Latest Prices of Loofah Seeds and Detailed Guide to Cultivation Methods

Loofah is also known as sheng gua, cai gua, diao gua, etc. It is an annual climbing vine of the genus Luffa in the Cucurbitaceae family, widely cultivated in temperate and tropical regions of the world. It is commonly cultivated throughout northern and southern parts of China, with wild populations in southern Yunnan. The fruit is a summer vegetable and can be served cold, stir-fried, braised, made into soup, or juiced. Let us take a look at loofah seed prices and cultivation methods together!

How much does a jin of loofah seeds cost?

The price of loofah seeds is approximately 40 to 150 yuan per jin, but prices vary greatly depending on the variety, quality, place of origin, season, market, and other factors. Loofah can be planted in spring, summer, autumn, and winter. For winter-spring cultivation, sow from November to January-February of the following year, and harvest for market from December to April of the following year. Long rod-shaped varieties should be chosen, such as Bilu, Shuangqing, and Lüwang. For summer-autumn cultivation, sow from June to September, and harvest for market from July to November. Short rod-shaped varieties should be chosen, such as Thai loofah.

Cultivation Conditions for Loofah

1. Light: Loofah is a short-day crop that prefers relatively strong sunlight and is relatively tolerant of weak light. During the seedling stage, short-day conditions and large temperature differences are favorable for female flower bud differentiation. Throughout the growth period, short-day conditions and high temperatures are favorable for flowering and fruit setting, young fruit development, and increased yield.

2. Temperature: Loofah is a temperature-loving, heat-tolerant crop. The suitable temperature for growth and development is 20 to 30°C, the suitable temperature for seed germination is 28 to 30°C, and germination is rapid at 30 to 35°C.

3. Water: Loofah prefers moisture and is afraid of drought. It grows well when soil moisture is relatively high with a water content above 70%, and grows slowly below 50%. Air humidity should not be less than 60%, and at 75 to 85% it grows quickly and sets many fruits.

4. Soil: Loofah has relatively strong adaptability and is not strict about soil requirements. It can be cultivated in all types of soil, but loam or sandy loam with deep soil layers, high organic matter content, good aeration, and strong water and fertilizer retention capacity should be chosen as the best option.

Planting Time for Loofah

1. Spring loofah: For spring loofah, in the north loofah is generally planted around Qingming Festival, while in the south the weather warms earlier and is suitable for loofah cultivation, so loofah can be planted as early as February.

2. Summer loofah: Summer loofah is planted from late April to early July, and harvested for market from June to October, but this time period can be adjusted according to local conditions.

3. Autumn loofah: Autumn loofah is best planted in August to September. Ridged loofah varieties suitable for autumn planting include Chunfeng Loofah, Xiaxuan Loofah, and Yalu No. 1 Loofah, while common loofah varieties include Changdu Water Loofah and Qingpi Loofah.

4. Winter loofah: In winter, the time for planting loofah in greenhouses is around November, and it can be harvested from February to March of the following year, but it is necessary to ensure that the greenhouse has good lighting and insulation performance to meet the growth requirements of winter loofah.

Seedling Raising Methods for Loofah

1. Seed soaking and disinfection: Before soaking loofah seeds, sun-dry them for 2 to 3 days. For disinfection, soak the seeds in 10% trisodium phosphate for 20 minutes, then soak them in warm water at 60 to 70°C for 10 to 15 minutes with constant stirring. When the water temperature drops to 30°C, continue soaking for 4 to 6 hours.

2. Germination method: After soaking and disinfecting loofah seeds, remove them and place them under conditions of 28 to 30°C for germination. Rinse with clean water 1 to 2 times per day, including the clean gauze used to wrap the seeds. After about 3 to 4 days, once the seeds show white sprouts, they can be sown.

3. Sowing method: Loofah has a relatively low transplant survival rate, so direct sowing is generally used. Sow 2 to 3 seeds per hole at a depth of 1 to 2 cm, with the seeds laid flat. The field water holding capacity of the soil should be about 75%. If too dry, water lightly. After sowing, cover with dry grass to keep warm and retain moisture.

4. Seedling management: Loofah generally emerges completely in 4 to 6 days. After the seedlings emerge, the temperature should be appropriately lowered. If moisture is insufficient during the seedling stage, water appropriately or spray water, and also pay attention to pest and disease control. When the seedlings grow 2 to 3 true leaves, they can be transplanted.

