stops talking!!!!)
“I’ve gotta be quiet”
(STILLLLL yammering!!)
Lol.
Thanks for the video. I didn’t realize how finicky these were to grow. My grandmother used to grow them. She had 8 kids/kid-in-laws and 15 grandchildren and every year for Christmas we ALL got a new loofa and so did her friends in Sunday school and her neighbors, all in a climate that has harsh winters. I just assumed they grew like weeds.
One of my favorite vegetables growing up in a Taiwanese household. So many ways to prepare it (really delicious with small shrimp or dried shrimp) or in a soup and it’s very nutritious! Let it grow old and you’ve got a sponge. Probably one of the most versatile plants!
The loofah grows very well in our South African climate and bears in abundance. We harvest them when they are still young, green and soft and cook them in a curry. It's delicious on its own but many like to add a little dried shrimps or fish to enhance the flavour. It can also be cooked with fava beans (double beans).The fruit that get too firm to cook are left to dry and we use the sponge in the bath.
The intensity of watching you pick, then peel a loofah, was an experience. Congrats!
We’re so glad our Victory Planter helped you finally grow an epic luffa sponge!! Thanks to your challenge, we grew luffa too, and loved it. It’s a beautiful vine!
Now do the price decrease challenge!
growing luffa was a school project back when I was 5th grade. I remember my mom was happy when I gifted it.
We need more things like this happening in schools 💚 Children need to be taught how to grow food. We are homeschooling and my children help in the garden.
I was so happy to see this video. A whole video on luffa. Thank you. I germinated three luffa; gave one to a neighbor, and planted two in large pots which I placed at the base of a wood arbor swing. I remember seeing your luffa climbing a tall trellis in your front yard garden in the spring and felt encouraged to give this plant a strong place to grow. I only got two total sponges to grow from both my plants, but my neighbor reports he got two from the one plant I gave him! Kevin, you encouraged me to keep going when I couldn’t get any female flowers to open, and I’m glad I waited. In anticipation of the fall NJ weather I had to bring in my luffas. Because they were in pots I was able to bring one of the entire plants in, so that sponge is still green and healthy. The second is starting to soften, but thanks to this video, I know now not to peel it until it looks like a banana. I will definitely be growing more next year, so I will follow along with your challenge in 2021. Cheers!
This is so fun! Congrats! I grew my first luffas this year. I live in Redlands, which is about 2 hrs north of you and has a hot inland climate. I started 4 plants in March and transplanted them twice (once into bigger pots because my raised beds weren't finished yet, and then finally into my raised beds). Those things turned into monsters and took over my garden! I started harvesting in August and the vines are still covered with more gourds; I'm at the point where I'm cutting off the new baby luffas because I can't handle any more. I think I'm going to end up with about 75 luffas, many of which are over 2 ft long!
What a blessing!!
Wow.......these things are a weed in my city (Lagos, Nigeria). They grow everywhere so i have never thought of growing them. I think i would give it a try now. Love your channel.
Thats great for hobos...free luffas!
When I was a kid we grow so much of these in our farm in the Philippines, now being in zone 7a here in the state I really appreciate tropical weather where you can grow anything with ease!
the Tags on all my vines washed away (thanks sharpie PERMANANT MARKERS) So I broke leaves and smelled/tasted them to help guess.
I thought the huge vine was a butternut squash... but it still hasn't flowered mid september. Then I remember I planted a loofa too... and they dont flower till days are shorter.
My 5'x5' greenhouse only has 2 sun loving plants in it, and it's completely full because I trained the vines on the shelves (and out the windows to climb more). Only have one Cantaloupe on the other vine getting pretty big so far but nothing yet on the loofas. I just bonemealed and added a new layer of soil, Fingers crossed they start flowering.
Note: It's been a very cool rainy summer here in Zone 6 new England... last year my loofas struggled and died early... I'm guessing they like 70's 80's and lots of Rain. We've only had two 4-5 day streaks over 90 and never hit 100 this year.
I might have accidentally broken the code to loofa growing... live in Seattle or London weather lol
I use luffas for dishes. More environmentally friendly, never gets that sponge stench. When I lived with the Hmong tribe in Northern Vietnam, we grew them and ate them.
When a gardener is this excited and happy about a particular plant you know you gotta grow it!!
I usually plant these every year, but with Michigan's weather, tons of rain these past 3 years, it's been a super challenge to get anything to grow fully let alone to ripen. Thankfull I have new polleninaters this year and it's fun again . A joy to be in the garden again.🥰
LOVE YOUR CHANNEL, KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK
Dreams do come true haha. Such a romantic! Dude that was definitely satisfying. I feel the excitement and the luffa gods must be pleased. Definitely growing luffa next year. Keep on growing epic team
Wow!! I didn’t know luffa is made out of gourd plant.. Vietnamese use that plant to cook soups (the green not brown one)! It’s delicious with rice 🍚
Amazing! Humans are so resourceful! Love that people figured out you can create sponges from a plant.
