How Do You Harvest Luffa Sponges?
Growing your own luffa sponges can be fun and profitable. Follow the steps below to know when and how to harvest your luffas for personal use or to sell. As the gourds reach maturity they will turn brown and lose moisture. This will make them more lightweight. Usually seeds can be heard inside with just a gently shake. Remove them from the vine before the blossom-end pops off. Remove from the vine and allow to dry inside for a few more days. It is best to allow them to dry on their sides in case the blossom-end gets bumped and falls off. Hold the gourds with the blossom-end up and gently shake them to loosen the seeds. Tapping them on your other hand is usually enough. Then gently apply pressure to the side of the blossom-end using your thumb. This should cause the blossom-end to “pop” off. Hold the gourd with the blossom-end down over the small container. The seeds will fall out. Keep shaking the gourd until you no longer hear a rattling sound and all the seeds are removed. Use your f
