GOURD-LUFFA ANGLED-SIN QUA
GOURD-LUFFA ANGLED-SIN QUA
A$3.50
Availability: 114 in stock
Seeds Per Pack: 10
Lagenaria siceraria
GOURD-LUFFA ANGLED-SIN QUA is a running annual vine with rounded leaves & yellow flowers, also called Chinese okra or ridged gourd. The plant has both male & female flowers. The rather large male flowers are bright yellow & occur in clusters. The female flowers are solitary & have the tiny slender ovary attached. The vigorous plant has a heavy fruit set of ridged, dark green, club-shaped fruits that are about 45cm long, 5cm in diametre. The leaves are covered with short hairs & the fruits are ribbed and cylindrical shaped. The young fruit can be used as a cooked vegetable or grown for the fibrous interior.
Soak seed in warm water for 2 hours before sowing. Germinate singly in pots, at 20-30°C on the surface of a good free draining, damp seed compost. Apply a sprinkling of compost or vermiculite, 6mm thick. Seal container inside a polythene bag until after germination. Do not exclude light at any stage as this is beneficial to germination.
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How to Grow Luffa Angled (Sin Qua)
- Luffa Angled prefers full sun and well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. The soil pH should be between 6.0 and 7.5.
- Plant the seeds directly into the garden after the last frost. Sow the seeds to a depth of 2.5cm (1 inch) and space them 60cm (24 inches) apart. Keep the soil consistently moist until the seeds germinate, which typically takes 7-14 days. Or propagate in a pot following the info above.
- Support the plants as Luffa Angled grows as a vine and will need support as it grows. You can use a trellis or other support system to keep the plants off the ground.
- Sin Qua Luffa prefers consistently moist soil. Water the plants deeply once or twice a week, depending on the weather. Avoid over watering the plants, as this can lead to root rot.
- Fertilise the plants as Luffa Angled benefits from regular fertilisation. Use a balanced fertiliser every four to six weeks to promote healthy growth.
- Harvest the fruit when it is young and tender, typically when it is 10-15cm (4-6 inches) long. If you wait too long to harvest, the fruit will become tough and inedible.
- Dry the fruit completely on the vine before removing. Once dry, peel the outer skin to reveal the fibrous interior and use as a natural body scrubber or sponge.
Heritage of Luffa Sin Qua (Angled Luffa)
Luffa Sin Qua Gourd (Angled Luffa), also known as Chinese okra or ridged luffa, is a tropical vine that is native to Asia. It is a member of the Cucurbitaceae family and is related to other gourds such as pumpkins, melons, and cucumbers. The plant produces long, cylindrical fruits with ridges on the surface. The young fruit is edible and used in stir-fries, soups, and salads. People use mature fruits of Luffa Sin Qua Gourd as sponges for cleaning or as natural body loofahs. Luffa Sin Qua Gourd has a long history of cultivation in Asia, where it has been utilised for food, fibre and medicine for thousands of years. Nowadays, it is grown and used worldwide, gaining popularity as a distinctive and versatile vegetable.
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Category Colour Guide
Planting Guide for Australia
Scoville Heat Units (SHU)
Plant Height
150 - 300
Season of Interest
Summer / Autumn
Temperature Range
20 - 30
Determine / Indeterminate
Annual / Perennial / Biennial
Annual
Frost Hardy / Tender
Tender
Full Sun / Part Sun / Shade
Full Sun
Sow Direct / Raise Seedlings
sow direct after last frost / Raise seedlings indoors 3-4 weeks before the last frost
Soil
Well-draining sandy loam soil rich in organic matter
pH
6.0 - 6.8
Soil Temperature
18 - 24
Seed Preparation
Soak seeds in warm water for 24 hours before planting
Sowing Depth
2.0 - 3.0
Plant Spacing
45 - 60
Row spacing
120 - 150
Watering
Regular watering to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged
Germination Time (Days)
5 - 10
Harvest Time (Days)
70 - 90
Good Companion Plants
Beans, Corn, Radish, Carrots, Cucumbers, Marigolds, Nasturtiums
Bad Companion Plants
Potatoes, Tomatoes, Fennel, Dill
Pests
Aphids, Whiteflies, Spider Mites, Fruit Flies, Cucumber Beetles, Thrip, Fruit Borers, Leafhopper
Diseases
Powdery mildew, Downy mildew, Anthracnose, Fusarium wilt
More About Us
When I started this journey in 2009, I found nothing existed commercially, that was reasonably priced and easy to use. There was a homemade system which I also found was not that user-friendly.
Then a friend of mine told me about a homemade method she used. However, when I tried her method, I found this also didn’t suit my needs, as it too had flaws that I considered where important. It did not keep vermin out, did not have a lockable lid and (to me) looked unsightly in the garden
