Detailed Explanation of Cultivation Techniques and Planting Management Methods for Bottle Gourd

Bottle gourd is an annual vining herbaceous plant of the Cucurbitaceae family. Its flavor is fairly mild, and in China it is used to make soup. In mature bottle gourds, the flesh can be scooped out and the shell used as a container, and bottle gourd also has certain medicinal value: basically the entire plant can be used as medicine, with therapeutic effects on a variety of diseases. So how should bottle gourd be cultivated? Below, the editor brings you the cultivation techniques for bottle gourd. Let's take a look!

1. Seed selection and seedling raising

There are many types of bottle gourd, though their yields are all about the same. The differences in varieties are mainly determined by factors such as the cultivation region and climate environment, so we should select good varieties according to these factors. After selecting the varieties, begin raising seedlings. Sowing is usually carried out around the Beginning of Spring each year, and before sowing, the seeds must be soaked and pre-germinated. Wait until the seeds sprout, then sow and raise the seedlings. During the seedling stage of bottle gourd, pay attention to controlling the temperature and improving the permeability of the seedbed. Keep the soil in a moist state. When the seedlings have grown for about one month, they can be transplanted; one week before transplanting, carry out low-temperature hardening of the seedlings.

2. Land preparation and fertilization

Before transplanting, first do a good job of land preparation. Choose a sandy soil field rich in organic matter for transplanting, but the plot should be one where no cucurbit crops have been planted for at least two years. After harvesting the previous crop, clean the field in time, deep-plow and disinfect the soil, and do this together with the base fertilizer work. For the base fertilizer, generally use fully decomposed farmyard manure, then control the amount of base fertilizer according to the soil area. Also make beds in the field to facilitate later irrigation, drainage and management, then lay down plastic film to improve the soil's ability to retain fertilizer and water.

3. Plant adjustment

Although bottle gourd is a vining plant, it can also be grown without trellising. If not trellising, then you need to do a good job of pressing the vines to prevent strong winds from scattering the branches and vines. If trellising is used, then when the seedlings have grown to about 35 cm, set up an “A”-shaped trellis. Also do a good job of guiding the vines onto the trellis, then as the seedlings grow, tie the vines in time to promote even growth of the plant. Moreover, bottle gourd mainly sets fruit on the secondary vines or on more distant generations of vines, so we should pinch off the growing tips in time to promote the growth of new vines.

4. Fertilizer and water management

The growth vigor of bottle gourd is relatively weaker than that of other cucurbit vegetables, and because bottle gourd has a long growth period and its fruiting positions are relatively concentrated, in addition to applying enough base fertilizer before planting, we must also water and topdress appropriately. When topdressing, pay attention to the amount, mainly applying more frequently but in small amounts. The number of topdressings should not be fewer than four, and topdressing should also be done after harvest to promote the growth of new gourds. Bottle gourd has a relatively large water requirement, so we must keep the soil moist and water in time, especially during the fruiting period. If dry weather occurs, water once a day. However, do not overwater. If watering is excessive or if rainy weather occurs, drain in time to prevent root rot.

Harvesting bottle gourd also has certain requirements. Timely harvesting can improve the quality of bottle gourd, increase the growing space for new gourds, and raise the yield. It is the key to ensuring high yield and expanding the economic benefits of planting. Well, that is all for today's introduction. This article is for reference only. Friends who want to learn more related information, please continue to follow us!