The latest tutorial on luffa seedling cultivation methods and techniques

Luffa is heat-tolerant but not cold-tolerant. The optimal temperature for seed germination is 25-35°C, and the optimal temperature for seedling growth is higher than that of other cucurbits, at 25-30°C. It has relatively high temperature requirements. For early-maturing cultivation, luffa is generally raised in electrically heated seedbeds, with a seedling age of 30-40 days. It can be transplanted when it has 4-5 true leaves. The suitable sowing period can be calculated backward from the transplanting date. Let us take a look at luffa seedling cultivation techniques below!

Variety selection for luffa

For luffa, choose varieties that are high quality, high yielding, good in marketability, and suitable for the market. For winter-spring cultivation, choose long club-shaped varieties for markets facing Hong Kong, China, Macao, China, and South China, such as Bilu, Shuangqing, and Lüwang. For summer-autumn cultivation, choose short club-shaped varieties for the local island market, such as Thai luffa.

Seed treatment for luffa

1. Disinfection and seed soaking treatment

① Room-temperature seed soaking: Put the seeds into room-temperature water and wash them clean, then change the water and soak the seeds for 3-5 hours.

② Warm water seed soaking: Put the seeds into warm water at 50°C-55°C, keep the water temperature uniform, and soak the seeds for 15-20 minutes. Let cool to room temperature, take them out and wash them clean, then put them into room-temperature water and soak for 3-5 hours. This is mainly to kill pathogens on the seed coat surface.

③ Chemical seed soaking: Soaking with 50% procymidone: First soak the seeds in clean water for 1-2 hours, then soak them in a 1500-fold aqueous solution of procymidone for 10 minutes, remove and wash clean, then put them into room-temperature water and soak for 2-3 hours. This mainly prevents and controls luffa gray mold.

2. Seed germination method: Whether to germinate or not depends on the temperature conditions. After disinfection and soaking, remove the seeds and wash them clean, then place them under variable or constant temperature at 25°C-30°C with moisture retention for germination.

Sowing methods for luffa

1. Sowing period: Choose a suitable sowing period according to the cultivation season, temperature conditions, and market demand. For sowing practice, it is best to choose a sunny day. For film-mulched cultivation, make the holes as small as possible to avoid the film being lifted when the wind is strong.

2. Sowing rate: According to the planting density of luffa, generally 800-1200 plants are planted per mu of field, with 2 seeds sown per hole, and the seed amount used is about 350-500 grams.

3. Sowing method: The survival rate of transplanted luffa is relatively low, so direct sowing is generally used. In March-April, prepare the land and make beds about 3 m wide. After the seeds are soaked and germinated, sow two rows on both sides of the bed surface. With a plant spacing of 35 cm, open holes and sow 3 seeds per hole. About 300-450 grams of seeds are needed per hectare. For single-row planting, the plant spacing is 30-50 cm, sow 2 seeds per hole at a depth of 1-2 cm, place the seeds flat, and the field water-holding capacity of the soil should preferably be 75%. If it is too dry, water a little. After sowing, cover with dry grass to preserve heat and moisture.

4. Post-sowing management

① Thinning and final singling: For open-field directly sown luffa, thinning is generally carried out at the seedling stage when there are 3-4 true leaves, leaving one strong seedling per hole, and watering with fertilizer 2-3 times. For film-mulched cultivation, after final singling, water with fertilizer 1-2 times, then use dry fine soil to press the openings firmly.

② Fertilizer and water management: When vines begin to run, combine with earthing up and apply the first heavy fertilizer. Use 1000 kg of decomposed farmyard manure, 20 kg of cake fertilizer, and 20 kg of NPK compound fertilizer per mu. Mix well and apply into the cultivation furrow. At the full fruiting stage, apply the second heavy fertilizer, with 20 kg of NPK compound fertilizer and 10 kg of potassium chloride per mu. At the late fruiting stage, supplement fertilizer appropriately 3-4 times, applying 10 kg of NPK compound fertilizer or 20 kg of cake fertilizer per mu.