A Detailed Guide to the Latest Planting Times and Seedling Methods for Loofah
Loofah, as a climbing vine plant, has cooling and detoxifying, blood-activating medicinal effects, tastes sweet and delicious, and the soup is also very fresh and tasty. Mature old loofah can also be used to wash dishes, with very good results. It is loved by many households. Today, the editor brings you the planting methods and times for loofah.
1. Variety Selection
Loofah is also divided into many types, and suitable loofah varieties should be selected according to local conditions. Greenhouse loofah is suitable for low-temperature and low-light, high-yield varieties, such as snake loofah. In the north, loofah with strong growth ability is needed, such as stick loofah. In the south, suitable loofah is suitable for warmth-loving, heat-tolerant varieties, such as fresh flower loofah. Do not choose blindly, otherwise it will affect your own interests.
2. Planting Time
Spring: Spring loofah is generally planted around Qingming Festival, but in the south the weather warms up faster, so planting can begin around the Start of Spring.
Summer: Summer loofah is generally planted in May and June, and can be supplied to the market in July and October. This time can be chosen according to market conditions. It should be noted that because summer sunlight is strong, loofah with strong heat tolerance needs to be selected, such as fresh flower loofah.
Autumn: Autumn loofah can generally be sown after the summer loofah harvest is complete. More suitable for autumn are ridged loofah, green-skinned loofah, etc.
Winter: Winter loofah generally begins in November. Because winter temperatures are lower, loofah planting is generally carried out in greenhouses. Temperature and light must be well controlled in the greenhouse; these factors are important conditions for loofah growth.
3. Seedling Methods
Seed soaking and disinfection: Before sowing, loofah seeds need to be sun-dried for 2-3 days, soaked in trisodium phosphate for 15 minutes for disinfection, then placed in warm water at about 70 degrees and stirred. When the water temperature drops to 25 degrees, soak for about 5 hours.
Germination: Place the loofah seeds after soaking and disinfection at about 30 degrees to begin germination. They need to be rinsed with water every day until the seeds show white, and then they can be sown.
Sowing: Loofah is generally sown directly; the survival rate of transplanting is very low. Put about 3 seeds in each seed hole, at a depth of about 2cm. After sowing, cover with soil and water, and cover with dry grass to retain moisture.
Seedling management: About 5 days after sowing, seedlings will grow. At this time, the temperature should be appropriately lowered, and if insufficient moisture is found, water regularly, as well as later pest and disease prevention.
It should be noted that if the loofah tastes bitter when eaten, it means the loofah has already spoiled and can no longer be eaten. Spoiled loofah can cause poisoning. During the growth period of loofah, there are still many problems to pay attention to, such as pests and diseases. To learn about loofah pests and diseases, continue to follow Qinnong Web.