When is the best time to sow Kangua seeds?

Kangua is a new kind of squash that can be harvested cut-by-cut as you eat and regrows rapidly; it is a variety of pumpkin. It contains 8 essential amino acids that the human body cannot synthesize on its own and is rich in vitamin C, giving it certain medicinal value. So when should Kangua seeds be sown?

1. When to sow Kangua seeds

The suitable seedling-raising and sowing period for Kangua is mostly between mid-March and May. The planting method is the same as for pumpkin, in open-field cultivation. It is mainly propagated by seed; the suitable temperature for seed germination is 20-30 degrees, and the seeds can be sown after soaking in warm water for 2 hours. Raise seedlings in nutrient cups (or direct-sow in the open field if conditions do not allow), then harden off the seedlings after 3-4 leaves and transplant them to the field. Before planting, open furrows and dig holes. Apply sufficient base fertilizer (apply 10 kg-20 kg of fully decomposed poultry manure per plant, mix well with the soil), with a row spacing of 2 m and a plant spacing of 1 m.

2. The growing environment of Kangua

1. Temperature: The suitable temperature for Kangua seed germination is 25-30°C. At 15°C germination is slow, and at 30-35°C germination is fastest, but the young sprouts are thin and weak. The suitable daytime temperature for stem and leaf growth is 23-30°C, and the nighttime temperature is 15-18°C; growth is slow when the temperature is above 35°C or below 15°C. The suitable temperature for young squash growth is 25-30°C during the day and around 15°C at night.

2. Light: Kangua is a short-day crop and is not very demanding about light; it is best suited to moderate-intensity light conditions, and can still flower and set fruit and grow well under weak-light conditions in a winter greenhouse; short-day conditions of within 12 hours per day favor earlier formation of female flowers and an increased number of them, and also lower the node position. Excessively strong light in late spring and summer is also unfavorable for growth and development, and easily causes plant wilting and the occurrence of viral diseases.

3. Water: Kangua has a well-developed root system and relatively strong drought resistance, but because its leaves are large and transpiration is vigorous, it needs to absorb a large amount of water, so during the young squash swelling period it should be watered in time to meet the needs of growth and development. However, from the seedling stage until the first young squash sets, if the soil moisture is too high, it easily causes excessive vegetative growth of stems and leaves, leading to flower and fruit drop.

4. Soil: Kangua has strong adaptability to soil, and it is best to plant it in loose, fertile loam with good drainage and irrigation; Kangua has a relatively high fertilizer requirement, and using nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and trace elements in combination gives high yield and good quality. Through experimental research, the ratio of absorbed nitrogen:phosphorus:potassium fertilizer is 3:2:6. In addition, an appropriate amount of trace elements such as calcium, magnesium, sulfur, copper, iron, zinc and manganese is also needed. If too much nitrogen fertilizer is applied, it will cause excessive vegetative growth of stems and leaves, leading to flower drop, fruit drop and poor product quality, and it also makes the plant more susceptible to pests and diseases.

Kangua can be harvested for eating without waiting for the squash to ripen; during the growing period it can be cut and eaten, so you can eat fresh squash every day, and the cut wound can heal quickly without affecting normal growth.