Luffa Seed Selection and Seed Saving Methods, plus Germination and Seedling Raising Techniques
Luffa is one of the most common vegetable crops. In rural areas, many friends like to grow a few plants in their own courtyards. Luffa is a warmth-loving, heat-tolerant crop with strong adaptability and does not have strict requirements for soil. When farmers grow luffa, the most important thing is raising seedlings, so how do you select and save luffa seeds? What are the seedling raising methods? Let's take a look together below.
1. How to select and save luffa seeds?
1. Seed selection
The outer shell of luffa seeds is very hard, so when farmers buy luffa seeds, they must choose plump, full seeds. Seeds with no mold and no yellowing on the surface.
2. Seed saving
For saving luffa seeds, the root gourd should be kept, because the root gourd sets fruit early, grows for a long time, has plump seeds, and its offspring also set fruit early. If a long-shaped luffa keeps the root gourd as the seed gourd, because the seed gourd is too long and drags on the ground, it often rots, so the gourd set just above the trellis should be kept as the seed gourd, and a slender luffa with both ends equally thick is best for gourd shape. The seed gourd should be left until the skin turns brown, hardens and dries out before harvest, then placed indoors to after-ripen.
2. How to germinate luffa seeds?
1. Soak luffa seeds in 50-degree water for 5-8 hours, then place them on a moist cloth or paper. Pay attention to the moisture of the paper or cloth: it must not drip, but it also must not be too dry.
2. Cover with moist paper or cloth to shade from light.
3. The suitable temperature for luffa seed germination is around 28-30 degrees, so be sure to keep warm at night.
4. Generally speaking, the germination rate of direct-seeded luffa is relatively low, especially in early spring, so it is best to sow only after germination and white sprouting. If raising luffa seedlings for transplanting, they must be transplanted before the first true leaf appears, otherwise the survival rate will be affected. Seedlings emerge 4-5 days after sowing, and can be planted out 3 days after emergence.
5. Also worth noting is that after soaking luffa seeds, if you use a cloth to blot the water from the seed coat, then air-dry them for 1 hour, and then place them in a container lined with soaked paper or cloth and cover with soaked paper or cloth for germination, the effect will be even better.
After luffa seeds are soaked, the permeability of the seed coat affects the germination rate and germination vigor of the seeds. Only after blotting the water from the seed coat and air-drying for a certain period can the permeability of the seed coat be improved, thereby increasing its germination rate and germination vigor.
3. Luffa seedling raising methods
1. Variety selection
For luffa seeds, choose varieties that are high quality, high yielding, good in marketability, and suitable for the market. For winter-spring cultivation, choose long stick-shaped varieties aimed at the markets of Hong Kong, China, Macao, China and South China, such as Bilu, Shuangqing, Luwang, etc. For summer-autumn cultivation, it is suitable to choose short stick-shaped varieties aimed at the local island market, such as Thai luffa, etc.
2. Sowing time
Winter-spring cultivation is usually sown from November to January-February of the following year, and harvested and marketed from December to April of the following year. Summer-autumn cultivation is usually sown from June to September, and harvested and marketed from July to November.
3. Seed treatment
To prevent seeds from carrying pathogens and improve germination uniformity, seed treatment should be done well before sowing. Sunning seeds can promote after-ripening and increase the germination rate. Generally, sun the seeds for 2-3 days before soaking. For seed disinfection, soak seeds in 10% trisodium phosphate for 20 minutes. For soaking and germination, soak seeds in warm water at 60°C-70°C for 10-15 minutes. Stir constantly while soaking; when the water temperature drops to about 30°C, continue soaking for 4-6 hours. Then remove the seeds and place them under conditions of 28°C-30°C for germination, rinsing with clean water 1-2 times a day, including the clean gauze used to wrap the seeds. After about 3-4 days, once the seeds show white sprouts, they can be sown.
4. 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 g 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 too dry, water a little. After sowing, cover with dry grass to keep warm and moist.
5. Seedling stage management
During the seedling stage, keep the temperature at 25°C-32°C during the day and 18°C-20°C at night to encourage the seedlings to emerge quickly. Generally, all seedlings emerge in 4-6 days. After the seedlings emerge, lower the temperature appropriately, controlling it at around 22°C-28°C during the day and around 15°C at night. If moisture is insufficient during the seedling stage, water appropriately or spray water. Be careful not to flood-irrigate, and also pay attention to the prevention and control of pests and diseases. When the seedlings grow 2-3 true leaves, after about 30-35 days, they can be planted out.
The above is the introduction to luffa. Because fruit shape, fruit skin, fruit color, etc. differ, farmers should choose luffa varieties according to different consumer markets.
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