Open air loofah cultivation management

Whether grown outdoors in spring, summer and autumn, or in greenhouses in winter, loofah is a vegetable widely grown by farmers and frequently purchased by consumers. In the process of growing loofah, farmers may encounter problems such as poor growth, few and small fruits, only flowering but no fruits, or deformed fruits. Let’s take a brief look at the outdoor loofah cultivation and management.

1. Sponge gourd planting time throughout the year

Luffa has strong adaptability and can be grown almost all year round. Usually, it is planted in a greenhouse in spring from February to April, in summer from May to July, in autumn from August to September, and in winter after November. Climate differences in different regions lead to different planting times. The suitable temperature for loofah growth is 18-28 degrees.

2. Loofah Growth Environment Requirements

1. Temperature

Luffa likes warmth and can grow within 15-35 degrees, with the optimum temperature being 18-28 degrees. Low temperatures will inhibit growth and affect germination, flowering and fruiting.

2. Humidity

Luffa likes moisture, and keeping the soil moist during the growing period helps its growth and fruiting. Maintain 60-70% humidity during the seedling stage and increase it to 70-80% during the flowering and fruiting stage.

3. Lighting

Luffa is a short-day crop. It needs sufficient short-day sunlight from vine growth to flowering, and long-day sunlight, at least 8 hours a day, during the flowering and fruiting period.

4. Soil

Luffa does not have high requirements for soil, but fertile, loose, well-drained sandy loam or loam is preferred, and the pH value should be neutral to slightly acidic.

5. Fertilizer

Luffa requires more nitrogen and potassium fertilizers and less phosphorus fertilizers. In the early growth stage, nitrogen fertilizer is mainly used, while in the flowering and fruiting stage, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers are mainly used. Avoid excessive application of nitrogen fertilizer.

3. Sowing and seedling raising and transplanting of loofah

1. Treatment before sowing

Luffa seeds need to be dried in the sun, soaked in warm water and germinated to increase the germination rate.

2. Seedling cultivation

After the seeds turn white, sow them in the seedbed or nutrient pots, and keep the soil moist and at a suitable temperature.

3. Transplanting and planting

Transplant the seedlings when they have 3-4 true leaves, pay attention to protecting the root system, and choose a sunny afternoon to plant. The density depends on the variety.

4. Fertilizer and water management during the growth period of loofah

1. Management after planting

After transplanting, water the bottom thoroughly. Apply less water and fertilizer during the seedling stage to prevent excessive growth.

2. Management during the flowering and fruiting period

After the first young melon is established, start watering and applying fertilizer, mainly phosphorus and potassium fertilizers, and keep the soil moist.

5. Arrangement of loofah plants

1. Frame building and vine guiding

When the loofah vines are growing, set up a frame. When the main vine is 30-40 cm long, press it down. When it is 50 cm long, lead the vine to the frame.

2. Thinning branches and removing whiskers

Cut off the branches at the base, remove the tendrils, and improve ventilation and light conditions.

3. Thin leaves

Remove dense branches and old yellow leaves in the middle and late stages to reduce diseases and pests.

6. Management of flower and melon thinning and melon retention in loofah

1. Thinning flowers and melons

Remove excessive flower buds to avoid excessive consumption of nutrients.

2. Leave the melon

According to the growth of the plants, leave a reasonable number of melons, generally 3-5 per plant.

The above is an introduction to the key points of loofah cultivation and management techniques. When the loofah is mature, the young melons swell and become hard, and the stems turn yellow and soft, and then they can be harvested. By following the above methods, you can grow high-yield and high-quality loofah.