What causes yellowing bitter melon leaves? Detailed explanation of prevention and control methods
Bitter melon is a popular vegetable in summer. Although it tastes bitter, it has effects such as clearing heat and relieving summer heat, tonifying the kidney and strengthening the spleen, and is deeply favored by consumers in summer. Because of its bitterness, it has very few pests and diseases, so its planting area is also constantly expanding. However, during cultivation, the phenomenon of leaves turning yellow and withering is often encountered. Let's take a look together below with Qinnong Network.
1. Nutrient deficiency
During the growth of bitter melon, if it lacks nitrogen, it will lead to fewer leaves, and yellowing will gradually begin from the lower part of the leaves upward. At the growth nodes, there is an obvious symptom of shortened internodes, the veins protrude and turn yellow, and finally the entire leaf turns yellow. When fruiting, there are few fruit-bearing plants, expansion is slow, and the fruit is prone to deformities.
Prevention and control methods: Master fertilization techniques, apply fertilizer at the right time and in the right amount, and especially pay attention to the application of nitrogen fertilizer. Fertilization should also pay attention to the application amount. Before flowering and fruiting, the plant needs relatively few nutrients for growth, so fertilization should be applied at this time; after flowering and fruit setting, the amount of fertilization should be appropriately increased to ensure successful fruit setting; during the fruiting period, both plant growth and fruiting require large amounts of nutrients, so heavy application is needed; in the late fruiting stage, the plant begins to age, so appropriate fertilization is needed to prevent premature aging from causing poor fruit growth.
2. Excessive water accumulation
Bitter melon has many lateral roots and a well-developed root system, so it likes moist environments, but it is not tolerant of waterlogging. It grows relatively quickly at around 85% humidity and in a suitable soil environment. However, if there is too much water accumulation in the soil, it can easily cause root rot, thereby causing leaves to yellow and wilt.
Prevention and control methods: When watering, it should depend on the plant's growth condition and the climate. In dry climates and when the soil is dry, water in time to supplement moisture, while in rainy weather, do a good job of drainage and waterlogging prevention to prevent water accumulation.
3. Natural aging
The bitter melon plant grows like a vine. It has lush branches and leaves and extremely strong branching ability. In the late growth stage, due to rapid growth, nutrient supply cannot keep up, causing some bitter melon leaves to turn yellow.
Prevention and control methods: Prune in time. Promptly remove lateral vines growing below 50 cm, leaving only 1-2 robust lateral vines to ensure nutrient supply and allow them to grow. In the late fruiting stage, promptly remove aging yellow leaves and thin, weak lateral branches in time to reduce partial nutrient consumption and thereby affect fruiting.
4. Pests and diseases
Many pests and diseases can cause yellow leaves in bitter melon, such as anthracnose, root-knot nematode disease, and gummy stem blight. During the development of these diseases, some of their conditions can cause yellow leaves in bitter melon.
Prevention and control methods: Strengthen pest and disease prevention and control work, strengthen management, and promptly deal with yellow leaf phenomena when found. Observe carefully to determine which disease is causing the yellow leaf phenomenon, then apply the right treatment and remove them in time.
The above are the causes of yellowing bitter melon leaves and prevention and control methods brought to you by Qinnong Network. We hope it can help you. To learn more about bitter melon cultivation techniques, please stay tuned to Qinnong Network.