Cultivation Methods for Loofah

1. Site selection and land preparation: The land used for loofah production should be sandy loam with deep soil layers, fertile soil, convenient drainage and irrigation, and a neutral to slightly acidic pH. Poor and thin soil is not suitable. During land preparation, generally spread 50 to 100 kg of lime per mu to adjust soil acidity and alkalinity.

2. Timely transplanting: Choose a sunny day for transplanting loofah. Before transplanting, apply sufficient base fertilizer. Generally, use 5000 kg of high-quality farmyard manure, 80 to 120 kg of superphosphate, and 25 to 30 kg of urea per mu, then plow deeply for 20 cm. After raking level, build beds and plant about 2800 seedlings per mu.

3. Trellis construction: Loofah planted in the field must have trellises. Bamboo, wood, or cement poles can be used as posts. The trellis height should be about 2 m. The top of the trellis should be woven vertically and horizontally with thin nylon rope into squares, and it must be able to withstand the weight of fresh gourds and the impact of strong winds and heavy rain.

4. Fertilizer and water management: Loofah has a relatively high fertilizer requirement. When vines begin to run, apply the first heavy fertilizer combined with earthing up. During the full fruiting period, apply the second heavy fertilizer. In the late fruiting period, apply supplemental fertilizer 3 to 4 times as appropriate, applying 10 kg of compound fertilizer or 20 kg of cake fertilizer per mu.

5. Flower and fruit preservation: In loofah cultivation, some female flowers should be thinned. Generally, the female flower at the first node often produces malformed fruits and should be removed in time. From 5 to 6 PM, manual supplementary pollination can be used to increase the fruit-setting rate. When the fruit is about 30 cm long, pay attention to hanging the fruit and straightening the fruit.

6. Timely harvest: Loofah has strong continuous fruiting ability, and during the peak fruiting period the fruits grow quickly. If planted properly, it can be harvested once every 2 to 3 days. Harvesting should be done in the morning, cutting from the fruit stalk with a tool. Do not pull or pick by hand, so as to avoid breaking the branches and vines.

Pest and Disease Control for Loofah

1. Loofah cottony leak

[Damage] The damage period of loofah cottony leak is divided into the seedling stage and the fruiting stage. After being affected, it causes fruit rot.

[Control] Agricultural control is primary, focusing on complete three-ditch systems, reducing field humidity, and balanced fertilization, preventing excessive or heavy application of nitrogen fertilizer. For chemical control, spray with 1:2:200 Bordeaux mixture. During the fruiting period, when there is much cloudy and rainy weather and high humidity, prevent early and frequently.

2. Loofah downy mildew

[Damage] When the disease occurs, a large number of leaves wither and die, directly affecting the yield and quality of loofah fiber.

[Control] For agricultural control, appropriately increase phosphorus and potassium fertilizers. When the disease is first observed, promptly remove diseased leaves. For chemical control, 500 times metalaxyl can be used for early root drenching. At the initial stage of disease, spray with 2000 times dimethomorph, once every 7 days, for 1 to 2 consecutive treatments.

3. Loofah viral disease

[Damage] Loofah viral disease can be transmitted through aphids, farming operations, and sap contact.

[Control] Select disease-tolerant varieties, cultivate disease-free strong seedlings, transplant appropriately early, and promptly control aphids. At the early stage of disease, spray 20% Virus A wettable powder 500 times solution or 5% Junduqing aqueous solution 500 times solution.

4. Loofah phytophthora blight

[Damage] The pathogen comes from seeds or soil and spreads through wind, rain, and irrigation water.

[Control] Select disease-resistant varieties, implement crop rotation, and choose fields with moderate elevation and convenient drainage and irrigation. At the initial stage of disease, spray 40% phosethyl-Al 200 times solution or 75% chlorothalonil 500 times solution, once every 7 days, for 2 to 3 treatments.

5. Loofah powdery mildew

[Damage] The pathogen overwinters on diseased plant residues. During the growing season, large numbers of conidia are produced on the lesions and spread by wind and rain. July to August is the peak period of disease occurrence.

[Control] In late June, spray 1:1:200 Bordeaux mixture once for prevention. In early July, spray 25% triadimefon 500 times solution once every 5 to 8 days, for 2 to 3 consecutive treatments.

6. American serpentine leafminer

[Damage] The larvae mine and feed on the leaf mesophyll within the leaves, forming curved white tunnels, affecting normal plant growth. In severe cases, it can cause large numbers of fallen leaves and flowers, and premature aging of the plant.

[Control] Clean the field and promptly remove sporadically affected leaves in the field. Control agents include 0.25% Shengban 1500 times solution or 1.0% Abamectin 1500 times solution. Note to rotate and alternate their use.