Sponge Gourd Light Green Seeds - 12 Seeds (Luffa/Gilki/गिलकी के बीज) Easy To grow, High Germination, High Yield Seeds for Home Gardening

🌱 Sponge Gourd (Luffa/Gilki) Growing Guide

Sponge Gourd Growing Season in India

Sponge Gourd can be grown year-round in India. The main growing seasons are:

• Summer: February – April
  
• Monsoon: June – July
  
• Post-monsoon/Autumn: September – October
  (Local climatic conditions may slightly affect the sowing time.)

How to Grow Sponge Gourd in Pots or Grow Bags

Sponge gourd (gilki) is a fast-growing vine that requires space and strong support to grow long and straight.

• Container size: Minimum 36–60 cm wide & deep pot or grow bag.
  
• Trellis support: Use pipes, bamboo, ropes, or wires for vertical growth.
  
• Seed germination temperature: 18–30°C.
  
• Sowing method: Direct sowing in pots or grow bags.
  
• Sowing depth: 1.5–2.5 cm deep.
  
• Seeds per container: Sow 2 seeds at the center.
  
• Watering: Water deeply after sowing and keep soil moist until germination (1–2 weeks).
  

Fertilization

• After 20–25 days of sowing, add homemade compost or vermicompost as side dressing to boost growth and flowering.
  

Care & Growing Tips

• Sunlight: Requires full sunlight for healthy growth.
  
• Watering: Daily in summer, every 2 days in winter; keep soil moist but not soggy.
  
• Soil: Well-drained loamy soil is best.
  
• Temperature: Ideal range is 20–32°C.
  
• Pest Control: Watch for leaf spots, cucumber beetles, and downy mildew. Spray organic neem oil as a preventive measure.
  

Flowering & Pollination

• Flowering time: Starts in 50–55 days from sowing.
  
• Male flowers: Appear first.
  
• Female flowers: Have a small fruit at the base.
  
• Pollination: Mostly done by bees/insects. In monsoon, hand pollination may be needed.
  

Harvesting

• Ready in 80–90 days from sowing.
  
• Harvest at the tender stage before the skin becomes thick for best taste.
  
• Can be harvested in summer, rainy, or winter seasons.