What should be noted when growing bitter melon?
What should be noted when growing bitter melon? Please provide guidance. The following points should be noted when growing bitter melon: 1. Sowing and seedling raising. With different varieties combined, bitter melon can be sown from mid-February to mid-July. Because its seed coat is relatively thick, before sowing you can soak the seeds in warm water at 50-60°C for 10 minutes, stirring constantly, then soak them in ordinary water for 12 hours...
What should be noted when growing bitter melon? Please provide guidance
The following points should be noted when growing bitter melon:
1. Sowing and seedling raising
With different varieties combined, bitter melon can be sown from mid-February to mid-July. Because its seed coat is relatively thick, before sowing you can soak the seeds in warm water at 50-60°C for 10 minutes, stirring constantly, then soak them in ordinary water for 12 hours. After removing them, germinate them at 30-35°C. Once 2-3 have sprouted, they can be sown individually. The seedling stage is about 20-30 days. Spring-sown bitter melon can be covered with a small arch shelter for warmth, while summer-sown bitter melon can be direct-sown, but raising seedlings and transplanting makes management during the seedling stage easier.
2. Timely transplanting
When the seedlings have 3-4 true leaves, choose a sunny afternoon to transplant. Generally the bed is 2 m wide, planted in double rows, with a plant spacing of 30-35 cm, and 2 plants per hole. Summer-sown bitter melon has a short growth period, so the density can be appropriately increased. Because bitter melon seedlings are delicate, they should not be planted too closely. After transplanting, water them in to help them quickly resume growth. Bitter melon should not be grown continuously on the same land; interplanting with leafy vegetables can be adopted.
3. Field management
1. Pruning and vine training. Bitter melon mainly bears fruit on the main vine, so side vines should be removed in time. If fertilizer and water conditions are good, a few side vines can be kept later. Alternatively, when the main vine grows to 1 m, pinch off the growing tip and keep two side vines to bear fruit. When bitter melon sends out vines and grows tendrils, set up a trellis or arched frame in time, and train the vines on a sunny afternoon. Also appropriately prune old leaves, yellow leaves, and diseased leaves at the base of the plant to improve ventilation.
2. Reasonable fertilization. Bitter melon is tolerant of fertilizer but not of poor soil, so sufficient base fertilizer must be applied. Generally, 1200-1500 kg of decomposed farmyard manure and 25-30 kg of superphosphate are applied per mu. Topdress three times throughout the growing period: the first topdressing when the plant begins to produce male flowers; the second when it begins to bear fruit; and the third after the first harvest, when it enters the full fruiting stage. Each time, apply 25 kg of compound fertilizer per mu.
3. Timely drainage and irrigation. When bitter melon enters the peak growth stage, pay attention to timely watering during hot and dry seasons, and in the rainy season pay attention to drainage to avoid waterlogging, which can cause root burning.
4. Pest and disease control
1. Diseases. The main disease of bitter melon is anthracnose. When diseased plants are found, pull them out in time, and spray with 50% carbendazim-anthracnose or 50% thiophanate-methyl wettable powder at 500 times dilution, once every 5-7 days, for 3-4 consecutive times.
2. Pests. The main pests of bitter melon are mites, melon fruit flies, and aphids. (1) To control mites, spray leaves with 40% dicofol at 1000 times dilution; (2) to control melon fruit flies, spray with 25% fenvalerate at 8000 times dilution; (3) to control aphids, spray the undersides of leaves with 50% dimethoate at 600 times dilution.
5. Harvest
Harvest in time. Generally about 12-15 days after flowering, when the fruit has fully grown, it can be harvested. Bitter melon can be stored for 20-30 days at a temperature of 1-2°C and a relative humidity of 85-90%.
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