Wax gourd (Benincasa hispida)
50 SEK
Unit price perEstimated delivery between 27 April and 04 May.
SEEDS (15pcs/bag)
Common name: Loofah, Cucumber, Cucumber, Bath Cucumber
Scientific name: Luffa aegyptiaca
Family: Cucurbitaceae
Plant history & use:
Wax gourd is a species in the genus Benincasa (the only one) in the family of cucumber plants (Curcurbitaceae). Biologically, therefore, not a pumpkin belonging to the genus of pumpkins (Curcubita), nor a melon (read more > Melons). However, they are closely related to each other belonging to the same family. It is called winter melon in the same way as winter pumpkins because it is harvested late when it has grown (read more > Pumpkins). The species has its origin in South and Southeast Asia and is cultivated in warm and humid climates generally throughout Asia. There are different varieties. See the film, click on "New Sokhom" under the image above.
The fruit : It is a large green, long, narrow fruit that can grow to 80 centimeters long. The fruit is covered with fine hairs that fall off when ripe, giving the fruit a waxy coating. The coating gives the fruit a long shelf life, up to a year. The flesh is white with a slightly sweet taste.
HOW TO USE A WAX PUMP
Wax gourd is eaten as a vegetable similar to squash. It is one of the few vegetables available in winter. Used in soups, stews, stir-fries, chutney, fruit drink or candied as a snack. In China as a filling in New Year and moon cakes. In India known for its medicinal properties and used in spiritual contexts.
Cultivated and used since the 4th century in the Roman Empire. Young fruits were eaten, ripe fruits were used as bath sponges. Luffa sponge was the most widely used sponge in the United States until WWII.
The young, green fruit is eaten as a vegetable, similar to a common cucumber. Quite early in the fruit's life, it begins to develop a distinctive fibrous structure on the inside. On a fully ripe fruit, the skin easily peels away from the fibrous inside, resulting in a near-perfect sponge that can be used in the same way as our regular household sponges - on the counter, in the bathroom or as a cleaning sponge.
One advantage of using a luffa sponge is that it stays fresh significantly longer than a "regular" synthetic sponge.
If you cut the loofah sponge along the long side so that you can turn the sponge inside out, you can use the more textured inside as a stronger scrub and the smoother outside as a softer scrub.
Edible younger shoots, leaves and flowers - a common way is to "stir-fry" leaves and shoots in a little soy sauce, etc. Asian sauces. Seeds left over after harvesting mature luffa can be roasted and eaten like pumpkin seeds.
The fibers that run along the long side of the fruit's edges are durable and can be used as strings for tying up other plants, for example.
Culture:
Cucumbers prefer a sunny location with good water supply. They grow best in locations with sunlight all day. If you have a greenhouse, this is a perfect place for cucumbers.
Grows best in humus-rich, well-drained and nutrient-rich soil. Regular nutrient supply is preferred.
Provide plenty of climbing space for optimal growth.
At first the fruit is firm in shape and green in colour. It is when the fruit is around 10 cm that the fruit is edible. Shortly after that A fibrous structure begins to form inside the peel, making the fruit unsuitable for edible purposes.
When the fruit becomes lighter and the skin starts to feel looser against the inside and the color turns yellow to brownish, the fruit is ready to harvest. It is best to harvest the fruits before they turn completely brown and the skin becomes completely dry, otherwise it can be difficult to peel the fruits without damaging the inside.
Pinch the fruits off the vine and let them dry for another day before soaking them for a couple of hours to make it easier to remove the skin. Do not soak for longer than 1 day as bacterial growth may occur. Remove seeds by opening the bottom of the fruit and shaking them out. Peel. Rinse the loofah sponge with water to remove loose plant debris. Lay out to dry again - outside in the sun protected from rain works great.
If you still want to leave the fruits on the plant until they are completely brown and dry, it is easiest to remove the peel with a regular kitchen knife after soaking.
If the risk of frost is approaching and your fruit still doesn't look ready, it is still recommended to harvest early, as repeated exposure to frost damages the foliage and the fruit can rot. Pinch off the fruit and hang it indoors with the skin on to dry. When you see the skin going from firm to loose (slightly shriveled appearance) and the color changing to brownish, it is time to open the skin.
The flowers are bright yellow.
Fruits can grow to 75 cm in favorable conditions.
Sowing:
The mushroom cucumber needs some time to develop mature (strongly) fibrous fruits. Therefore, it is advisable to start them indoors in February/March. When the risk of frost is over, the plants can be planted/exhibited.
Soak seeds 1 day in advance. Sow seeds in seeding soil, cover with a thin layer of soil. Keep the seeds moist. To more easily maintain good moisture, the seeds can be covered with plastic film with air holes.
Features:
Year: One year
Growing position: sun
Height: 2 m
Germination time: 5-20 days
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Wax gourd (Benincasa hispida)
50 SEK
Unit price perExpected delivery date: 27 April to 04 May.
