Sponge gourd sowing and seedling raising method

Planting loofah requires meticulous management. From raising seedlings, promoting seedling growth to flowering and fruiting, the correct approach needs to be adopted in every link. If not managed properly, the loofah may become sick and the yield may decrease. Even if the grower is very motivated, he may not be able to enjoy the delicious taste of the loofah. Let’s learn about the method of sowing and raising seedlings of loofah.

1. Seed treatment and soaking

Before sowing loofah, in order to increase the germination rate of the seeds, the seeds should first be dried in the sun for two days. After drying, soak the seeds in warm water at 30°C for 12 to 15 hours. After soaking, gently rub the surface of the seeds with your hands, and then rinse them twice with clean water to remove the gum on the seed shell. For bitter gourds that have difficulty germinating, you can make a small hole in the navel of the seed to promote germination, but this operation is not necessary for loofah seeds .

2. Germination after soaking

After the seeds are soaked, if the temperature is low, they are not suitable for direct sowing and need to be germinated first. The germination method can be selected according to the actual situation. Use a wet towel, wet cloth or other container to keep the seeds moist, and control the temperature at around 25℃. During the germination period, sprinkle with clean water once in the morning and evening every day. Usually the seeds will turn white after 2 to 4 days, and then they can be sown.

3. Soil preparation before sowing

After the seeds turn white after germination, they are ready for sowing, but the soil must be prepared before that. The seedling soil can be made by mixing 7 parts of garden soil with 2 parts of fermented organic fertilizer , and then adding 1 part of wood ash or river sand. After mixing evenly, put it into the seedling tray or flower pot. Water the soil in the seedling tray thoroughly, but do not sow immediately after watering. Wait until the next day to prevent the soil from wilting and affecting germination and emergence.

4. Sowing at the right time

Once the soil and seeds are ready, sow the seeds. Place 1 to 2 seeds in each hole and cover with about 1.5 cm of fine soil. After sowing, cover with plastic film and support with wooden strips to prevent the film from sticking to the seedling tray. Place the seedling tray in an environment of 25 to 30℃, or put it in a small shed. Seedlings will generally emerge in 4 to 7 days.

5. Seedling Management

After the loofah seedlings emerge, remove the film in time to ventilate, keep the temperature above 20℃, keep the soil moist but avoid excessive watering. Ensure sufficient light and good ventilation every day, and transplanting can be carried out after about a month. It should be noted that about a week before transplanting, all films should be removed to allow the seedlings to adapt to the natural environment, so as to speed up the seedling recovery after transplanting and promote strong growth.

The above is an introduction to the sowing and seedling raising methods of loofah. In the actual operation process, everyone needs to consider the actual situation. As long as the sowing and seedling management work is done well in the early stage, there is hope to increase the yield in the later stage.