10+Ridged Sponge Gourd Seeds Chinese Okra Angled Luffa Gourd Big Flesh Sigua USA The Angled luffa is also called Chinese okra or ridged gourd. This excellent open pollinated variety is cultivated for the tenderness and sweet flavor of its big flesh fruit. The vigorous plant has a heavy fruit set of ridged, flowered green skin, club-shaped fruits that are best harvested when young, about 10-12 inches long and 3-3.5 inches in diameter.First harvest is typically in 55 to 60 days. HOW TO GROW RIDGED LUFFA (LOOFAH) SPONGE GOURD 1. If you’re in a cooler zone, start your Luffa seeds early, indoors, 6 – 8 weeks before the last frost date. 2. Use new Luffa Seeds and soak them in water for 24 hours prior to planting. 3. Increase your success at germination by starting your seeds on a seed heat pad. Sow seeds and then place their pots on the warmth. 4. Transplant into biodegradable or paper pots once the first “true” set of leaves have formed. Using pots that decompose reduces the risk of transplant shock which Luffa plants are prone to. 5. For an even better chance of reducing transplant shock,grow in soil black instead of pots. 6. When the weather is right (warm soil and air) start hardening off your seedlings.This is more important than with most other plants because Luffa are so prone to transplant shock. 7. After a week or so of hardening off, plant your seedlings in an area that gets full sun. As much sun as possible.Anything less and you won’t get any Luffas. 8. Plant your seedlings at the base of a really strong structure that its vines can climb on and cling to.Chain link fence or something similar is perfect.