Planting methods and management techniques of loofah

Luffa is known for its juicy, sweet, tender and refreshing taste. It is also rich in vitamins and cellulose. Luffa is relatively simple to grow and easy to manage. Loofah is very popular in the market and has a large demand, bringing good economic benefits to farmers. Let’s learn about the planting methods and management techniques of loofah.

1. Planting time

Spring sowing is usually done in March to take advantage of warm spring weather. Autumn sowing is carried out in June and July, before autumn, which is suitable for the climatic conditions in most areas. Cold areas need to wait until after Qingming Festival to ensure that the temperature is suitable. In early spring, seedlings can be raised first and then transplanted, and direct seeding can be carried out when the temperature stabilizes above 15℃.

2. Seed treatment

Use about 2,000 seeds per acre, and double the amount when direct seeding. Dry the seeds for 2 days before sowing to increase the germination rate. Place the seeds in 50℃ warm water, add potassium permanganate to disinfect for 30 minutes, and then rinse them clean. Then soak the seeds in 30℃ warm water for 12 hours, and prepare for sowing after the seeds have absorbed enough water.

3. Seeding and Seedling Raising

Dig holes and sow seeds directly in the prepared ground, 2 seeds in each hole. Thin out the seedlings after they emerge, leaving only one strong seedling. Choose a sunny and ventilated plot of about 20 square meters and make sure the soil is free of pathogens. Apply 100 kilograms of decomposed farmyard manure, 1 kilogram of quicklime powder, and 10 kilograms of wood ash, and turn the soil and level it. Use the spot sowing method to sow seeds, with the seeds spaced 10 cm apart and at a sowing depth of 1.5 cm. After sowing, water lightly and cover with film to keep warm and moist. When the temperature in early spring is below 15℃, ensure that the film is compacted; when the temperature is above 25℃, ventilate in time. Pay attention to water control during seedling cultivation to keep the soil slightly moist. The seedlings are about 30 days old.

4. Fine Land Preparation

Choose land that has not been planted with melon crops in the past two years to reduce the risk of soil-borne diseases. One month in advance, turn the soil at least 20 cm deep and dry it in the sun, using ultraviolet rays from the sun to disinfect it and reduce pathogens while increasing the looseness and fertility of the soil. The second land preparation is carried out one week before planting, and 4,000 kilograms of decomposed organic fertilizer, 60 kilograms of cake fertilizer, and 50 kilograms of superphosphate are applied per mu to provide the nutrients needed for plant growth. Spread the fertilizer evenly into the soil, use agricultural machinery to turn the soil and mix it evenly, then organize it into flat beds, set up ridges with a width of 1.5 meters, ditches with a width of 0.5 meters and a depth of 0.25 meters for easy management and drainage.

5. Transplanting and Planting

When the loofah seedlings grow to 15-20 cm high, they can be transplanted and planted. When planting in spring, ensure that the temperature is stable above 18°C ​​to facilitate plant survival. On a 1.5-meter-wide plot, a row is planted on each side, with a plant spacing of 40 centimeters and a row spacing of 1.1 meters. Approximately 1,800 trees are planted per acre. When digging up the seedlings, bring along the soil ball and handle them with care to avoid damaging the root system. After planting, water thoroughly to allow the roots to take root. Be careful not to use too much water, so that the soil can penetrate.

6. Field Management

①Build a shed and guide the vines

When the loofah seedlings grow to 50 cm, build a trellis to guide the growth of the vines. Use bamboo to build a triangular trellis with a height of not less than 1.5 meters. It is best to guide the vines after 5 pm, and at the same time carry out tillage, loosening the soil and weeding 2-3 times, combined with fertilizer and water management.

② Fertilizer and water management

The seedlings require less water after planting, and irrigation should be carried out in time according to soil moisture. It rains a lot in spring, so pay attention to drainage and avoid waterlogging. Topdress 2-3 times, with base fertilizer accounting for 60% of the growth period. If base fertilizer is not applied, topdress 20 pounds of nitrogen fertilizer and urea after the seedling stage is stable, and use animal manure water more often. During the flowering period, apply 40 kilograms of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium compound fertilizer and 1000 kilograms of decomposed farmyard manure and water, and spray 0.4% potassium dihydrogen phosphate foliar fertilizer before flowering, once a week for two consecutive times.

③ Pruning

During the management period, it is necessary to prune and thin the leaves, cut off the side branches below 80 cm, pinch and top the branches at 3 meters, and promote the growth of side vines and grand vines. In the later stage, cut off the vines that only bloom but do not bear fruit, and remove old, diseased and yellow leaves in time to ensure ventilation and light transmission.

④Prevent diseases and insect pests

Luffa has strong disease resistance and can be prevented through good field management. If necessary, use 75% thiophanate-methyl or 50% carbendazim powder. For insect pests, use crystalline dichlorvos or imidacloprid once a week for 2 consecutive times.

7. Harvest

Sow in early spring and start harvesting in May, which can be harvested about 11 days after flowering. Harvest in time according to market requirements and plant growth conditions, and apply appropriate fertilizer after harvesting. In hot and sunny weather, build a shade net to prevent the plants from being sunburned.

In general, loofah cultivation requires suitable environmental conditions, and careful field management can increase yield. This article introduces the whole process of loofah cultivation. I hope it will be helpful to friends who have never grown loofah. Suggestions and better planting methods are welcome to be exchanged and learned together.