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Ridge gourd is called turai in Hindi, Pirkankai in Tamil and Peechinga in Malayalam. It is a subtropical vine in the pumpkin and gourd family. It looks somewhat similar to a cucumber with ridges. This is native to South Asia but is grown now, in many parts of the world.

This is cultivated and used as a vegetable in South Asia. For using as a vegetable, it has to be harvested at a stage when it is still tender. Once it matures, it becomes very fibrous and cannot be eaten. The fully developed fruit is used as a scrubbing sponge. In many parts of the world, this vegetable is called loofa.

They produce yellow flowers. The leaves are similar to a maple leaf, dark green and smaller in size. The size of the fruit can be upto 2 feet lengthwise. They have ribs running lengthwise and indentation between ribs.

This is best grown on a trellis since that ensures that the fruit is straight and free from blemishes. The skeleton of the Loofa is net-like and it retains water like a sponge. This makes it the ideal cleaning material for dishes, jars etc.

History

Some archaeologists state the the gourd originated in the New World. There is evidence to suggest that some early inhabitants of Africa were using bottle gourd.

Uses

1. Food: The tender vegetable is used for making different dishes in Tamil Nadu such as pirkangai kootu, poriyal and tuvaiyal. Even the skin is used to make chutney. It is either fried or cooked with lentils in Kerala. It can be eaten raw or pickled. Some people use the shoots and flowers also as food.
2. In rural Kerala, this is grown on fences and the mature fruit’s sponge is used as a natural scrub. Across the world, this plant is allowed to mature and is used as a bath or kitchen sponge and very often as a body scrub while showering.
3. In Paraguary, loofa is combined with other vegetable matter and recycled plastic to make panels, furniture and even construct houses.
4. In some parts of the world, it is carved into masks and in some places, women wear decorated hats carved from the gourd. In Greece, it is used to store drinks and as ladles, ornaments etc. Some gourds may be used to be tied around the waist of children as floaties to help them swim.
5. It is said that when it is used as a body sponge, it is good for dry skin/peeling skin. It gently massages and improves circulation.
6. It is also used as a pillow stuffing and made into bags, shoes and dolls.
7. The US Army used them as oil filters.

Propagation

The procedure for propagating this plant is given below:

1. It requires plenty of sun and a well drained fertile soil. We can grow it in red soil.
2. Root system typically permeates upto 2 feet. Use a pot which is at least 20 inches deep and wide
3. Soak the seeds overnight. Once it swells up, you can put it in the soil.
4. The soil must be kept moist until the sapling appears.
5. The first sight of a sapling can be within a week of planting but it depends on how hot the climate is. In hot and humid conditions, it sprouts and puts out leaves very fast.
6. They can take between 120-150 days for full maturity. Again this varies depending on the conditions.
7. Keep a trellis ready. The trellis should be placed around 30 cm above the ground.
8. Water the plant regularly. If the leaves are drooping, it is time to water the plant.
9. Each vine can produce upto 20 fruit – size is variable from 1 -2 feet in length.
10. If you want to use it as a vegetable, cut it when it is tender and use it.
11. If you want it as a sponge, wait till the stem completely dries up and the fruit turns brown.
12. Open the stem end like a cap.
13. Tap the fruit to loosen the seeds inside.
14. Shake it gently and get the seeds out.
15. Soak the gourd for at least 2 hours. Depending on the variety, you may need to soak for a longer time.
16. Soak it in such a way that it stays submerged or put a weight on top. The stem end must be completely submerged.
17. Once it is soaked well, the peel will come off easily. If it is not coming off easily like banana peel, soak it some more.
18. There is a slimy substance under the peel which needs to be washed off and the fibrous netting must be hung out to dry.
19. Once dry, remove the rest of the seeds by shaking it. Use a piece of wire, if it is stuck.
20. The natural colour is light tan and is good for the skin.

Pests, and fungus can attack the plants when they are young. Depending on the types of the attack, address the issue immediately.

Source: Gourd Growers Handbook For Beginners ans Advanced Gourd Growers.