How to Grow Luffa Without Soil: The Latest Technical Method Tutorial
Everyone knows that growing crops requires soil, but the soilless cultivation technology that has emerged in recent years has overturned traditional ideas, as crops can be grown very well without soil. The main advantage is that it can also prevent and control a range of pests and diseases and reduce losses, so today I bring you the soilless cultivation technique for luffa. Now follow me and take a look!
1. Raising seedlings
Before starting to plant, we need to use nutrient pots to prepare seedlings for luffa before soilless cultivation. First soak the seeds in warm water for 3-4h, then place the seeds in a 0.1% potassium permanganate solution for 2-3h to disinfect them, and after disinfection remove them and rinse them clean with water. After disinfection, begin germination. During germination, the temperature must be kept between 26-30 degrees, because if the temperature is too low, germination will fail. When most of the sprouts have grown to 3-5 mm, on a sunny day place the sprouts into nutrient pots filled with substrate, then cover with substrate and plastic wrap to keep them warm and moist.
2. Management
Within one week after sowing, the daytime temperature should be controlled at 30-32 degrees, and the nighttime temperature should be controlled at 18-22 degrees. Because luffa is a temperature-loving crop, the temperature around the luffa must be maintained. After the luffa seedlings emerge, remove the film on the ground, then appropriately lower the temperature by 3-5 degrees. When the luffa seedlings grow 3-4 leaves, transplanting can begin. One week before transplanting, the seedlings should be hardened off, the substrate moisture in the nutrient pots should be maintained, watering should be done every morning, and the sunlight duration should be no less than eight hours.
3. Transplanting
As mentioned above, when the luffa seedlings grow 3-4 leaves, transplanting can begin, preferably on a sunny morning. When growing in a greenhouse, a double-row transplanting method should be used, with a row spacing of at least 0.6m and a spacing between each plant of at least 0.4m. The spacing between each growing trough should be between 0.8m-1m, which can effectively protect the roots from damage. After transplanting, supply the nutrient solution once every 1-2d. In cloudy and rainy weather, increase the concentration of the nutrient solution to improve the quality of the luffa.
4. Harvesting
Luffa is a crop that can be harvested multiple times a year. With proper management, it can be harvested once every 7-10 days. When the luffa stalk becomes less rough and slightly colored, the fuzz on the skin decreases, and it feels softer when pressed, it can be harvested. Harvesting too late will cause the luffa fiber to become old and the seeds to gradually mature, making it inedible. Therefore, the harvest interval should be shortened as much as possible, and it is best to harvest around 8 a.m.
The above is a brief introduction to soilless cultivation techniques for luffa. Soilless cultivation can save water and fertilizer, reduce pests and diseases, is not limited by region, and is the latest technology for achieving high yields. Luffa, a crop that is prone to diseases and requires large amounts of water and fertilizer, is most suitable for soilless cultivation. However, soilless cultivation is only suitable for large-scale planting, not for household growing for personal consumption.