Analysis of the Causes of Yellowing Bitter Melon Leaves and Control Methods

Bitter melon is a popular vegetable in summer. Although it tastes bitter, it has effects such as clearing heat and relieving summer heat, and tonifying the kidney and spleen, and is highly favored by consumers in summer. Because of its bitterness, it has very few pests and diseases, so its planting area is also continuously expanding, but during cultivation, the phenomenon of leaves turning yellow and withering is often encountered. Let's take a look together with Qinnong Network below.

1. Nutrient deficiency

During the growth of bitter melon, if it lacks nitrogen, it will lead to fewer leaves, and yellowing will gradually begin from the lower part of the leaves and move upward. At the growth nodes, the internodes will show obvious shortening symptoms, the leaf veins will protrude and turn yellow, and finally the entire leaf will turn yellow. When fruiting, there will be fewer fruit-bearing plants, slow expansion, and the fruit will be prone to deformity.

Control methods: Master fertilization techniques, apply fertilizer at the right time and in the right amount, and especially pay attention to the application of nitrogen fertilizer. Fertilization should also pay attention to the application rate. Before flowering and fruiting, the plant needs fewer nutrients for growth, so fertilizer should be applied at this time; after flowering and fruit setting, the amount of fertilizer should be appropriately increased to ensure successful fruit setting; during the fruiting period, both plant growth and fruiting require large amounts of nutrients, so heavy application is needed; in the late fruiting stage, the plant begins to age, so fertilizer should be applied appropriately to prevent premature aging from causing poor fruit growth.

2. Excessive water accumulation

Bitter melon has many lateral roots and a well-developed root system, so it likes a moist environment, but it is not tolerant of waterlogging. It grows relatively quickly in a humidity of about 85% and a corresponding soil environment. However, if the soil accumulates too much water, it is very easy to cause root rot, thereby causing the leaves to yellow and wilt.

Control methods: When watering, it should depend on the plant's growth condition and the climate. In dry climates and when the soil is dry, water in time to supplement moisture, while in rainy weather, drainage and waterlogging prevention should be done well to prevent water accumulation.

3. Natural aging

The bitter melon plant grows like a vine. It has luxuriant branches and leaves and extremely strong branching ability. In the later stage of growth, due to excessively fast growth and insufficient nutrient supply, some leaves of bitter melon will appear yellow.

Control methods: Prune in time, promptly remove lateral vines growing below 50cm, and keep only 1-2 robust lateral vines to ensure nutrient supply and allow them to grow. In the late fruiting stage, promptly remove aging yellow leaves and weak, slender lateral branches in time to reduce partial nutrient consumption and thereby affect fruiting.

4. Pests and diseases

Many pests and diseases can cause yellowing leaves in bitter melon, such as anthracnose, root-knot nematode disease, and gummy stem blight. During the development of these diseases, some of their conditions will cause yellowing leaves in bitter melon.

Control methods: Strengthen pest and disease control work, strengthen management, and promptly deal with yellowing leaf phenomena when found. Observe carefully to determine which disease is causing the yellowing leaf phenomenon, then apply the right remedy and remove promptly.

The above are the causes of yellowing bitter melon leaves and control methods brought to you by Qinnong Network. We hope it can help you. To learn more about bitter melon cultivation techniques, please follow Qinnong Network.