I love how "nervous" and excited you are! That's what it's all about! The miracle and discovery and love/enjoyment of gardening! :)
I sure DO want to see an in-depth guide to luffa growing! Can't wait!
I need to find seeds you guys have made me obsessed
😂😂😂
lol you are a natural comedian...0) i had to stop at 3.42 cos laughing too much to hear what you were saying. I LOVE how transparent you are.....right! back to the video! xxxx
First time growing Luffa's this year up in Zone 4a Ontario Canada. Grew about 30 vines, started them indoors in March and transplanted in June. Crushing it, I have over 50 growing now. If I can grow these in a cold climate, anyone should be able to grow them
I grew one in my bedroom back in the 70s when I was like 13. didn't have any problem at all. Now I think I'll try again!
Glad to see you back Kevin!Love the way that you explain to me about your plants!Keep it up!I love your content and one day you will be rewarded with the diamond play button!Almost there to a million subs!I'll be supporting you always! :)
I'm so excited for it!!!
Mazel Tov!
The best thing about a home grown luffa is sewing on two cotton rope or tape handles and then scrubbing the middle of your back - especially the lattermost part.
Plant Daddy !!! Congratulations on your newborn Luffa! 2 years is a long gestation but at least the delivery was quick and painless. How long before Baby Luffa #2 gets her cord cut? Look at all those seeds! Get them planted when the time is right and you'll be a Plant Grand-Daddy next year. Watching this is the most fun I've had in ages!
I'm thinking about 1mo!
I love how Kevin is so interested in plants. He even called it a beautiful creature😊 that warmed my heart. I love my plant babies, I'm sure his plant babies love him so much.
You were as proud as a dad seeing his first child being born lol. I do understand the struggle. Good job Eric!!
You did it Kevin! And it's the most beautiful luffa I've ever seen! Thanks for encouraging us to grow this weird, wonderful vegetable. So fun!
Thank you for this video! I just looked up I can probaly grow luffa in zone 6 but we shall see LOL...
I tried a luffa sponge to replace my kitchen sponges and end up loving it. TBH they last waaaay loooonger than my dish sponges because they don't stink up after a long time of uses!~ TBH they don't scrub as well but it does a good job for everyday dishes.
CONGRATULATIONS Papa Loofah!!!
I love how much you got excited about peeling the loofah! Thanks for the great video!
You’re enthusiasm is beyond adorable!
I have had fantastic luck with loofahs this year ... my first year growing them. I have about 50 growing from four seedlings that took. Two matured and pealed so far. So satisfying. Ideally, everyone will be getting a loofah for Christmas. I hope to make soaps with them too. Then there's my pumpkins. I'll be lucky to get two!
Next season I’m in for the luffa challenge mate! :)
💯💯💯
Same here if I find a house lol.
Nothing like waiting for years but your hard work and persistence paid off
Congratulations! That’s always so satisfying when you finally crack something that was difficult!
Hi sir Luffas is my favourite sponges my family really enjoyed it to used for shower body washing with soaps everyday very useful plants I really enjoying watching different videos from everyone growing Luffas makes me very excited and so much fun to watch thank you so much for sharing 👍👍
This is my second year growing that. I've only dried them for a sponge. Last night, I cooked with 2 of them. Very delicious!
Omg it's perfect! It peeled so easily. It had so many seeds, too! Congratulations Papa, on your new baby luffa...haaaa.😀
I totally understand your excitement, I also planted one summer 2020 and like you I also transplanted it, it took but was very sad looking, Had 1 flower and a fruit which....yup, you got it. It fell off. Because I live in zone 5a and need to start indoors and not knowing they did not like to be transplanted. I will not give up. Will try again this year but start it in the container that I will just move outdoors. Love your videos.
These loofahs always remind me of my grandma she used to grow them in Mexico and we would always bring a bunch back home after visiting her.
Wow, congrats on your first full-fledged loofah - it’s a beauty! And today I learned that loofahs come from plants and not from Target 😬. I never hear of people growing loofah here on the east coast where I am, so thanks for sharing and teaching me something!
