The robust annual climbing plant Luffa Acutangula has long stems that scramble over the ground or climb onto neighbouring foliage while being supported by tendrils. It’s a common vegetable in Southeast Asia, and people enjoy it for its gently bitter flavour, slightly spongy texture, and sweet juiciness.
The plant, also known as Chinese okra and ridged gourd, is also used as a pesticide and for a number of traditional medicinal purposes. In tropical areas of the world, it is frequently planted for these uses and occasionally also grown as a decorative plant to produce a quick-growing screen.
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Chinese Okra: All you need to know
| Common Name | Chinese okra, ridged gourd |
| Native | South-east Asia |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Family | Cucurbitaceae |
| Plant type | Annual
Herbaceous Vine/climber |
| Sun | Direct sunlight |
| Uses | Culinary food |
Luffa Acutangula: How to grow Chinese Okra?
- Growing these plants is a rewarding project, but it is not for the faint of heart. Planting luffa gourds should be avoided unless you have the patience to wait because they are cold-sensitive.
- As soon as the ground is warm enough to work on and all threat of frost has passed, plant gourd seeds 8 to 12 inches apart along a fence in the spring. To promote germination, scrape the seed coat with a file or soak the seeds for at least 24 hours. Gardeners should not give up hope because it takes a long time for seeds to sprout.
- Plant one to three plants, spacing them 6 feet (2 metres) apart. Luffa plants prefer direct sunlight and organic soil. Mulch should be used away from the plant’s stem to retain soil moisture and protect it.
Luffa acutangula: Maintenance
- Luffa care is very similar to cucumber or melon care.
- For the greatest results, keep plants moist but not saturated and give them strong support.
- Remove all of the first flowers, any male flowers, and the first four lateral branches once the plants begin to grow. This will produce more fruit.
- Before the first frost, remove the luffa fruit from the vine.
- Pay attention to the washing and preparation instructions depending on how the fruit will be used.
See also: What is Okra and what are its benefits?
Luffa Acutangula: Is it possible to grow a luffa plant indoors?
Luffas are tender vines in the cucumber family that can be grown indoors or outside in a sheltered location. When young and green, their fruits are edible, but when they mature, they develop a fibrous structure.
Luffa acutangula: Edible Uses of Chinese Okra
Depending on the cultivar, the flavour can range from extremely bitter to sweet. The more bitter fruits are utilised in soups and curries or are cooked like vegetables, while the sweeter fruits can be eaten raw in salads. Southeast Asia particularly values the fruits’ sweet juiciness, moderately bitter flavour, and slightly spongy texture.
When the fruit is young, at around 10 cm long, it is preferable to harvest it and utilise it like courgettes. Fruits that are mature are dry, fibrous, bitter, and unpalatable.
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Luffa Acutangula: Medicinal uses of Rigged Gourd
- The seeds are purgative and emetic. To get rid of intestinal worms, one eats them.
- In herbal remedies for the treatment of sexual illnesses, particularly gonorrhoea, fruits and seeds are used.
- To eliminate the parasite, a leaf extract is administered to sores brought on by guinea worms.
- The leaf sap is used as an eyewash to treat conjunctivitis and is used for skin conditions, including dermatitis.
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FAQs
What are the hazards of Luffa acutangula?
Some varieties of this plant have a harsh taste that makes them fairly poisonous.
What is Luffa acutangula used for?
Colds can be treated and prevented by taking Luffa orally. Additionally, sinus issues and nasal oedema are treated with it. Some individuals take it to treat chest discomfort, muscle pain, and arthritis pain.