How to get high yield from growing loofah in summer?

Luffa is not only a vegetable with high nutritional value, but also has certain medicinal effects. It is one of the popular vegetables in the south in summer, and the market demand is growing. So, how can we get high yields from growing loofah in summer?

1. Land preparation

Choose a plot of land with higher terrain, convenient drainage and irrigation, strong water and fertilizer retention capacity, and where cucurbit crops have not been planted in the past 1-2 years. The soil needs to be deeply plowed and combined with 2 tons of decomposed organic fertilizer per mu and 30 to 50 kilograms of compound fertilizer . Apply enough base fertilizer at one time and make ridges after leveling.

/2. Choose good varieties

Choose loofah varieties that are heat-resistant, disease-resistant, high-yielding and high-quality.

3. Reasonable planting

When the seedlings have 3 to 4 true leaves, they can be transplanted. Select strong seedlings, that is, seedlings with thick hypocotyls, short leaves and well-developed root systems, and transplant them in the sunny evening or on cloudy days. Water them thoroughly immediately after planting.

4. Field management

(1) Plant adjustment

When the vines grow to 30 to 40 cm, start hanging them. During the growth process, guide the vines in time and keep the stem height at about 1.5 meters. When the first male flower appears, remove all side vines; start leaving fruits from nodes 10 to 12, leaving 4 fruits each time. For subsequent side vines, keep one leaf after the fruits are formed and pinch off the top in time. In the later stage of growth, remove the old leaves at the bottom in time to ensure ventilation and light transmission and reduce diseases.

(2) Artificial pollination

Luffa has monoecious plants with different flowers, and the fruit-bearing rate can be increased through artificial pollination or the use of hormones. Artificial pollination is usually carried out around 8 am, or the flowers are dipped in 3000 times diluted anti-drop agent.

(3) Fertilizer and water management

Luffa grows vigorously and requires a lot of water and fertilizer. In addition to applying sufficient base fertilizer, top dressing and irrigation are also required. Especially during the flowering and fruiting period, irrigation needs to be strengthened to avoid fibrosis and quality deterioration. When planting in summer, control fertilization before flowering, and apply 75-150 kg/hectare of water-soluble fertilizer in combination with watering during flowering; after fruit setting, apply water-soluble fertilizer every 10 days; during the peak melon season, apply water-soluble fertilizer once after each melon is harvested and combined with watering. Watering in summer should be done before 8:00 am or after 17:00 pm.

(4) Pest and disease control

Common diseases of loofah in summer include anthracnose, bacterial angular leaf spot, downy mildew, blight, etc.; the main insect pests are aphids, melon fruit flies, thrips, etc. Adopt the strategy of "prevention first, integrated control", give priority to agricultural control, physical control and biological control, and carry out chemical control when necessary.

5. Harvest in time

Luffa grows rapidly and can be harvested about 10 days after flowering. The best harvesting period is when the fruit stalks are smooth, the skin is soft, and the melons are plump and slightly hard. Timely harvesting helps the upper part continue to produce melons and is a key measure to achieve high yields of loofah.

The above is an introduction to the key points of growing summer loofah. It is not difficult to grow summer loofah well. Mastering the method is the key. I hope it will be helpful to everyone.