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Welcome to the luffa.info loofah sponge harvest page! Here are photos with step by step descriptions of luffa sponge gourds from the home garden being picked, peeled, and cleaned for use. When to pick your loofah is the big question. The luffa seed pods can hang on the vine until they are crisp and dry. They will be easy to peel then as the skin is brittle and falls off easily. It is easier to peel them when they are more dry. However, the loofahs tend to get darker the longer they hang. If it rains much it is also likely to develop rot or dark spots. For the fiber to be fully developed, you don't want to pick it too soon either. Once the green color has started leaving and the weight has decreased, the fiber has mostly stopped growing. Feel and lift to see the difference. Anytime after that, they can be picked and peeled. If they have been hit by frost, they have quit developing and should be peeled soon. |
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| The first step is to select a loofah that is ready to be peeled. Luffa lose the green color and become lighter in weight when ready. Some varieties go from green to dark brown. Some types turn a yellow or brown color. The skin feels loose and thinner when they are ready to pick. |   |
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| The sponges can be removed by twisting until the vine breaks. If the vine is still alive it may be desirable to neatly cut the sponges off in order to minimize damage to the vine. |  |
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| Slamming the luffa against a hard surface will loosen the skin and knock the seeds loose. Slightly crushing the sponges under a board or other weight can also loosen the skin. |  |
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| The bottom tip of the sponge is easily knocked off. Many of the seeds can be shaken out before peeling. Seeds should be spread out to dry before storing. Store in a cool dry place. Refrigerate or freeze in airtight containers for multi year storage. |  |
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| Use your thumbs to find a loose spot along a seam. Push in to create a tear and pull apart the skin. |  |
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| Peel the skin back off one end, usually the top,and pull off the other end. Do whatever works best for you. After peeling a few sponges you'll get a feel for the best method. |  |
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| Applying a thorough high pressure water spray removes most of the sap color. It washes out many seeds also. |  |
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| The final result is a loofah sponge drying in the sun. Squeeze and shake out excess water. Allow to dry, rotating as need. Store unused sponges where dust won't settle on them. |  |
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