Hands down, the best peel!!! Loved the asmr moment. Could totally fall asleep with luffa sounds
thank you so much for 11 minutes of pure serotonin
omg i failed last year to grow my loofah and it was difficult from the beginning... didn't want to do that again but i'll try once more after i heard your story. Thanks
Third time's a charm I guess, because this year has been the first bountiful one I've had growing these. I've been growing these on, oddly enough, a north facing wall that only gets direct sunlight until roughly 1PM. I have them growing in a Kratky hydroponic system, and the root system in the bucket is insane. The vines are reaching 15' at this point and show no sign of stopping. The flowers open around dusk and the bumblebees can't get enough of them! I have one luffa about 16" in length. These have been so fun to grow!
Grew our first luffas in our MG demo garden this year here in San Jose. Transplanted them in late May along with an apple gourd and a birdhouse gourd. Plants have been prolific and we harvested our first 2 luffas last week. Peeling was super exciting, just like you in the video! Looking forward to many more ripening in the next few weeks.
This video was amazing! Your enthusiasm is contagious!! Excited to try this!
I love learning and you just taught me that the things I've used my entire life is made from a plant and not man-made and manufactured in the way I have always thought. Subscribed! Keep the knowledge and stuff coming loved the video!
I started mine inside. We had a hot spring, so I set it out and then 2020 gave us the cold spell... And it sat and sat and sat - I thought it was done for... And then it took off again! I got 5 luffa (2 are 18", and 3 are 3 ft long!!!). Only the little ones turned color, the big ones stayed dark green. Due to cold temps coming on and having freezing nights a couple times, I brought the green ones in (today) and manually cleaned them out and have luffa. WOO HOO
For the (8) people that gave this video a thumbs down too bad they have so much negativity in their heart and soul. Great job Kevin not only was the video a great way to start our day because you made us smile, you also showed that patience is the key to gardening. 🤙🏼
Well said!
I LOVE your enthusiasm, I gave up on growing Luffa, but now i might try again! Thanks from Australia
I have already been growing luffa for 2 years, but I had to watch this just for your excitement lol. So happy that you finally got your luffa, congrats!
I grew my first luffa this year!! Only got a few through the Florida swamp elements, but worth every day. Such a happy vine.
I need to grow a loofah now!! Something I've never considered until watching this.
7:59 OMG! Congratulations of your first successful luffa plant! 🥳 🎊 🎉
Your enthusiasm was infectious 😂 Couldn’t help but smile when you finally got what you wanted! Enjoy the loofah!
Love love love love your excitement about this!!! They also make amazing dish soap sponges!
This is so cool! I’m so excited for your long awaited loofah. I want to grow these now.
I love your excitement .... thanks for showing us that you struggle with growing some things too!
I just purchased your book "Field Guide to Urban Gardening: How to Grow Plants, No Matter Where You Live..." So much content for 23 bucks! Beautiful Book...I purchased the spiral bound version. Thanks Kevin!!
So glad to hear!
Hey Epic Gardening! Your channel is so helpful. I'm 13 years old and decided to grow radishes and beet (People said they grew fast). I planted them. The beetroot germinated, but soon died. I planted the radishes and some of them died, and some of them are alive. I think I overwatered them (I gave them water everyday). I did it because i saw the soil was dry (People said keep their soil moist). Did I over water them or under water? If anyone could respond or even you Epic Gardening it would be helpful :D
I would say more likely you over watered
@@epicgardening Ok, do you have any recommendations on how often i should water them?
Thanks for responding btw :D
Also you could have some kind of pest like cutworm or something... Just a thought.
@@nikhilapte4782 It's a bit hard to recommend how much to water without knowing the climate/season that you were growing in. For example, my area gets a lot of rain and doesn't require watering at all in spring/fall, whereas Epic Gardener is in sunny Cali and would probably need to water more often. The best way to check for soil moisture is sticking a finger (or stick) in an inch or so and seeing if the soil is dark rather than just looking at the surface. Also instead of watering everyday maybe try deep-watering once/twice a week, that way it gets down to the roots instead of evaporating straight away from warm weather (there's a lot of videos explaining deep-watering that may be helpful).
Hope your beets turn out well! And try again next year, sometimes it takes multiple tries to get a harvest from certain crops, like Kevin and his Luffa xD
I've found that humidity domes are absolutely essential for germinating seeds since it keeps the soil at a good moisture level. If you don't have a dome and have a small enough pot you are planting in, take a ziplock bag big enough and put it over the pot. It's not as good at keeping the soil moist as a humidity some would be, but it's better than straight open air.
Iv been loving watching my luffa grow. One transplant failed the 2nd was a success and a half! I have 2 luffa growing at the same time that are longer than my arm! When it starts putting effort in the newer luffas ill pop em and try to eat the younger ones
I purchased luffa seeds two weeks ago and I can't wait to start growing them this spring. I'm on San Diego as well and fingers crossed.
Congrats Kevin on your tenacity and success!!
