Time and method of planting loofah outdoors

Luffa is a vegetable with high nutritional value and delicate taste, and is deeply loved by consumers. It is not only edible but also has medicinal value and is a crop with high planting benefits. Let’s learn about the time and method of planting loofah in the open air.

1. Suitable sowing time

Luffa prefers warmth and plenty of sunlight. The best temperature for seed germination is 25-35℃, and the suitable temperature for growth is 20-30℃. The germination speed slows down when the temperature is below 15℃, and germination is difficult when the temperature is below 10℃. Therefore, loofah should not be sown early. The appropriate sowing time should be chosen according to local climatic conditions, usually between Grain Rain and Beginning of Summer.

2. Choose strong seedlings and plant them at a reasonable density

Luffa has strong adaptability and is suitable for growing in deep, loose soil rich in organic matter. Avoid planting in low-lying waterlogged areas; high-bed cultivation is recommended. When sowing, place 3-4 seeds in each hole, and keep 1-2 strong seedlings after germination. The loofah plant is relatively large, and the recommended planting spacing is 1 meter to prevent field closure and pests and diseases.

3. Water properly

The loofah requires less water before it bears fruit, but the water requirement increases after it bears fruit. When sowing, if the soil is moist, no watering is required; if it is dry, watering is required. Water less during the seedling stage, and keep the soil moisture not less than 70% after the melons are formed. It is better to water frequently with small amounts of water.

4. Scientific fertilization

Luffa likes fertilizer, and it is best to apply the base fertilizer in holes, combined with decomposed farmyard manure and triple compound fertilizer . During the seedling stage, you can irrigate with diluted manure water or apply urea 2-3 times. During the flowering and podding period, apply heavy topdressing, 30 kg of triple compound fertilizer per mu, and spray 0.3% potassium dihydrogen phosphate foliar fertilizer 2-3 times. Apply decomposed manure after each harvest.

5. Pruning and vine guiding

During the growth process of loofah, many side vines will be produced. Only 2-3 strong side vines need to be retained, and the excess side vines should be cut off to save nutrients. Cut off old, diseased and yellow leaves in time to enhance ventilation and light transmission and reduce diseases and pests. Top and pinch the vigorously growing plants to promote reproductive growth. When the loofah vine grows to 30 cm, insert bamboo to guide the vine in a counterclockwise direction, and the height of the frame should not be less than 2 meters.

Note that loofah should be picked promptly after it matures to prevent fibrosis from affecting its quality. Through the above methods, you can easily grow high-yield, high-quality loofah.

The above is an introduction to the planting time and methods of loofah. As a common vegetable, loofah is grown by many farmers in rural areas. If you want to make a profit by growing loofah, it is very important to master the methods.