Luffa

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Luffa (lat. Luffa) - a genus of herbaceous liana-like plants of the Pumpkin family. Another name is loofah pumpkin. Luffa is found naturally in tropical and subtropical regions of Africa and Asia. Currently, more than 50 species have been identified.

Characteristics of culture

Luffa is an annual plant cultivated primarily to obtain a vegetable sponge (washcloth). Only young, underdeveloped fruits are eaten. Of all the existing species, only two have become widespread in culture: sharp-toothed luffa (lat. Luffa acutangula) and cylindrical luffa (lat. Luffa cylindrica). The rest of the species produce too small fruits, which prevents them from being grown as food and industrial products. Luffa flowers are large, white or yellow, female and male flowers develop in the axils of the same leaves, only male flowers are collected in racemose inflorescences.

Leaves are whole, five or seven lobed. Fruits are cylindrical, elongated, fibrous and dry inside, contain a large number of seeds. Cylindrical luffa has larger fruits than sharp-toothed luffa, but the second species is distinguished by its rapid growth and cold-resistant properties. Luffa blooms from July to September. In the middle lane, 7-12 fruits are removed from one plant. The weight of one fruit varies from 0.2 to 3 kg. As the fruits ripen, the luffa dries out from the inside, and the weight decreases accordingly.

Growing conditions

Luffa is a thermophilic and gentle culture; it prefers well-warmed, lit throughout the day, areas protected from northern winds. Soils are desirable loose, rich in nutrients. In a mature state, luffa does not accept temperatures below 10C, as a result of their action, the fruits are affected by anthracnose and become unusable.

Soil preparation and sowing

In the southern regions, luffa is grown by sowing seeds in open ground, in the northern regions - through seedlings. The ridges are prepared in the fall: the soil is dug up, manure is applied (5-6 kg per 1 sq. M), nitrogen (20-40 g), phosphorus (40-60 g) and potassium fertilizers (20-30 g). Seedlings are sown for seedlings at the end of April. The seeds are preliminarily subjected to pre-sowing treatment: they are kept in water for three days. Shoots appear on the 5-6th day. Seedlings are planted in the ground after the threat of frost has passed. Landing scheme 1 * 1 or 1 * 1.5 m.

Care

Since the luffa forms very long lashes (up to 5-6 m), they are hung on trellises or netting. Also, for support, you can use several pegs and a strong wire stretched between them. Luffa should not be tied to trees, since when it comes into contact with the branches, its young ovaries are injured, and subsequently completely rot. An important measure for caring for a loofah is watering. It is necessary to monitor the moisture content of the soil; in no case should it be allowed to dry out.

During the period of active growth, the crop responds positively to fertilization. During the season, 5-6 dressings are carried out with liquid mineral fertilizers. Two weeks after planting the seedlings in the ground, the plants are fed with an ammophos solution, in the future, you can use a urea solution. By the end of the growing season, the introduction of any complex fertilizer is not prohibited.

At the initial stage of growth, the main stem is pinched over 4-5 leaves, this procedure causes the active growth of lateral shoots. Late-set fruits are removed, so the plant will use all its strength to grow the rest of the more developed fruits. As soon as the shell of the fruit acquires a yellow color, they are removed. The shell and seeds are removed from the fruits, the "skeleton" of hard fibers is washed and dried. Thus, a sponge is obtained.

Application

Not so long ago, Luffa was used to make bath sponges, but modern polymer materials have replaced it. This is despite the fact that Luffa helps to cleanse the skin and massage the muscles of the body. Also, technical details were made from luffa: air and fuel filters, seals for various mechanisms, etc. Luffa is used in cooking and folk medicine. Soups are seasoned with fruits, often served as an independent dish, or rather, a side dish for meat. The juice from the stalks of luffa is used as a cosmetic, it allows you to get rid of conjunctivitis.