How to grow Momordica cochinchinensis? A detailed guide to the latest cultivation methods
Momordica cochinchinensis is also called fanmubie, laoshu la donggua, and so on. It is a perennial herbaceous vine, and its main medicinal part is its mature seeds, which have the effects of reducing swelling and dispersing nodules, and removing toxins. In China it is mainly distributed in Jiangsu, Taiwan, China, Guangdong, Guizhou, Yunnan, and other places. So do you know how Momordica cochinchinensis is grown? What are the key points of cultivation? Then today let us learn together about the artificial cultivation techniques for Momordica cochinchinensis.
1. Field selection and preparation
Momordica cochinchinensis has low soil requirements. Generally, as long as the drainage is good, the soil is fertile, and the texture is moderately clayey, either sandy loam or clay soil can be used for planting. Before sowing, the land must be selected and prepared. First, add 35010 kg of farmyard manure, 100 jin of phosphate fertilizer, and 2000 kg of stable manure per mu; then carry out land preparation, mixing the soil and base fertilizer evenly; then break up the soil clods and make beds about one meter wide, with drainage ditches opened around them and connected to one another; finally, level the bed surface, and then you can wait to plant.
2. Sowing and raising seedlings
Before planting, Momordica cochinchinensis needs to be raised as seedlings, usually through hotbed seedling raising or nutrient pot seedling raising. The sowing time is from late February to early March each year. Before sowing, soak the seeds in warm water, remove them after twenty-four hours, then place them in an environment at about 28 to 32 degrees for germination, and finally sow and raise seedlings in batches. During the seedling raising process, keep the moisture of the seedbed or nutrient pots; it is best to build an arched shed, which can play a role in keeping warm and moist. After the Momordica cochinchinensis seedlings emerge, ventilate and cool them in time, and remove the arched shed about one week after emergence. When the Momordica cochinchinensis seedlings grow their first true leaf, apply topdressing appropriately, generally by watering with dilute manure and urine water.
3. Transplanting and field planting
Generally, after the Momordica cochinchinensis seedlings grow three or four true leaves, we can transplant and plant them, around the period from late March to early April. When pulling up the seedlings, be careful not to damage the plants, otherwise the survival rate of the seedlings will be affected. It is best to keep some of the base soil attached, so the planted seedlings are more likely to survive. When planting, generally plant at a row spacing of 60 cm and a plant spacing of 40 cm.
4. Field management
During the growth process of Momordica cochinchinensis, its water and fertilizer requirements are relatively large, so reasonable topdressing, watering, and even drainage are needed. Especially during the flowering and fruiting periods of Momordica cochinchinensis, we should pay even more attention. During the seedling stage, topdressing is usually applied by watering with manure and urine water, or by watering with urea; then after each harvest of tender shoots, apply a phosphorus and potassium fertilizer; after flowering, apply potassium fertilizer once or twice; finally, in order to let Momordica cochinchinensis overwinter safely, overwintering fertilizer also needs to be applied, generally mainly farmyard manure; remember to water after each topdressing. About half a month after field planting of Momordica cochinchinensis, carry out intertillage and weeding; when Momordica cochinchinensis grows to about 30 cm, build supports or a trellis; when Momordica cochinchinensis grows to about 50 cm, carry out pruning and pinching to increase the fruit-setting rate.
5. Pest and disease control
During its growth process, Momordica cochinchinensis is also harmed by pests and diseases, among which the main ones are powdery mildew, Aulacophora femoralis, and melon fruit fly, and so on. First of all, we should do a good job in field management, which is very effective in preventing the occurrence of pests and diseases. After pests and diseases occur, we can use triadimefon, trichlorfon, and fenvalerate respectively for control.
The process of artificially cultivating Momordica cochinchinensis is basically like this, and I believe everyone has basically understood it clearly. Due to limited time and energy, its field management techniques have not been explained to everyone in detail. If you need them, you can follow us, or leave a message below for consultation.