How to Grow Jiangua (Cut-and-Grow Squash) from Seed? A Detailed Guide to the Latest Planting Method
Jiangua is a variety of Chinese pumpkin, a new type of squash that can be cut and eaten piece by piece and regenerates rapidly. Its growth characteristics and cultivation techniques are basically the same as those of ordinary pumpkins. Unlike pumpkins, Jiangua needs trellising after the vines start climbing. It has low requirements for the natural environment and soil, and can be planted in both spring and summer. In production and cultivation, it is mainly propagated by seed. Now let's take a look at how to grow Jiangua from seed!
Seed Soaking and Germination
Jiangua is generally direct-seeded in open fields, but to bring it to market earlier, seedling transplanting can also be used. Before soaking, sun the seeds for 2-3 hours, then scald them in 55°C hot water for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. After the water temperature drops, change to clean water and soak the seeds for 8-10 hours. During this time, scoop them out and rinse once, then change to clean water and soak again. Then place them in a 28°C constant-temperature chamber to germinate before sowing.
Soil Mix Preparation
For Jiangua seedling cultivation, the nutrient soil mix ratio is 5 parts fertile, pest- and disease-free garden soil, 3 parts fully decomposed compost, and 2 parts fine sand or peat, mixed thoroughly and evenly. Add 100 g of Lüheng No. 3 and 100 g of trichlorfon per 1 cubic meter, cover with plastic film and pile to ferment for 2 days. After filling the pots, arrange them neatly and water thoroughly. Place 1 germinated seed flat in each pot and cover with 0.8 cm of fine soil.
Seedling Stage Management
Cover the Jiangua seedbed with plastic film to keep warm and moist. Before emergence, the temperature should preferably be kept at 25-30°C. After emergence, remove the film depending on the temperature, keeping it at 25-30°C during the day and 16-18°C at night. If the temperature is still low after emergence, replace with new film that has good light transmission. When the daytime temperature meets the requirement, remove the film to let in light, or open both ends for ventilation, and cover it again when the nighttime temperature is low.
Disease Prevention at the Seedling Stage
When the Jiangua seedlings grow true leaves, spray with 0.1% potassium dihydrogen phosphate plus 0.05% dichlorvos once every five days. When the seedlings grow three true leaves, the spray concentration can be appropriately increased, and add 75% chlorothalonil wettable powder at 1000 times dilution to prevent and control anthracnose and root rot. After 2 true leaves, the covering can be removed. When the seedlings have 3 leaves and 1 heart, they can be transplanted.
Land Preparation and Transplanting
Before transplanting Jiangua, prepare the land well and apply sufficient base fertilizer. Apply the base fertilizer in furrows. Use 4000 kg of decomposed organic fertilizer per mu, plus 50 kg of ternary compound fertilizer and 30 kg of potassium sulfate. For scattered planting, it is best to dig large holes for transplanting, apply base fertilizer, then transplant. For field planting, the density is 100-120 cm between rows and 60-80 cm between plants. Plant 600-1000 plants per mu, depending on soil fertility. Plant more on poor soil and fewer on fertile soil. Water after transplanting.