Applies to orders within Sweden. For other countries - see our delivery terms .
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SEEDS (15pcs/bag)
Common name: Loofah, Cucumber, Cucumber, Bath Cucumber
Scientific name: Luffa aegyptiaca
Family: Cucurbitaceae
Plant history & use:
Wax gourd is a species in the genus Benincasa (the only one) in the family of cucumber plants (Curcurbitaceae). Biologically, therefore, not a pumpkin belonging to the genus of pumpkins (Curcubita), nor a melon (read more > Melons). However, they are closely related to each other belonging to the same family. It is called winter melon in the same way as winter pumpkins because it is harvested late when it has grown (read more > Pumpkins). The species has its origin in South and Southeast Asia and is cultivated in warm and humid climates generally throughout Asia. There are different varieties. See the film, click on "New Sokhom" under the image above.
The fruit : It is a large green, long, narrow fruit that can grow to 80 centimeters long. The fruit is covered with fine hairs that fall off when ripe, giving the fruit a waxy coating. The coating gives the fruit a long shelf life, up to a year. The flesh is white with a slightly sweet taste.
HOW TO USE A WAX PUMP
Wax gourd is eaten as a vegetable similar to squash. It is one of the few vegetables available in winter. Used in soups, stews, stir-fries, chutney, fruit drink or candied as a snack. In China as a filling in New Year and moon cakes. In India known for its medicinal properties and used in spiritual contexts.
Cultivated and used since the 4th century in the Roman Empire. Young fruits were eaten, ripe fruits were used as bath sponges. Luffa sponge was the most widely used sponge in the United States until WWII.
The young, green fruit is eaten as a vegetable, similar to a common cucumber. Quite early in the fruit's life, it begins to develop a distinctive fibrous structure on the inside. On a fully ripe fruit, the skin easily peels away from the fibrous inside, resulting in a near-perfect sponge that can be used in the same way as our regular household sponges - on the counter, in the bathroom or as a cleaning sponge.
One advantage of using a luffa sponge is that it stays fresh significantly longer than a "regular" synthetic sponge.
If you cut the loofah sponge along the long side so that you can turn the sponge inside out, you can use the more textured inside as a stronger scrub and the smoother outside as a softer scrub.
Edible younger shoots, leaves and flowers - a common way is to "stir-fry" leaves and shoots in a little soy sauce, etc. Asian sauces. Seeds left over after harvesting mature luffa can be roasted and eaten like pumpkin seeds.
The fibers that run along the long side of the fruit's edges are durable and can be used as strings for tying up other plants, for example.
Culture:
Cucumbers prefer a sunny location with good water supply. They grow best in locations with sunlight all day. If you have a greenhouse, this is a perfect place for cucumbers.
Grows best in humus-rich, well-drained and nutrient-rich soil. Regular nutrient supply is preferred.
Provide plenty of climbing space for optimal growth.
At first the fruit is firm in shape and green in colour. It is when the fruit is around 10 cm that the fruit is edible. Shortly after that A fibrous structure begins to form inside the peel, making the fruit unsuitable for edible purposes.
When the fruit becomes lighter and the skin starts to feel looser against the inside and the color turns yellow to brownish, the fruit is ready to harvest. It is best to harvest the fruits before they turn completely brown and the skin becomes completely dry, otherwise it can be difficult to peel the fruits without damaging the inside.
Pinch the fruits off the vine and let them dry for another day before soaking them for a couple of hours to make it easier to remove the skin. Do not soak for longer than 1 day as bacterial growth may occur. Remove seeds by opening the bottom of the fruit and shaking them out. Peel. Rinse the loofah sponge with water to remove loose plant debris. Lay out to dry again - outside in the sun protected from rain works great.
If you still want to leave the fruits on the plant until they are completely brown and dry, it is easiest to remove the peel with a regular kitchen knife after soaking.
If the risk of frost is approaching and your fruit still doesn't look ready, it is still recommended to harvest early, as repeated exposure to frost damages the foliage and the fruit can rot. Pinch off the fruit and hang it indoors with the skin on to dry. When you see the skin going from firm to loose (slightly shriveled appearance) and the color changing to brownish, it is time to open the skin.
The flowers are bright yellow.
Fruits can grow to 75 cm in favorable conditions.
Sowing:
The mushroom cucumber needs some time to develop mature (strongly) fibrous fruits. Therefore, it is advisable to start them indoors in February/March. When the risk of frost is over, the plants can be planted/exhibited.
Soak seeds 1 day in advance. Sow seeds in seeding soil, cover with a thin layer of soil. Keep the seeds moist. To more easily maintain good moisture, the seeds can be covered with plastic film with air holes.
Features:
Year: One year
Growing position: sun
Height: 2 m
Germination time: 5-20 days
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