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Post by ncgarden on Feb 13, 2015 17:46:24 GMT -5
My sister sent me some loofahs she grew this year. I loved them so much she sent me some loofah seeds. I am planning to stick them out onto a fence line in the direct sun. She also sent some hibiscus seed - not sure I can grow hibiscus here in NC, but I'm giving it a go. I am crazy about hibiscus tea and thought I'd like to add it to my herbal arsenal.
Anyone here grow them?
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Post by OregonRed on Feb 13, 2015 17:49:14 GMT -5
loofa seeds!
wow, I wanna try!
what are the growing conditions??
will they grow in Willamette Valley Oregon??
are they like a cactus?? oh wait, someone said like a: cucumber...
have any pics of them growing??
<<red rubs her hands together in anticipation....
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Post by breezygardener on Feb 13, 2015 17:59:20 GMT -5
My sister sent me some loofahs she grew this year. I loved them so much she sent me some loofah seeds. I am planning to stick them out onto a fence line in the direct sun. She also sent some hibiscus seed - not sure I can grow hibiscus here in NC, but I'm giving it a go. I am crazy about hibiscus tea and thought I'd like to add it to my herbal arsenal. Anyone here grow them?
Not only can you grow loofah to maturity & dry & clean for sponge use, but in their young stage they're edible & are/were a frequent addition to Chinese stir-fries before zucchini became popular. Apparently the flavor is similar.
As far as Hibiscus, while you most likely can grow it in NC (my parents grew a perennial variety successfully for many years in NY), you need to be sure as to the variety you have before you "add it to your herbal arsenal". Not every variety is edible, & even among those that are, some do have warnings re: interactions with prescription medications. Not all Hibiscus are the same.
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Post by gakaren on Feb 13, 2015 22:50:22 GMT -5
I have perennial hibiscus and my seeds originally came from my brother in central Ill. So yes, you can grow it there if it is a hardy variety. But heed Breezy's warning about ingesting it. Be sure before you try it.
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Post by ncgarden on Feb 14, 2015 11:10:16 GMT -5
OregonRed - the loofahs are like a cuke or a squash - they like hot weather, not sure if it gets hot enough in your area.
Fortunately, I was introduced to this hibiscus by drinking gallons of hibiscus tea my sister sent me and sells locally. Without formal research, I'm going on that experience and planning to drink it.
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Post by Latitude33 on Feb 14, 2015 15:16:18 GMT -5
Red
You should be able to grow the loofah but from what I've seen in the CG it does need a good trellis.
Am I the only that thinks Loofah & Hibiscus sounds like a Saturday morning cartoon? ;)
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Post by lisaann on Feb 16, 2015 11:03:08 GMT -5
Luffas need one heck of a big support system here. 2 seeds dang near SMOTHER you. Soak them 24 hours, plant them out in May, and stand back............. I started mine inside 3 weeks before set out here..Oh Boy! Only grew them 1 year. They clean easily if you let them dry till they rattle. You really don't have to go through all the hoop la you will read about by googling.
Hibiscus? Tea? What kind are you trying?
This is mine:
And I don't use it for tea, but I love to look at it! I must poke on Photobucket for luffa stuff. I have a luffa pic, lordy, hope I can show you the vine, but I think I don't have that pic anymore. They are MONSTERS! hahahah Trust me on that vine! It is wicked!
You will have to train it on that railing, but it can work on that railing, But they do LIKE to grow UP! Mine ended up on the deck roof till all was said and done.
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Post by SpringRain🕊️ on Feb 16, 2015 11:11:23 GMT -5
Besides needing a good support system, as they invasive as well?
How do you cure them for use as a sponge? Do you just let them dry on the vine?
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Post by pepperhead212 on Feb 16, 2015 11:59:26 GMT -5
Be forewarned - loofahs get squash vine borers, so if you are prone to them where you are (hopefully not!) they will get them.
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Post by ncgarden on Feb 17, 2015 8:24:44 GMT -5
After lisaann's warnings, it sounds like I will be grateful when the squash vine borers take them down (much the way I am grateful every year when they kill off the zucchini)!!
As a kid growing up in Florida, hibiscus grew everywhere. We would pluck the flowers carefully and suck the nectar out of the base of the bloom. Yeah, we were kids and we tried to eat everything!
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Post by brownrexx on Feb 17, 2015 8:30:13 GMT -5
Never sucked the nectar from hibiscus but as kids we did the same ting with honeysuckle. We spent a lot of time deciding if the yellow or the white flowers were sweeter.
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Post by lisaann on Feb 17, 2015 8:54:58 GMT -5
I always thought the yellow honeysuckle were sweeter.
I can't find a pic on Photobucket, but I have one of dad and me in front of it in a frame. Maybe I can download that?
Not invasive at all. They die at the end of the season and don't resprout from the base.
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Post by lisaann on Feb 17, 2015 9:23:37 GMT -5
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Post by lisaann on Feb 17, 2015 17:48:56 GMT -5
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Post by lisaann on Feb 18, 2015 9:45:29 GMT -5
My goodness that is a pretty picture! Are they your sister's pic? I love that picture!
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