How to Plant Small Gourd Seeds? A Detailed Guide to the Planting Method
Hand-twisted gourds are a favorite plaything for many people. As they are handled over time, the gourd's surface becomes smooth and glossy. They are also very popular because of their auspicious meaning of “fortune and prosperity” (fulu), and gourds with good shapes command high prices. Small gourds are the raw material for hand-twisted gourds. Today I will introduce how to plant small gourd seeds.
1. Sowing Time
It is recommended to plant gourds in late spring each year. This period is the plant's peak growing season, and planting at this time is more conducive to seed germination and can improve the seed survival rate. In addition, because the temperature difference between the north and south is quite large, the southern region plants in March to April, while the northern region plants in May.
2. Seed Treatment
Select high-quality gourd seeds for planting, disinfect the seeds with a potassium permanganate solution, then soak the seeds in warm water at about 40°C for half an hour. Finally, take the seeds out, wrap them in a paper towel, and place them in a warm, ventilated environment to promote germination.
3. Indoor Germination
Choose a flower pot of moderate size, line the bottom of the pot with sand first, then a layer of gauze, and place the seeds on the gauze. Cover the seeds with a towel and a cotton quilt to keep them warm, and it is best to keep the temperature at 25-28°C. Remove the quilt every day and sprinkle a little water, but do not let water accumulate. After waiting for the seeds to crack and show white, take them out and place them in a cool place, waiting to be sown.
4. Potting Soil Preparation
Before planting, be sure to prepare suitable soil to ensure the seeds have a better growing environment. The soil must have good permeability and sufficient nutrients. You can use a mix of leaf mold, garden soil, river sand, and a small amount of organic fertilizer to ensure the seeds' growth.
5. Sowing
Sowing is generally done in April. Poke a 3-4 cm deep hole in the surface of the potting soil, place the seed into the hole with its opening facing down, cover it, and water once. Under normal circumstances, the seeds will take root in about a week. Bury the rooted seeds into the soil with the roots facing down and cover with a thin layer of soil. After planting, place them in a semi-shaded, ventilated environment and keep the soil slightly moist. The seeds will germinate in about 10 days.