Variety Characteristics Latin name (Luffa acutangula)
Fruit is long and green with patterns. Plant is strong, can handle many days of heavy rain. Good taste.
Soil and Climate
Likes well drained sandy loam soil. Best grown in the rainy season, planting in May/ June. Likes sunny conditions
Planting Suggestions
Prepare planting holes in advance by mixing one planting trowel of compost or aged manure with the soil per hold. Plant 3-4 seeds in the prepared holes. Once 2 leaves are showing, thin out to leave only the 2 healthiest seedlings in each hole. Once 20-25 days old, prepare a trellis to allow the plants to climb. Allow 50 x 60 cms between rows.
Care
Fertilize 2 times, 1st at 30 days and again at 50-55 days before flowering. Use compost or aged manure. (observe the crop to see if enough fertility if not may fertilize again) When watering, should water evenly in the right amount, not leaving them dry or over watering (observe the planting soil).
Pests and Diseases
No disease problems found. However some pests eat leaves and fruits. For minor pest problems may removed by hand, for more serious, use wood vinegar solution to spray the plants.
Harvesting
Starts 75- 80 days after seeding
Seed Saving
After about 120 days, the fruits will become brown in color and lighten in weight. Harvest these fruits and sun dry another 2-3 days. When fully dry, remove the seeds from the fruit by first shaking the fruits and then making a hole at the end of the gourd. Shake the seeds out using a stick if needed to help. Clean the seeds fanning away dust and debris. They may then gradually be packed in paper bags. Bags should be marked with the name of the variety, day, month, and year of harvest. Fold this paper bag and put into a plastic bag. Keep in the refrigerator for better longterm germination and minimal seed respiration. If so stored, can keep for over 2 years.
