When is the best time to plant gourd seeds?

Traditional gourds are mainly used as vegetables or as containers. The most common use is to hold wine. In recent years, gourds have become increasingly popular as ornamental gourds. So when is the best time to plant gourd seeds? Let’s take a look below.

1. When is the best time to plant gourd seeds?

It is recommended to plant gourds in late spring each year. This period is the peak growth season for the plants. Planting at this time can increase the survival rate of seeds and is more conducive to seed germination. In addition, there is a big temperature difference between the north and the south, with planting in May in the north and in March to April in the south.

2. How to make gourd seeds germinate?

1. Prepare gourd seeds: Choose fresh gourd seeds, preferably collected from mature gourds. Clean the gourd seeds and remove any impurities on the surface.

2. Soak: Soak the gourd seeds in warm water for about 6 hours. Soaking stimulates the seeds' ability to germinate.

3. Control the temperature and humidity: Place the soaked gourd seeds in a seed culture dish or a moist flowerpot, and then place it in a place with suitable temperature (generally 20-25°C) and sufficient light, but avoid direct sunlight. Keep the seeds moist, but not too wet.

4. Wait for germination: Usually, gourd seeds will germinate in about a week. During the germination period, continue to maintain suitable temperature and humidity, and observe whether roots and seedlings appear.

5. Transferring seedlings: When the gourd seedlings grow to 5-10cm in height, they can be transferred to a larger flowerpot or outplanting soil. Continue to provide adequate light and water and keep the soil moist.

2. Key points for daily maintenance of gourd

1. Ensure sufficient sunlight: Gourd likes sunlight and must be planted in a place with good sunlight.

2. Ensure sufficient nutrients: Gourds like fertilizer. When sowing, it is best to dig deep holes and mix the soil with organic fertilizer . You can also apply compound fertilizer to mix the soil.

3. Ensure sufficient water: Gourd plants like water but are not afraid of water. When caring for them, water them in time to keep the soil slightly moist.

4. Top and pinch the tip: The gourd mainly blooms and bears fruit on the side vines, so when the vine grows to about one meter and has 4-5 leaves, you can start pinching the tip. This can promote the germination and growth of side branches and promote more flowers. When the branched vines have four or five flowers, you can pinch the tips a second time.

5. Vine traction: The gourd needs to be tied and pulled manually before being put on the shelf. Once it is on the shelf, it can climb by itself. When pulling the vines, pay attention to maintain ventilation and cut off the thin branches.

6. Artificial pollination: In order to increase the fruit setting rate of gourds, you can choose artificial pollination. Around 9 am, pick the male flowers (the male flower stalks have no small gourds, while the female flowers have small gourds), and touch the flower cores of the female flowers against each other a few times to allow the male flower pollen to fully stick to the female flower stamens.

7. Disease and pest control: Anthracnose, downy mildew, powdery mildew and other diseases: June to July each year is the peak period. You can choose to use fungicides for prevention and control in late May or early June, spraying once every week, especially in hot and humid weather. Spray fungicides in time for prevention. You can choose to use fungicides such as chlorothalonil, carbendazim, and mancozeb in rotation. Pests such as aphids, caterpillars, whiteflies, red spiders, etc.: Choose avermectin, imidacloprid, or cypermethrin and spray once every fourteen days, and spray two to three times in a row. Note that if it is edible gourd, do not use medicine more than half a month before harvest.

That’s it