I have to laugh, because, we all have had a challenging plant that simply won’t work for us and our anxiety is exactly the same. But to have the wrong seed put a years growing opportunity in the toilet is beyond the pale!!! After all, it’s more than enough to deal with weather and pests....but wrong seed? Just too insulting!😬
I look forward to your forthcoming video on luffa growing. Enjoy that sponge!!!!!👍🏻
we got some mystery seeds we just threw in the backyard and now we have loofa everywhere and now I'm trying to learn how to make sponges
Congrats Kevin!!! 👏🏽👏🏽 I’m glad your loofah didn’t fail this year!
In Nipomo, CA there is a small luffa farm where they give tours and sell the luffas they grow, very interesting. They are so much better than the kind you get in the store that have been processed with chemicals so they are stiff and get gross. AND luffas can be used to clean with, nice scrubber!
Thanks, I think I'll take a trip. Was looking for a place with good loofas.
I used to live in Grover Beach.... Seeing Nippmo, CA, on this comment made me cry.... Lol....
Congratulations!! And I'm HERE for the drama you're bringing lol
I'm genuinely proud of you lmao I know how bummed you were last year about getting none, I'm so glad you succeeded this year!
Wow watching the peel get taken off was a spiritual experience 🤩💯❕
I knew the word "luffa" and knew it to mean a thing you used in the shower. But, I never knew they were grown. I have only ever known of the plastic variety.
Congrats im encouraged . Especially seeing it's in a container. I want to use them to make soaps as a side business.
Omg, congratulations! I love it when you get the chance to successfully grow something yourself.
We grow Luffa primarily for food. Its young fruits, young leaves, flowers can be cooked in several ways. When we cannot consume all, we just let the fruit mature for seeds, and for fibre production. We use the fibre as a body sponge/scrub when taking a shower or bath, use it to wash and scrub utensils as well. My family in the Philippines have been doing this since 1960s to the present. All organic. No need to buy any kind of inorganic sponge material. Good for the environment.
Your journey and fascination with luffa is very much like my own journey with pawpaw fruit trees. Lol! That was a very satisfying peel. I loved seeing your enthusiasm. Congratulations on your success!
Likewise!
That was great. I laughed so many times-really enjoyed your honesty too! Those seeds are invaluable!
I’m def going to try luffa this spring.
Thanks!!!
I saw that video of that eastern european guy with a luffa farm. He grew these massive ones and i believe fermented them in a large cauldron. I had always thought sponges were either artificial or had come from the ocean. Once I realised there was an eco friendly way to make sponges, I became much more open to the idea
Looked this video up because I found on in the wild in guam today. Gonna plant from those seeds and see how it goes!
I transplanted 3 plants from one bed to another. I think maintaining high frequency watering is what kept them going. Also my gourds never started to dry on the vine so I waited until they were firm to squeeze and then you can peel them. Its a little more work to get out the seeds and pulp but they do fine. But I also didnt get as many mature seeds. Probably only 3 gourds over 20.
My first year growing luffa was also a bust. 🥴 I live in Michigan and our growing season is short so I start my seeds inside to give it a head start. I can't wait for them to dry out on the vine. I do a lot of soaking and cutting the skin off. I harvest about 10-20 luffas a year. The most amazing plant ever.
OMG this was the funniest video and I felt your excitement throughout. Love
I grew them in Mexico. Planted them in the ground and they grew like crazy! So much fun! Need to find seeds
In Thailand we use young one stir fry with garlic sauce and egg as well. It is yummy 😋
🤣 you are so funny！ great job! The peeling is absolutely appealing! Luff is extremely productive if you get them the right condition! One plant can give you 10-15 large fruits. You need to give it space to crawl and pinch off the main stem when it gets over 3-4feet. Actually Luffa start fruiting when the nights get shorter and the day/night temperature differences gets larger. That’s why you don’t see those female flowers in the beginning when it is still in the mid of summertime. BTW, young luffa fruits are super yummy! Chop that green one up and make a stir fry or soup out of it! You won’t regret!
Oh my! The anticipation!!! Ugh, loofah envy right now! 😒😒😑😂😂 But man did I enjoy that!
First thing I thought on seeing the seeds is "gimme dem seeds!" 😂
Thank you so much for sharing this moment 😊
Very cool. Hubby was impressed also. 💚
I had a great harvest last year but had to resow seeds 3 times this year with only a few luffas growing. These make such great sponges😀
I planted mine too late, in late July and there is only one Luffa, which I am still happy about. I will definitely start way earlier next year to have at least a dozen of Luffas! I use it as a dish sponge.
that's so easy to grow here in the Philippines...we call it "patola"🌳😎😆(pronounced with short A like in Abort)...it's one of those "popular" vegetables here in the Philippines