Key Points and Precautions for Spring Cultivation of Bitter Gourd
1. Select good varieties and raise seedlings at the right time. For spring planting of bitter gourd, choose high-yielding, highly efficient, high-quality hybrid varieties. For example: Yuefeng No. 1, Bilu No. 2, Lvbaoshi, etc., bred by the Provincial Academy of Agricultural Sciences. Sow and raise seedlings when the daily average temperature is stable above 10°C. Aim to sow early at the right time to extend the vegetative growth period. Use nutritional cups (bags...
1. Select good varieties and raise seedlings at the right time. For spring planting of bitter gourd, choose high-yielding, highly efficient, high-quality hybrid varieties. For example: Yuefeng No. 1, Bilu No. 2, Lvbaoshi, etc., bred by the Provincial Academy of Agricultural Sciences. Sow and raise seedlings when the daily average temperature is stable above 10°C. Aim to sow early at the right time to extend the vegetative growth period. Raise seedlings in nutritional cups (bags), and choose a sheltered, sunny plot near a water source and convenient for management as the seedbed. Once the seeds sprout and show white, they can be sown by dibbling, with the root tip pointing down, gently pressed into the nutritional soil, and a 40-50 cm arched bamboo frame set up, covered with plastic film to retain heat and moisture, protect against cold, and raise strong seedlings. Remove the film one week before transplanting to harden the seedlings.
2. Apply sufficient base fertilizer and transplant at the right time. For base fertilizer, generally use 1500 kg of decomposed farmyard manure, 25 kg of phosphate fertilizer, and 10 kg of potassium fertilizer. Mix the above fertilizers evenly and apply them into the holes, then cover with a thin layer of fine soil. Before sowing, first prepare the land. Make beds 2 m wide including the ditch, with two rows per bed, row spacing 120 cm, and hole spacing 40 cm. Generally, 1100-1400 plants per mu is suitable. Transplant when the seedlings have 3-4 true leaves. Three to five days after transplanting, apply diluted human manure water as "send-off fertilizer."
3. Set up trellises and guide vines, and topdress at the right time. When the seedlings begin to send out vines, use a herringbone-shaped bamboo trellis. When the vines begin to climb, manually tie and guide the vines onto the trellis. After guiding the vines onto the trellis, remove the side vines growing below 40 cm on the stem base, and appropriately remove overly dense old leaves and weak upper side vines to improve ventilation and light penetration. For topdressing, water-soluble fertilizer is better, and apply frequently and lightly to promote early and rapid seedling growth. After flowering and fruiting, topdress once, generally using 20-25 kg of compound fertilizer per mu. During the melon-picking period, topdress once every 7 days, which can extend the harvest period.
4. Prevent and control diseases and pests. A 600-fold solution of chlorothalonil powder can be used to prevent powdery mildew, and an 800-fold solution of trichlorfon can be used to prevent melon fruit fly, tobacco cutworm, and other diseases and pests.
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