Method of vine pressing for loofah cultivation

Luffa is a very popular vegetable . When planting luffa, you should choose high-quality, high-yield, stress-resistant and adaptable varieties. In addition, you should pay attention to management during planting. Here I will introduce to you the method of growing loofah by pressing vines.

Method of vine pressing for loofah cultivation

Luffa is a vine-growing vegetable, so you need to build a rack to guide the vines. This can increase ventilation and light conditions, reduce the occurrence of diseases and pests, and facilitate picking and management. After guiding the vines onto the shelves, they also need to be pressed down. The so-called vine pressing means removing the side branches below 40-50 cm of the main vine stem, and removing the old leaves that grow too densely and the thin side branches on the upper part. Then bend down the top of the main vine and cover it with soil. This can stimulate branching of the main vine and promote fruiting of female flowers on the side branches.

Loofah cultivation management matters

1. Water management

Luffa is not tolerant to waterlogging. Waterlogging will inhibit the growth of the plant and cause root rot. In early spring, due to the low temperature, watering should be done when the temperature is high at noon. After entering summer, the loofah enters the peak period of fruit setting and nutritional growth, and the demand for water and nutrients increases. The temperature is high, the leaves evaporate a lot of water, and water consumption is high. Watering should be frequent, once every 2-3 days, in the morning or afternoon when the sun is about to set and the temperature is lower, and the soil should always be kept moist.

2. Fertilization management

In the early growth stage of loofah, it is reasonable to reduce the application of nitrogen fertilizer. Generally, the use of fertilizer types should be increased after the loofah sets fruit. The first topdressing should be carried out when the first female flower of loofah blooms, with 45 kg of triple compound fertilizer or 3,000 kg of decomposed manure per mu. At the same time, combine it with inter-row cultivation and soil loosening. Apply topdressing once every 1-2 harvests. During the peak fruit-bearing period, apply quick-acting nitrogen fertilizer once every 7 days or so. In the late fruit-bearing period, apply 0.2-0.3% potassium dihydrogen phosphate or 0.2% urea to the leaves 2-3 times.

3. Intertillage and weeding

The lateral roots of loofah are well developed, so shallow tillage should be done during inter-row cultivation and weeding to avoid damaging the lateral roots. The root base should be built up with soil 3-5 times to promote lateral root growth and increase the ability to transport nutrients. Inter-row cultivation and weeding should be completed before the loofah is planted on the racks. Generally, shallow tillage should be done after planting, in the seedling stage, and in the early stage of vine extension. In the early stage of vine extension, depending on the growth situation, if the growth is good but there is a phenomenon of excessive growth, the vines should be pressed down.

4. Pruning management

After the loofah is put on the shelf, try not to remove the side vines as much as possible. However, if there are too many side vines, some of the denser or weaker vines should be removed to improve ventilation between plants and increase the utilization rate of light energy. During the peak fruiting period of the loofah, some old and diseased leaves at the base should also be removed. At the same time, the tendrils, some male flowers and deformed melons of the loofah should be removed to facilitate the concentration of nutrients on normal young melons. If they are not removed in time, flowers and fruits will easily fall and deformed melons will be deformed.

5. Pick melons in time

After the loofah blooms and bears fruit, promptly remove the tendrils that affect the growth of young melons, straighten the position of the young melons with the melon frame, vines, petioles, etc., so that the loofah can grow normally. If necessary, after the melon seedlings begin to grow thicker, hang a stone at the lower end of the melon to make the loofah grow straighter and longer.

That’s it