How to manage loofah during the peak fruiting period? Key points explained

??? Loofah is deeply loved by people for its unique fragrance and rich nutrition. Midsummer is exactly the peak fruiting period for loofah. Below are the management points for loofah during this period, in the hope that they can help vegetable growers.

I. Trellising and vine hanging

Trellis and hang the vines to maintain good air permeability of the trellis. Loofah fears high-temperature weather the most, and high temperatures can easily cause fruit abortion, so the trellis should be set up well, the space for stem vine extension should be increased as much as possible, the vines should be kept from folding, and good air permeability of the trellis should be maintained. This helps the differentiation of female flowers, increases the fruit-setting rate, and maintains the attractive appearance of the fruits.

II. Scientific management of fertilizer and water

After entering the fruiting period, the requirements for water and fertilizer are relatively high. Generally, water once every 3 to 4 days, preferably in the morning and evening. Combined with watering, apply fruit-promoting fertilizer. Fully decomposed peanut cake or soybean cake can be applied (deep application in furrows), together with compound fertilizer such as urea, phosphate fertilizer and potassium sulfate. The topdressing amount should be determined according to the plant growth vigor and the use of base fertilizer. Fertilization should follow the principle of "small meals more often."

III. Removing male flowers and tendrils

Loofah is a cross-pollinated crop. Because the flowering period of male inflorescences is relatively long, about 30 to 40 days, a large amount of nutrients is consumed during this period. Therefore, removing excess male inflorescences as early as possible can save nutrients and supply them for female flowers to bear fruit. Method of thinning male flowers: starting from the appearance of female flower buds, remove 80% of the male inflorescences on each loofah plant, and retain 20% for pollination. Tendrils play the role of climbing and securing branches and vines in vining crops. Loofah tendrils take a relatively long time from emergence to vine pulling, consume more nutrients, and are not conducive to bearing more fruits and good fruits. Removing tendrils and using artificial tying to replace their climbing function is beneficial to the plant's photosynthesis, the production and accumulation of nutrients, and the prevention and control of pests and diseases, enabling loofah to pollinate and set fruit well and achieve a abundant harvest. Method of removing tendrils: in the early growth stage of loofah plants, adopt the method of removing tendrils while tying, guide the vines onto the trellis, and after the vines are evenly distributed and fixed on the trellis, remove the tendrils at any time along with vine training.

IV. Timely prevention and control of pests and diseases

Loofah mainly suffers from phytophthora blight, downy mildew, powdery mildew, aphids, melon worm, and melon fruit fly. As long as they are controlled in time, there is no major problem. For example, for phytophthora blight, spray 72% Kelu at 800 times dilution or 70% mancozeb at 800 times dilution; for downy mildew, spray 58% Ridomil at 600 times dilution or 72% Kelu at 750 times dilution; for powdery mildew, spray 20% triadimefon at 2000 times dilution.