What are the precautions for growing Kangua (a type of squash)?

Many of us may not know Kangua; it is actually a variant of pumpkin, and their growing habits, cultivation methods and other aspects are basically similar. The biggest difference is that pumpkins are generally harvested whole, while Kangua is mainly harvested by cutting. Kangua is extremely rich in nutritional value, but there is not much Kangua on the market, which is why it is not commonly seen. So today, let's learn together with QinNong Net about what needs attention when growing Kangua.

1. Time

Since Kangua does not have very high requirements for the natural environment and soil, it can be grown in most areas of our country. But if you want high yields, you still need to pay attention to the planting time. Generally, it can be planted in spring and autumn, but there will be certain differences in different places. In normal areas, planting is generally done in March and at the end of July each year, while in Guangzhou and other places it is planted in March and October, and in a few areas it is planted in November each year. So the specific time must be chosen according to your own location for timely sowing.

2. Temperature

Kangua does have certain temperature requirements. For example, if the seeds are to germinate, it is best to keep the temperature at around 20 to 28 degrees, as the seeds will sprout much faster and the germination rate will also be higher. Secondly, during the growth process of Kangua, it is best to maintain the temperature at around 25 degrees, which can promote its growth cycle, help it enter the flowering stage faster, and finally increase the fruit-setting rate of Kangua.

3. Fertilizer and water

Fertilizer and water management is a very important point in Kangua cultivation. Scientific fertilizer and water management can determine the yield and quality of Kangua, so we should pay more attention to this. Fertilization for Kangua is actually carried out in batches. This is mainly because its harvesting method also determines its fertilization method and frequency. The first fertilization is one week after Kangua is planted, mainly nitrogen fertilizer, to promote the growth of the seedlings. The second is during the peak growth period of the Kangua seedlings, which can promote its growth cycle and help it enter the flowering stage. Then there is the third fertilization, that is, flower fertilizer, mainly potassium fertilizer and phosphorus fertilizer. Finally, there is the more important fruit-strengthening fertilizer, for which we mainly use boron fertilizer. Of course, fruit-strengthening fertilizer needs to be applied multiple times, that is, fertilization is also needed after each cutting harvest, which in a sense also belongs to fruit-strengthening fertilizer. Also, watering is done after each fertilization.

4. Management

The main things to pay attention to in Kangua management are trellising, vine pruning, leaf pruning and pollination. The trellis needs to be about 1.8 to 2 m tall, mainly made of wooden sticks, with one set up beside each seedling, and then ropes are used to connect each trellis so that they climb and grow along the ropes on the trellis. After Kangua sets fruit, we must pay attention to slightly removing some of the vines and branches and leaves next to unstable fruits, which can avoid nutrient consumption and also allow sufficient photosynthesis. There is also the matter of pollination. Since Kangua is cross-pollinated, it needs a pollination medium. During rainy seasons, when bees and insects are less active, we need to carry out artificial assisted pollination, so as to increase the fruit-setting rate of Kangua.

5. Harvesting

When harvesting Kangua, note that the first batch of fruits should be harvested whole after they mature, and only when the second batch sets fruit should the cutting harvest method be used, because the automatic healing ability of the second batch of fruits is stronger than that of the first batch. After cutting, they can heal immediately and continue growing, but the first batch cannot. Therefore, in order to increase yield, the second fruits are generally kept.