How to Grow Trichosanthes kirilowii Well? Detailed Explanation of Key Cultivation Techniques
Many people are not familiar with Trichosanthes kirilowii (Mongolian snakegourd). It is actually a medicinal herb and also a fruit that can be eaten directly, but it should not be eaten in large amounts, since after all, every medicine has some toxicity. Secondly, its medicinal effects are mainly used to treat symptoms such as gastrointestinal discomfort, itchy and sore throat, as well as blood pressure and blood lipids issues. Nowadays, we rarely see Trichosanthes kirilowii, but because some people have become wealthy by growing it, many others want to get a share of the pie. So QinNong.com brings you the cultivation methods for Trichosanthes kirilowii, hoping they will be useful to you.
1. Selecting Good Seeds
Although Trichosanthes kirilowii is not commonly seen, that does not mean no one grows it. After many years of cultivation, many varieties have been developed for different weather and soil conditions, such as Southern Trichosanthes, Ren Trichosanthes, Japanese Trichosanthes, and Sichuan-Guizhou Trichosanthes. Among them, the best in quality and yield is Ren Trichosanthes, so for general planting it is recommended to choose Ren Trichosanthes. Of course, there are special circumstances where we need to choose based on the planting site and weather changes. It is best to plant a mix of two to three varieties, which can improve quality and yield to a certain extent.
2. Selecting and Preparing the Land
Trichosanthes kirilowii has poor waterlogging resistance, so we should try not to choose plots with standing water or many depressions in the soil. The best is sandy soil that is relatively loose, rich in nutrients, and with sufficient sunlight, as such land is more suitable for its growth. When preparing the land, deep plowing is needed, and the soil should be broken up finely. The most important thing is to level it; any depressions that might cause water accumulation must be filled in. Finally, spread about five thousand jin of organic fertilizer per mu evenly over the prepared land, then deep plow the land again so the fertilizer can be fully utilized. Lastly, level it again and dig furrows at intervals of about one and a half to two meters, which is beneficial for later management.
3. Reasonable Sowing
The sowing time of Trichosanthes kirilowii depends on the sowing method. If direct seeding with seeds is used, sowing is generally done around September in autumn, with each plant spaced one and a half to two meters apart. If root division sowing is used, sowing is done in March and October each year, with each plant spaced thirty cm apart. So the sowing method can be chosen according to personal habits as well as the growth speed and survival rate of Trichosanthes kirilowii.
4. Fertilizer and Water Management
During the entire growth process of Trichosanthes kirilowii, under normal circumstances fertilization and watering are needed twice a year, and each watering and fertilization is combined with cultivating and weeding. Each time, weeds must be removed first, then fertilizer applied, and finally watering done. This ensures normal and rapid growth of Trichosanthes kirilowii during this period. The first fertilization mainly uses urea, and the second mainly uses boron fertilizer. Finally, during the rainy season, we must promptly drain standing water from the field, otherwise it will cause the plants to develop diseases or even die.
5. Field Management
Field management is also a relatively important part during the growth period of Trichosanthes kirilowii. This includes cultivating and weeding, trellising, pruning branches and leaves, artificial pollination, and pest and disease control. Trellising is generally needed when the seedlings grow to about thirty cm. We mainly use a herringbone-shaped trellis so the plants can grow along it and naturally form the shape of a gourd shed. Pruning branches and leaves is done after Trichosanthes kirilowii begins to bear fruit, which can enhance ventilation and light penetration in the field. Secondly, it can also reduce nutrient consumption, allowing more nutrients to be used by Trichosanthes kirilowii. The natural fruit-setting rate of Trichosanthes kirilowii is very low, so artificial assisted pollination is needed to increase the fruit-setting rate. We can pollinate through bee colonies or pollen collection methods. Finally, the main pests and diseases of Trichosanthes kirilowii are anthracnose and melon fruit fly, which we can control using chlorothalonil and trichlorfon respectively.