How to grow loofah to get high yield?

Luffa can not only be eaten as a vegetable , but also has medicinal value. It is a crop with high economic value. In our country, both in the south and the north, it is widely planted. However, during the planting process, some farmers may encounter problems with few loofah fruits and low yields. In order to improve the yield and quality of loofah, let’s learn how to grow loofah to achieve high yield.

1. Sow seeds at the right time

Luffa prefers mild temperature and strong light. The optimum temperature for seed germination is 25-35℃, and the suitable temperature for growth is 20-30℃. Therefore, it is not advisable to sow early blindly to avoid frost. During the period from Grain Rain to Beginning of Summer, the temperature is stable, which is a suitable period for sowing loofah outdoors.

2. Choose strong seedlings and plant them at a reasonable density

Choose deep, loose, organic-rich soil for planting loofah, and use high ridges to facilitate drainage. When sowing, place 3 to 4 seeds in each hole, and leave 1 to 2 healthy seedlings after germination. The spacing between plants should be kept at about 1 meter to prevent field congestion.

3. Watering Scientifically

The water requirement of loofah is less before it forms fruits, but it increases after it forms fruits. Watering should be controlled during the seedling stage to prevent excessive growth; after the fruits are formed, the soil needs to be kept moist to promote fruit growth.

4. Reasonable fertilization

Luffa likes fertilizer, and the base fertilizer is mainly decomposed farmyard manure and a small amount of compound fertilizer . During the seedling stage, you can apply diluted manure or urea, and during the flowering and podding stage, apply heavy topdressing and spray potassium dihydrogen phosphate foliar fertilizer to prevent premature aging and increase yield.

5. Pruning and vine guiding

During the growth of loofah, excess side vines should be cut off in time, and 2 to 3 strong side vines should be retained to save nutrients and promote more flowering and fruiting. At the same time, pay attention to topping and pinching to inhibit vegetative growth and promote reproductive growth. To prevent the loofah from bending, you can tie small stones on the young gourd to make it grow upright. Pick the fruits promptly after they are ripe to avoid affecting the quality.

In short, by sowing at the right time, planting in a reasonable sparse manner, scientifically managing water and fertilizer , and promptly pruning and guiding vines, you can easily grow high-yield, high-quality loofah.