Latest key points for growing Kangua

Many of us may not know Kangua. In fact, it is a mutant variety of pumpkin, and their growth habits, cultivation methods and other aspects are basically similar, but the biggest difference is that pumpkins are generally harvested whole, while Kangua is mainly harvested by cutting. Kangua is extremely rich in nutritional value, but the quantity of Kangua on the market is not large, which is why we do not see it often. So today, let us learn together with Qin Nong Wang about what needs attention when growing Kangua.

1. Time

Because Kangua does not have very high requirements for the natural environment, soil and other aspects, it can be grown in most areas of our country. However, if you want high yield, you still need to pay attention to the planting time. Generally, it can be planted in spring and autumn, but there will be certain differences in different places. In normal areas, planting is generally carried out in March and at the end of July each year, while in Guangzhou and other places it is planted in March and October, and in a few areas it is planted in November each year. Therefore, the specific time must be timely sowing according to your own location.

2. Temperature

To a certain extent, Kangua still has certain temperature requirements. For example, if seeds are to germinate, it is best to keep the temperature at around 20 to 28 degrees, at which time the seeds will sprout much faster and the germination rate will also be higher. Secondly, during the growth process of Kangua, the temperature is best maintained at around 25 degrees, which can promote the growth cycle of Kangua, make it enter the flowering stage faster, and finally increase the fruit-setting rate of Kangua.

3. Fertilizer and water

Fertilizer and water management is a very important point in growing Kangua. Scientific fertilizer and water management can determine the yield and quality of Kangua, so we should attach relatively great importance to this aspect. Fertilization of Kangua is actually carried out in batches. It is mainly because of its harvesting method that its fertilization method and frequency are determined. The first fertilization is one week after Kangua is planted, mainly nitrogen fertilizer, to promote the growth of the seedlings. The second is during the peak growth season of Kangua seedlings, when it can promote its growth cycle and help it enter the flowering stage. Then comes the third fertilization, namely flower fertilizer, mainly potassium fertilizer and phosphorus fertilizer. Finally is the more important fruit-strengthening fertilizer, for which we mainly use boron fertilizer. Of course, fruit-strengthening fertilizer needs to be applied multiple times. That is, after each cutting harvest, fertilization also needs to be carried out once. In a certain sense, this also belongs to fruit-strengthening fertilizer. In addition, watering is carried out after each fertilization.

4. Management

The main points to pay attention to in Kangua management are trellising, vine pruning, leaf pruning and pollination. The trellis needs to be about 1.8 to 2 m tall, mainly made of wooden sticks. Set up one beside each seedling, then use ropes to connect each trellis so that they climb and grow along the ropes on the trellis. After Kangua sets fruit, we must pay attention to slightly removing some of the vines and branches and leaves beside unstable fruit setting. This can avoid nutrient consumption and at the same time allow sufficient photosynthesis. There is also the matter of pollination. Because Kangua is cross-pollinated, it needs a pollination medium. When bees and insects are less active in rainy seasons, we need to carry out artificial supplementary pollination. Only in this way can the fruit-setting rate of Kangua be increased.

5. Harvesting

When harvesting Kangua, note that for the first batch of gourds, we need to harvest them whole after they mature. Only when the second batch sets fruit do we adopt the cutting harvest method, because the automatic healing ability of the second batch of gourds is stronger than that of the first batch. After cutting harvest, they can heal immediately and continue growing, but the first batch cannot. Therefore, in order to increase yield, the second gourd is generally kept.