How to Pinch Out Kan Gua? Detailed Guide to the Correct Pinching Method

Kan Gua is a variety of pumpkin that can be cut repeatedly for eating, but like pumpkins, it needs pinching out during cultivation to achieve high yields. So how do you pinch out Kan Gua?

1. How to pinch out Kan Gua?

When the Kan Gua vine has grown to 1 m long, first remove the side vines below 1 m, then press the vines down, and train the vines up onto a trellis. After the first cluster has set fruit and 5 to 8 true leaves have grown, pinch out the growing tip. Generally, leaving two side vines per plant is about right.

2. Will Kan Gua still grow after being cut?

Kan Gua will still grow after being cut, allowing you to keep cutting and eating it. Kan Gua actually belongs to a variety of pumpkin, and its growing conditions are basically the same as those of ordinary pumpkin (also known as winter squash). But unlike pumpkin, Kan Gua contains much more healing agent in its body than pumpkin, so it can promote continuous healing of the wound. After the lower half of the Kan Gua is cut off, it can produce healing agent, organize the cut surface of the wound to block contact with air and bacteria, and continuously promote the formation of new tissue. Therefore, Kan Gua can be eaten whenever you look at it, and you can eat fresh melon every day.

However, if it is not cut off, it also has a limit to its growth. After seeing the first wonder, everyone may think: if Kan Gua is not cut off, can it keep extending and grow to several meters or even more than ten meters tall? The facts may disappoint everyone. Kan Gua secretes a large amount of healing agent only when it is cut off. If it is not cut off, then it can only grow to a length of about 1 m, and the longest is about 1.5 m. Therefore, Kan Gua cannot grow endlessly.