Detailed Explanation of Key Points for Greenhouse Luffa Cultivation Techniques
Varieties: It is advisable to select varieties that tolerate low temperatures and weak light, favor fertilizer and water, are of high quality and early maturing, and suit the market. Seed soaking and germination: After disinfection, soak the seeds; during germination, rinse them twice a day with clean water, and they can be sown after one week. Seedling stage management: Water and fertilize appropriately, prevent and control pests and diseases, and harvesting may be done in the morning.
Greenhouse Luffa Cultivation Techniques
1. Land selection and preparation: For luffa production, choose sandy loam with deep, fertile soil, convenient drainage and irrigation, and a neutral to slightly acidic pH.
2. Timely planting: Choose a sunny day to plant luffa; before planting, apply sufficient base fertilizer, generally 5000 kg of high-quality farmyard manure, 80 to 120 kg of superphosphate, and 25-30 kg of urea per mu.
3. Temperature control: Within 2 weeks after planting luffa, keep the greenhouse temperature at 30-33°C to help the seedlings recover; after recovery, lower the greenhouse temperature and keep the daytime temperature at 25-30°C. When it exceeds 32°C, open the vents to ventilate and cool down, and keep the nighttime temperature at 20-25°C.
4. Trellis construction: Luffa cultivation must have a trellis; bamboo, wood, or cement poles can be used as posts, with the trellis about 2 m high. The top of the trellis should be tied crosswise with thin nylon rope into squares, and it must be able to withstand the weight of fresh gourds and the onslaught of strong winds and heavy rain.
5. Fertilizer and water management: Luffa has a relatively high fertilizer requirement. Apply the first heavy fertilizer when the vines begin to grow, combined with earthing up; apply the second heavy fertilizer during the peak fruiting period; and apply appropriate supplemental fertilizer 3-4 times in the late fruiting period, applying 10 kg of NPK compound fertilizer or 20 kg of cake fertilizer per mu.
6. Plant adjustment: During the peak growth period, the luffa plants close the rows and the field becomes crowded. Side vines, tendrils, male flowers, old leaves, and diseased leaves should be removed in time, and the position of the main vine should be adjusted in an “S” shape to facilitate ventilation and light penetration, concentrate nutrients, and increase yield.
7. Artificial pollination: For luffa, artificial pollination is generally carried out from 7:00 to 9:00. Use a brush to dip pollen and smear it onto the stigma of female flowers. After flowering, apply 2,4-D at a concentration of 20-30 mg/L to the top of the fruit; use a low concentration when the temperature is high, and vice versa when the temperature is low.
8. Timely harvesting: Luffa has strong continuous fruiting ability, and during the peak fruiting period the fruits grow quickly. If planted properly, it can be harvested once every 2 to 3 days. Harvesting should be done in the morning, cutting from the fruit stalk with a tool. It is not advisable to pull and pick by hand, so as not to break the branches and vines.