How to manage loofah planting to produce more loofahs?

Loofah, as a common vegetable on our table, can be found in the market almost all year round. However, the reason why loofah can thrive is not without reason. Behind it actually lies sophisticated agricultural technology and rich planting knowledge. So how should we manage loofah cultivation to produce more loofahs?

1. Causes of the phenomenon of loofah turning into melon

Luffa prefers high temperature and short daylight, but continuous high temperature, especially high temperature at night, will cause excessive growth of loofah vines, thus causing loofah rot.

During the fruit-bearing period, the loofah's demand for water and nutrients increases. If too much water and fertilizer, especially nitrogen fertilizer, is applied at one time, it will cause excessive growth of stems and leaves, breaking the balance between vegetative growth and reproductive growth, thereby inhibiting reproductive growth and reducing melon set.

Excessive watering will increase the air humidity, which is conducive to the occurrence of diseases, and this is also a factor that leads to melon rot.

If the trellis is not constructed properly or the vines are not thinned out in time, it will affect the permeability of the vines, be detrimental to the differentiation of female flowers, and reduce the number of fruits.

After the fruits are ripe, if the deformed fruits or the fruits that have fallen off the vines are not removed in time, the nutrient supply to the male flowers will be affected, resulting in fruit rot.

If the pollination conditions of loofahs grown in protected areas are not good, they are prone to rot.

2. Management measures to prevent and control loofah melon

Scientific water and fertilizer management: Rationally adjust the fertilization ratio, reduce the use of nitrogen fertilizer, and increase potassium fertilizer and organic fertilizer . Apply fully decomposed organic fertilizer and mix it with superphosphate or apply it deeply. After the fruit-setting period, water and fertilizer management combining promotion and control should be carried out according to the growth of the plants. Potassium dihydrogen phosphate or high-efficiency compound fertilizer should be used for foliar fertilization. At the same time, attention should be paid to controlling soil moisture to avoid excessive dryness or excessive wetness.

Proper vine pruning: remove overgrown branches, maintain the permeability of the vine, and promote the differentiation of female flowers. Pinch off the top and replace the head in time, and use side branches or vines to bear fruit. Thin out excessive male inflorescences to save nutrients.

Protect flowers and fruits: Carry out artificial pollination under adverse weather conditions, or release bumblebees to assist in pollination. Use fruit setting agent to increase the fruit setting rate.

Timely harvesting: Harvest the loofahs promptly after they are ripe, and remove deformed ones and those that have fallen off the vines to ensure that nutrients are concentrated on healthy fruits.

Use growth regulators: When the plant grows too vigorously, use appropriate amounts of growth regulators such as paclobutrazol, chlorobutrazol, etc. to inhibit the excessive growth of stems and leaves.

Pest and disease control: Maintain good field hygiene, remove diseased plants in time and apply slaked lime for sterilization. For common diseases and pests such as blight, downy mildew, powdery mildew, etc., choose appropriate pesticides for prevention and control.

In short, through the above measures, the phenomenon of loofah becoming a melon can be effectively reduced and the yield and quality of loofah can be improved. At the same time, the rational use of foliar fertilizers such as potassium dihydrogen phosphate and boron fertilizer can promote the healthy growth of loofah and make it produce more and better fruits.