When to Plant Loofah? A Detailed Guide to Planting Time and Seedling Methods
As a climbing vine plant, loofah has cooling, detoxifying and blood-activating medicinal effects, and its taste is sweet and delicious, with a very savory soup as well. Mature old loofah can also be used to wash dishes, with very good results. It is loved by many households. Today, the editor brings you the planting methods and timing for loofah.
1. Variety Selection
Loofah also comes in many types, and you should choose a suitable loofah variety according to local conditions. Loofah grown in greenhouses is suited to varieties that tolerate low temperatures and little light and are high-yielding, such as snake loofah. For planting in the north, you need loofah with strong growth ability, such as stick loofah. Suitable loofah for the south is suited to varieties that like warmth and tolerate heat, such as fresh flower loofah. You cannot choose blindly, otherwise it will affect your own interests.
2. Planting Time
Spring: Spring loofah is generally planted around Qingming Festival, but because temperatures in the south warm up faster, planting can begin around the start of spring.
Summer: Summer loofah is generally planted in May and June, and can be supplied to the market in July and October. This timing can be chosen according to market conditions. It should be noted that because summer sunlight is stronger, you need to choose loofah with relatively strong heat tolerance, such as fresh flower loofah.
Autumn: Autumn loofah can generally be sown right after the summer loofah harvest is finished. More suitable for autumn are ridged loofah, green-skinned loofah and others.
Winter: Winter loofah generally begins in November. Because winter temperatures are lower, loofah is generally grown in greenhouses, and temperature and light must be well controlled in the greenhouse, as these factors are important conditions for loofah growth.
3. Seedling Methods
Seed soaking and disinfection: Before sowing, the loofah seeds need to be sun-dried for 2-3 days, soaked in trisodium phosphate for 15 minutes for disinfection, then placed in warm water at about 70 degrees and stirred, and when the water temperature drops to 25 degrees, soaked for about 5 more hours.
Germination: Place the loofah seeds that have been soaked and disinfected at about 30 degrees to begin germination, and rinse them with water every day until the seeds show white, then they can be sown.
Sowing: Loofah is generally sown directly, as transplanting has a very low survival rate. Put about 3 seeds in each seed hole, at a depth of about 2 cm. After sowing, cover with soil and water, then cover with dry grass to retain moisture.
Seedling stage management: About 5 days after sowing, seedlings will emerge. At this time, the temperature should be lowered appropriately, and if insufficient moisture is found, water regularly, along with later pest and disease prevention.
It should be noted that if loofah tastes bitter when eaten, it means the loofah has spoiled and can no longer be eaten; spoiled loofah can cause poisoning. During the growth of loofah, there are also many issues that need attention, such as pests and diseases. To learn about loofah pests and diseases, continue to follow Qinnong Web.