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The most likely cause is a lack of pollination. Bees and other pollinating insects are needed to produce a good crop. Even with an abundance of insects only a fraction of the flowers will pollinate. Bees are diverse and abundant here in the southern Appalachians, yet we only have about a 20 to 30% rate of succesful flower pollination. Bees are having survival issues in some parts of the world. Insecticides used near the vines will reduce the pollinating insects.

Hand pollination is an option. Gently rub the yellow hair-like structures around the inside base of one flower against the middle parts of another flower.

Seed germination is equally dependent on moisture and temperature. If the seeds are moist but not sprouting then it may be too cold. The soil needs to be warm, near 70 degrees F (21 C) or warmer. If the seeds have been stored in a hot dry place, they may become hard. Hard seeds will take longer to sprout and may not germinate at all. To speed up germination of any seeds, wrap them in a wet towel in a warm place for a day or two before planting. You want just enough water to keep the seeds moist and humid, but still allow air in.

Even under ideal conditions some stubborn luffa seeds may take a long time to germinate. Over three weeks is not unusual. Normally it takes about a week, sometimes less. One batch of seeds we tested took 24 days to germinate.

Too much water or cold can wipe out a healthy luffa plant. The full grown vines are fairly tough and resilient. The smaller plants are not. The roots won't survive muddy water saturated soil. A drop in temperature will stop growth of luffa. A large vine may survive and grow if it warms up again but a seedling can die. Frost is fatal to all luffa vines. A cloth cover can save a vine from a light frost, but not a hard freeze. The small plants are easily wiped out by pests like slugs. Weeds will overpower the seedlings until they start to vine. Animals like deer have been known to eat luffa. Salt or sodium in the soil or water will have a negative effect on the plants.

How do I know when it is time to pick luffa?

If being grown for food, the fruits can be picked until they start to grow fiber. The skin thickens and becomes tougher then. The flowers are sometimes eaten also. If luffa is very bitter it may not be good to eat.

If being grown for a fibrous loofah sponge, the seed pods must be allowed to mature on the vine. When the cellulose fiber of the loofah finishes developing, the skin loosens and often turns brown. Loss of weight is a good indicator the sponge is ready as it loses water. If the skin is a papery dry brown, the loofah is probably beyond ready. It's often better to pick them earlier, as soon as the skin feels like it will come off. The fibers tend to get darker and develop more dark spots the longer they hang past maturity.

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