High-yield planting and management techniques for loofah

Luffa is an annual herb with a life cycle of about 150 days. This plant has excellent adaptability, can withstand high temperatures, resist low temperatures and drought, and has strong resistance to diseases and pests. Luffa has a strong ability to absorb water and nutrients, so it can grow in a variety of soil types. Let’s learn the key points of high-yield loofah cultivation and management techniques.

1. Planting time

Luffa is highly adaptable and can be grown almost all year round. Typically, spring planting takes place from February to April (when the weather warms up), summer from May to July (early summer), autumn from August to September (cooler season), and winter in greenhouses after November. However, due to climate differences, planting times may vary from place to place. It is ideal to grow loofah at a suitable temperature of 18 to 28 degrees. Temperatures below 15 degrees may cause germination difficulties.

2. Seed treatment

Before sowing, air-dry the loofah seeds for 2 to 3 days to activate germination. Next, place the seeds in warm water at 53 to 55 degrees and stir for 15 minutes to sterilize them, then transfer them to warm water at 28 to 32 degrees and soak them for 2 to 4 hours, while scrubbing to remove mucus to promote water absorption and germination. Finally, wrap the seeds with wet gauze and germinate them in a warm and humid environment of 25 to 28 degrees. Spray water 1 to 2 times a day, and sow them after more than 70% of the seeds turn white.

3. Fertilization strategy

Loofah has a long growth cycle and requires a large amount of fertilizer. The principle of fertilization is to apply fertilizer frequently and thinly, control water and fertilizer before fruit setting, increase fertilization during the fruit setting period, and increase phosphorus and potassium fertilizers. Apply sufficient base fertilizer when preparing the land, using 2500 to 3000 kg of organic fertilizer and 30 to 40 kg of compound fertilizer per mu. Strictly control fertilization in the early growth stage, and start topdressing after the female buds appear. During the entire growing period, top dressing should be applied several times in combination with watering, and during the harvest period, top dressing should be applied once after every 1 to 2 harvests.

4. Moisture management

Luffa likes moisture and is not drought-tolerant. Water sufficiently after planting. If mulch is used for covering, reduce the watering frequency. During the flowering period, the water requirement increases. Water thoroughly after the second fruit picking, and then water every 5 to 7 days to ensure the development of stems and fruits.

5. Plant adjustment

After transplanting, set up a trellis in time to guide the vines, and insert the trellis when the vines are 30 cm long. Appropriately nestle and press the vines, and lead the vines upward after the female flowers appear. Keep necessary side vines, and top and pinch off deformed or weak main vines. The entire growing period is combined with vine tending and harvesting, and male flowers, old leaves and overcrowded leaves are thinned out.

6. Clean the melons in time

During the flowering and fruiting period, arrange the small melons so that they are hung vertically, and remove diseased melons in time to prevent the spread of the disease.

7. Harvest at the right time

Loofahs are mainly young melons, which take 7 to 10 days from flowering to maturity. Summer loofahs take about 35 to 45 days from sowing to the first harvest. When harvesting, it is best to cut the fruit stalk with scissors in the morning and handle it gently to avoid squeezing.

The above is an introduction to the key points of high-yield loofah cultivation technology. Loofah is very commonly planted in rural areas of my country, so everyone must master the method.