Gourd Seeds - Dok - Hybrid
80-90 days to maturity. Luffa cylindrica ’Dok’. Dok Gourd Seeds. Non-GMO warm-season annual hybrid. This beautiful plant produces early maturing, vigorous fruits. It is high yielding, has lateral branches, and is disease tolerant. Green fruit grows to 1.25 x 11 inches and can weigh 1/2 pound. Luffa gourds love temperate and tropical weather; they thrive in long, warm growing seasons. The fruit is good for eating, or it can be left to mature into a shower loofa! Approx 265 seeds/oz.
Gourd Seeds - Dok - Hybrid
Download Free Vegetable Growing Guide PDF
Other Common Names: Luffa plant, edible luffa, or luffa gourd.
How to Grow Dok Gourd
Sow seeds in spring/early summer after the last frost in a warm, sunny location. The seed coat is hard and should be soaked in warm water for 24 hours, or gently clip the seed tip to help the seed germinate. Seedlings in zones 5 and 6 must be started indoors before the last frost, hardened off, and then transplanted outdoors. Seedlings in zone 7 and above should be direct sown.
The Dok Luffa Gourd does best with a frame or trellis to climb while growing. It can also grow in deep containers. Temperatures below 50℉ may cause damage to the plant. Luffa gourds produce best with good amounts of nitrogen. Incorporate additional nitrogen if necessary (with a fertilizer) or intercrop with a legume such as a soybean plant. Mulch around the base of the plant to lock in moisture. Prune the plant as it develops to have a single lateral vine. In circumstances of a long growing season, shed the first two or three blooms; this permits the plant to establish better before fruiting.
Harvesting Dok Gourd
For eating, harvest the gourds when they are a vibrant green, firm to the touch, and less than seven inches long. To get a shower loofah harvest, leave the gourds on the plant until they dry and turn brown. Then, remove the skin and discard or save the seeds.
Culinary Tips
Enjoy the young luffa gourd similar to squash or okra. Stew, sautee, or stir-fry the young, tender flesh with other vegetables and proteins for a nutritious dish.
Tips From Our Gardeners
“If you want to have both types of luffa harvests, leave the first few gourds on the plant to mature into loofas and remove the rest while young and tender for eating.”
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- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer |
"How To Germinate Hard Gourd Seeds"
Seeds Per Package
- 3 g packet - Approximately 15 Seeds
- 1 oz - Approximately 140 Seeds
- 4 oz - Approximately 560 Seeds
- 1 lb - Approximately 2,240 Seeds
- 5 lb - Approximately 11,200 Seeds
Basic Info
| Latin Name: | Luffa cylindrica ‘Dok’ |
| Dok Gourd Color: | Dark green fruit and foliage. |
| Dok Gourd Flavor: | Mild and lightly sweet. |
Growing Info
| Days to Maturity: | 80-90 Days |
| Days to Germination: | 7-14 Days |
| Seeding Depth: | 0.5 inches |
| Row Spacing: | 36-48 inches |
| Plant Height: | Vines up to 30 feet |
| Growth Habit: | Vining climber |
| Soil Preference: | Fertile soil with adequate drainage. 6.0-6.5 pH. |
| Temperature Preference: | 70-90℉ |
| Light Preference: | Full sun |
Other
| Plant Width: | 12-18 inches |
| Pests and Disease: | This variety of luffa is more pest and disease resistant than other varieties. Quickly remove any infected gourds or leaves from the growing area to evade spreading. |