Sponge gourd planting technology and management methods

The flesh of loofah is tender and juicy, sweet and crisp, and rich in vitamins and fiber. It is a favorite ingredient for many people. In rural areas, many farmers like to grow loofah because the plant is easy to manage and has a long harvest period. The cultivation of loofah can not only bring economic benefits to farmers, but also enrich their dietary structure. Let’s learn about loofah planting techniques and management methods.

1. Planting time

Before planting loofah, you need to choose an appropriate time. If you choose to plant it in spring, you need to wait until the temperature rises before sowing. If you choose to plant it in summer, you should choose heat-resistant varieties and plant them around May. If you choose to plant it in autumn, you should choose varieties such as green skin and plant them around September.

2. Site selection and land preparation

In the loofah planting technology and management, you should choose fertile soil with a pH of about 6.0. If the pH does not meet the requirements, you can add lime powder to improve it, and then add organic fertilizer and a small amount of chemical fertilizer to the soil as base fertilizer, and deep plow the soil to a depth of about 30 cm.

3. Soaking and germination

Before sowing, soak the seeds in hot water at about 52°C for about half an hour, stirring constantly, and then soak the seeds in warm water at about 26°C for about 8 hours. After soaking, place the seeds on a moist paper towel, cover them with a layer of sand, and place the seeds in an environment of about 27°C for germination. The seeds can be sown when they have about 5 leaves.

4. Sowing

When sowing, scatter the germinated seeds in the soil, with a distance of about 7 cm between each seed. Then spread a layer of soil about 8 cm thick on top of the seeds, add rotted chicken manure, water thoroughly, and control the temperature at around 28°C. At this time, the sowing work is completed.

5. Scaffolding management

After planting, you need to build a trellis for the loofah to facilitate the growth of its vines. You can use wooden stakes with a diameter of about 15 cm and a height of about 250 cm. Insert the bottom 40 cm of the stake into the soil, and place bamboo poles around the stakes to keep them upright. You can weave a net out of bamboo strips and place it on top of the trellis to help the loofah vines grow longer.

6. Water and fertilizer management

During the growing period of loofah, the soil should be kept moist. The loofah can be watered by rainwater. Pay attention to drainage when there is heavy rain. After planting the loofah, apply river mud to it, apply rotted manure before it is put on the shed, and apply phosphorus and potassium fertilizers once every 8 days after it is put on the shed.

The above is an introduction to the planting techniques and methods of loofah. As a common vegetable , the market demand for loofah is relatively stable. When planting, you can choose suitable varieties according to local eating habits.