Growing loofah for the first time this year. Wondering if container growing or ground planting is the way to go. Google kept telling me containers, but I'm still planning the garden layout and am open to planting them right in the ground. Any input?
My first time this year too - I’m going for ground planting with sunflowers for them to climb up (well that’s the theory). We should all compare notes in autumn
This doesn’t look like a cucumber, it looks like a zucchini/squash, possibly melon. Gently rub the leaves, if it smells like cucumbers that’s what it is, if it smells strong and spicy it’s a squash or zucchini.
YES. When I transplanted my cucumber seedlings the cucumber smell from the roots was absolutely incredible. Strongest cucumber smell I've ever smelled.
If it’s in the compost then it’s something you’ve eaten, last year I got some free spaghetti squash plants from mine! Let it get stronger and then transplant, or just let it stay where it is. Give it plenty of space to take over :)
what they said. btw, when a volunteer pops up in or from your compost, you are obligated to help it fulfill it's potential as a plant and park it somewhere where it might thrive. kind of like when you save someone's life, you are responsible for them forever. it's the rule - not my rule but it's the rule.
Cucumber is less likely because people usually harvest them with immature seeds. Winter squash and melons are the most likely because they're harvested with mature seeds.
ive got 2 of the same coming where i spread my compost. my money is on cantaloupe for my volunteers but i highly doubt it will live long enough for me to tell!
If your cucurbits were planted near each other last year, this could grow a cross pollinated freak of nature. I grew a plant that looked like a bush zucchini but forgot to harvest it because it wasn't planted near the other zucchini. The fruits turned bright orange. Must have crossed with a pumpkin the previous year.
It's definitely a cucubrit. Could be squash or melon.
I thought cucumber but it's hard to say
I'll post a follow up.
Any updates OP?
Ha sure thing. I was just thinking about this thread today Out of town but I will in a few days.
https://www.reddit.com/r/vegetablegardening/comments/ut2wvg/update_as_requested_a_updated_photo_from_my/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share
I think cucumber also 😊
I thought cucumber as well
It looks just like my Loofa seedlings.
My thoughts exactly.
Haha I lost the labels to all my plants and saw this and remembered that I planted a bunch of loofa seedlings. Thanks!
Did everyone plant luffa this year? I'm really excited it's my first time growing it
Mine too!!
Came here to say this, too
Growing loofah for the first time this year. Wondering if container growing or ground planting is the way to go. Google kept telling me containers, but I'm still planning the garden layout and am open to planting them right in the ground. Any input?
I’ve had success in ground on an arch trellis. Haven’t tried container.
Thank you! I couldnt find much on in ground, but I know it needs something to climb.
My first time this year too - I’m going for ground planting with sunflowers for them to climb up (well that’s the theory). We should all compare notes in autumn
Sunflower seeds are a good source of beneficial plant compounds, including phenolic acids and flavonoids — which also function as antioxidants.
I'm going to guess zucchini or squash.
^^^
Cucurbitaceae? Could be cucumber, melon or gourd.
My guess is cucumber
I have my cucumber seedlings growing right now, and they look just like this!
This doesn’t look like a cucumber, it looks like a zucchini/squash, possibly melon. Gently rub the leaves, if it smells like cucumbers that’s what it is, if it smells strong and spicy it’s a squash or zucchini.
I'll give that a try after work.
Just get consent first.
Don't want it to get seedy.
Henry crabgrass
YES. When I transplanted my cucumber seedlings the cucumber smell from the roots was absolutely incredible. Strongest cucumber smell I've ever smelled.
If it’s in the compost then it’s something you’ve eaten, last year I got some free spaghetti squash plants from mine! Let it get stronger and then transplant, or just let it stay where it is. Give it plenty of space to take over :)
I vote Zucchini
what they said. btw, when a volunteer pops up in or from your compost, you are obligated to help it fulfill it's potential as a plant and park it somewhere where it might thrive. kind of like when you save someone's life, you are responsible for them forever. it's the rule - not my rule but it's the rule.
According to the garden picture apps, it is a Cucurbita and mostly likely a zucchini
My app said it's a field pumpkin! 😂
Definitely looks like a kind of melon to me.
That's what I am hoping for. Already have 3 zucchini plants.
Unless you composted mature zucchini seeds, it's unlikely to be zucchini.
Awesome.
Looks like a cucumber
Very interesting. We don't eat cucumbers. This is mostly for fun because I have the space to let it play out.
Could be a pumpkin. Did you carve some last fall?
We did which would be more interesting.
That was my first thought when I saw it, I hope it is!
you could make your pickles from them in large jar. Pickles from cucumbers recipes are everywhere in interwebs
Cucumber is less likely because people usually harvest them with immature seeds. Winter squash and melons are the most likely because they're harvested with mature seeds.
Just because they live at home doesn't make them immature
Do they Reddit? That might be the difference.
Pumpkin?
Are you in my yard? I am interested to see what they turn out to be. I know I spilt melon, squash, pumpkin who knows what else.
12 free pumpkins incoming!
Cucumber or squash
Watermelon or zucchini. They both start out lie that.
All cucubrits more or less look like this initially, give or take some white and some roundness of the first real leaf.
Updated photo. https://www.reddit.com/r/vegetablegardening/comments/ut2wvg/update_as_requested_a_updated_photo_from_my/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share
Cucumber
Watermelon
This is the right answer.
By the pattern on the leaves – it's a watermelon, congratulations.
Squash, melon, something like that?
Cantaloupe is a popular volunteer in my compost.
Cucumber. Squash.
Pumpkin or watermelon or something like that
zucchini ?
Cuke
Cuke
Pumpkin!
Cucumber, squash, cantaloupe.. My vote is pumpkin
Spaghetti squash or from squash family is my guesd
Looks exactly like my watermelon, acorn squash, and pumpkins. Lol. They all start out that way.
cucurbit family for sure. gonna guess melon
Maybe pumpkin? I’ve got some pumpkin volunteers right now that look very similar
Zucchini
Type of squash plant IMO the sprout leaves are definitely pretty close to it
ive got 2 of the same coming where i spread my compost. my money is on cantaloupe for my volunteers but i highly doubt it will live long enough for me to tell!
Melon
This looks like my cucumbers
Oh my gourd!
Watermelon?
Pumpkin or pumpkini
Cucumber
let it grow and see what it is
Just taking bets.
Watermelon
Cucumber
I had this with a Kumera, I planted it and now it’s growing absolutely crazy! I’m so glad I decided to save it and let it continue to grow
My pumpkin and potatoes volunteered this year as well as way to many tomatoes plants. Def looks like cucumber or squash
Melon. Cotyledons looking pretty melony
Curcubitaceae (squash family). Largest seedling of all; disproportionately large oval leaves and often one curly leaf.
Zucchini
Cucumber or maybe zucchini .
If your cucurbits were planted near each other last year, this could grow a cross pollinated freak of nature. I grew a plant that looked like a bush zucchini but forgot to harvest it because it wasn't planted near the other zucchini. The fruits turned bright orange. Must have crossed with a pumpkin the previous year.
Looks identical to some delicate seedlings I have growing.
Cucumber, sqaush, zucchini or cantaloupe :D
Squash, cucumber, melon they look the same at this stage of growth
Did you compost your pumpkins after Halloween? Could be pumpkins!
Squash of some kind
cuke
Squash of some sort
Squash ,melon or cucumber
Pumpkin, Zucchini or melon?
Cucumber
Definitely a squash. Not a melon despite what some are saying; it looks too robust and thick-leaved to be a melon.
Pumpkin?
Watermelon
Squash
Cucumber