Detailed Guide to Trichosanthes Planting Techniques, Fertilization Methods and Per-Mu Returns

AbstractMethods for planting Trichosanthes: plant in loose, fertile sandy loam; 15-20 days before sowing, spray 75% wettable cotton powder to disinfect the soil; transplant Trichosanthes to the field in early April. Fertilization techniques for Trichosanthes: when the seedlings grow to 1 foot, open a ring-shaped furrow 0.5-1 foot from the seedlings and lightly water once with a mixture of manure water and a small amount of urea. Returns from planting one mu of Trichosanthes: in the first year, one mu of land can yield about 3880-5500 yuan.

I. Methods for planting Trichosanthes

1. Land selection and preparation

(1) Trichosanthes is a deep-rooted plant, and its roots can extend 1-2 m into the soil, so it is necessary to choose deep, loose and fertile sandy loam for planting, or it can also be grown using places such as the front of houses, trees and ditches.

(2) Before the plot is finished, 5000 kg of farmyard manure can be applied per 1000 sq m as base fertilizer, and 30 kg of calcium phosphate should be added to the soil; 15-20 days before sowing, 75% wettable cotton powder needs to be sprayed to disinfect the soil. When leveling the plot, there is no need to make beds, but the plot needs open drainage ditches around it.

2. Planting method

(1) Transplant Trichosanthes to the field as early as possible after the frost-free period, which helps gain time for high yield. Generally in early April, depending on the weather, more than 260 plants are transplanted per mu. First place the seedlings on sand, then cover the seedlings with a small amount of sand, and cover them with a layer of weeds on top.

3. Later management

(1) In the year Trichosanthes is planted, 1-2 strong seedlings can be retained per plant, and all the rest should be removed. By the 2nd year, usually only one plant remains. When the main stem of the seedling grows to 0.3-0.5 m, bamboo poles or soft ropes can be used to lead the seedlings onto the trellis in time.

(2) When the seedlings grow to about 1 m, they need to be topped in time, which helps promote the growth of side branches. If vegetative growth is too strong, perennial hairy stems should be pruned in time.

II. Fertilization techniques for Trichosanthes

When the seedlings grow to 1 foot, open a ring-shaped furrow 0.5-1 foot from the seedlings, then lightly water once with a mixture of manure water and a small amount of urea. Later, check the seedlings once a week. During the flowering period, according to the growth situation, appropriately apply flower-protecting and fruit-protecting fertilizer as a top dressing, add spray for flower-protecting and fruit-protecting agents, and spray anti-drop elements and auxin.

III. Cost of planting one mu of Trichosanthes

1. Seedling purchase cost

One mu of land needs about 20-25 kg of Trichosanthes mother roots, and the market price of Trichosanthes mother roots is about 16-20 yuan per kg, so the total cost is 320-500 yuan.

2. Planting cost

In the early stage, fertilizer costs and labor management costs need to be invested, totaling about 5000 yuan. By the 2nd year, there is no need to invest too much, so before harvesting, about 5320-5500 yuan of funds are needed for planting.

IV. Returns from planting one mu of Trichosanthes

One mu of land can produce about 200 kg of Trichosanthes, and the market price of Trichosanthes is about 16-20 yuan per kg, while the market price of Trichosanthes seeds is about 30-35 yuan per kg. Overall, one mu of land can yield about 9200-11000 yuan. After deducting the seedling purchase cost and planting cost, the first year can yield about 3880-5500 yuan.