When is the best time to sow loofah? Plus high-yield fertilisation methods
Loofah grows fast, bears many fruits, and likes fertiliser, but its root system is shallow, and its ability to absorb and tolerate fertiliser is weak, so it requires loose, fertile soil rich in organic matter. So when is the best time to sow loofah? What fertiliser should be applied to achieve high yields? Here is a summary of the fertilisation methods as follows:
When is the best time to sow loofah
Sow after Qingming.
The planting time for loofah depends on the weather; generally, as long as the average temperature stays between 10 degrees and 22 degrees for 5 consecutive days, it can be planted. Most commonly it is planted after Qingming, though of course some plant loofah during the Mangzhong period; in fact it does not matter much, because whether loofah is planted early or late has no great bearing on how quickly it reaches the fruiting stage.
What fertiliser should be applied to loofah to achieve high yields?
During the fruiting stage, loofah does best with plenty of nitrogen, applied in furrows or holes or washed in with water, or sprayed on the leaves; it is recommended to use urea, ammonium nitrate, ammonium bicarbonate, etc., or human and livestock manure and urine, with the aim of preventing premature ageing. After the early fruiting stage, apply one round of clear water and one round of fertiliser; during the fruiting stage, increase the application of phosphorus and potassium fertiliser, and adjust flexibly according to how much nitrogen is supplemented; choose the compound fertiliser you need according to the soil fertility, and on the basis of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, combine soil application or foliar spraying of biostimulants and micro-fertilisers.
Loofah fertilisation methods:
Loofah grows fast, bears many fruits, and likes fertiliser, but its root system is shallow, and its ability to absorb and tolerate fertiliser is weak, so it requires loose, fertile soil rich in organic matter. According to measurements, producing every 1000 kg of loofah requires drawing 1.9-2.7 kg of nitrogen, 0.8-0.9 kg of phosphorus and 3.5-4.0 kg of potassium from the soil. Within 30 days after loofah is transplanted, nitrogen uptake rises in a straight line, and nitrogen uptake is greatest at the mid-growth stage. On entering the reproductive growth stage, the demand for phosphorus increases sharply, while the demand for nitrogen slightly decreases. Before the fruiting stage, the weight gain of each plant organ is slow, and the flow of nutrients is mainly towards the roots and leaves, also supplying nutrients for vine extension and flower bud differentiation and development. After entering the fruiting stage, the plant's growth increases markedly, reaching its maximum at the peak fruiting stage; during the peak fruiting stage, the amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium absorbed by loofah account for about 50%, 47% and 48% respectively of the total nitrogen absorbed. By the late fruiting stage, growth slows down and nutrient uptake decreases, with nitrogen and potassium decreasing more noticeably.
1. During the seedling stage of loofah, to ensure normal flower bud differentiation, the number of flower buds differentiated and the growth of the vegetative body, while applying a proper amount of nitrogen fertiliser, a moderate additional application of phosphorus and potassium fertiliser should be made. Relevant research shows that under high nitrogen levels, additional phosphorus fertiliser can promote earlier flowering and fruiting. Therefore, during the seedling stage, a fertiliser high in nitrogen and sufficient in phosphorus should be applied, such as 20-9-11 sulphur-containing compound fertiliser and similar high-nitrogen compound fertilisers, which are relatively suitable for selection during the loofah seedling stage. When fertilising, organic fertiliser should also be applied in appropriate amounts according to the local soil fertility level, to ensure healthy and vigorous growth of loofah during the seedling stage.
2. During the field growth stage of loofah, this period is when loofah's vegetative growth and reproductive growth proceed together, and it is also the key to ensuring high yields of loofah. During this period, loofah growth requires large amounts of nitrogen and potassium nutrition, but care must also be taken not to apply excessive nitrogen fertiliser; if too much nitrogen fertiliser is applied, the plants will grow leggy and flowering and fruiting will be delayed. Therefore, during this period, a fertilisation method based mainly on base fertiliser, supplemented by split topdressing, should be used; the base fertiliser should be mainly organic fertiliser, combined with a high-nitrogen, potassium compound fertiliser, for example 17-7-17 sulphur-containing compound fertiliser and similar fertilisers, which are relatively suitable for selection during the loofah field growth period. Topdressing is usually washed in with water after the previous batch of loofah is harvested; topdressing must be done in small amounts many times, so that loofah can fully absorb it. If controlled-release BB fertiliser is chosen (a true extended-release fertiliser product, not a product of consolidated formulations such as Entec), then the number of fertiliser applications for loofah will be significantly reduced, improving the economic benefits of loofah cultivation.
In addition, micro-fertilisers should also be reasonably supplemented in good time according to the growth conditions of loofah, to ensure its healthy growth.
In summary, loofah, as a fruiting vegetable, has a relatively large fertiliser requirement. The above summarises the current relevant research results for the reference of the broad community of farmer friends; the specific fertiliser amount still needs to be judged according to the local soil fertility level. But a special reminder is needed: after fertilising, irrigation must follow; fertiliser and water must be combined, as fertiliser without water equals no fertiliser. In today's era of expensive labour, it is suggested to choose controlled-release BB fertiliser (a true extended-release fertiliser product, not a product of consolidated formulations such as Entec), so as to significantly reduce the number of fertiliser applications, greatly save fertiliser and labour, lower production costs and improve the economic benefits of loofah cultivation.
Having read this far, you surely all now understand what fertiliser to apply to loofah and the methods of fertilising loofah; we hope that this summary can help everyone grow loofah better and achieve a good harvest.