How to grow the variable-color gourd? A detailed explanation of the key cultivation techniques
The variable-color gourd, also called the golden mango gourd, is a herbaceous edible vegetable gourd. The variable-color gourd comes in many different colors, and from a distance it looks like a rat, so it is also called the rat gourd. The variable-color gourd has a certain nutritional value and is a rather exotic vegetable gourd with a certain nutritional value, and a certain area of it is also cultivated in our country. So how should the variable-color gourd be cultivated? Below, the editor brings you the cultivation techniques for the variable-color gourd. Let's take a look together!
1. Site selection and land preparation
The root system of the variable-color gourd is very well developed, so its requirements for soil are relatively low, and it can grow normally in most soils. However, if you want to increase the yield, it is still best to plant it in sandy soil with a good drainage and irrigation system. It is also not suitable for continuous cropping; the previous crop is best a grain crop such as wheat or corn. After selecting the land, deep plow the soil in autumn and winter, with a depth of no less than 20 cm, to mature the soil, increase the moisture content, and kill pathogens and insect eggs, then apply sufficient base fertilizer, and do the ridging and pressing work well in early spring. Pay attention to whether there are residual herbicides in the soil; if there are, remove them in time to prevent pesticide damage to the variable-color gourd during cultivation.
2. Seed soaking and sowing
Before sowing, first do the work of soaking and sprouting the seeds. First put the seeds into warm water of about 50 degrees and stir, for about 12 minutes. When the temperature drops to about 35 degrees, soak the seeds for about 7 hours. Then take them out with a wet cloth and place them in an environment at about 25 degrees to sprout. Wash them once a day with warm water of about 30 degrees, until the germination rate reaches 85% and small sprouts grow, only then can they be sown. When sowing, pay attention to the depth; it must not be too deep, keeping it at about 10 cm is enough, and the temperature must not be lower than 8 degrees or higher than 10 degrees. Control the sowing density well, dig the planting holes well, place the seeds flat to promote root establishment, and after sowing cover with fine soil to retain water and fertilizer.
3. Building trellises and tying vines
Because the variable-color gourd is a vining plant, trellises are needed to help the variable-color gourd grow. Start building the trellis when the variable-color gourd seedlings grow to about 24 cm. Before building the trellis, carry out one round of cultivation and weeding, and do it together with watering, to help stabilize the trellis. Pay attention to the distance between the trellis poles and the seedlings; they must be at least 8 cm apart. Using the ""-shaped trellis method is the most stable. After building the trellis, do the vine-tying work well. When tying the vines, remove the tendrils of the gourd to reduce the height of the plant and prevent excessive vegetative growth. Proper vine tying can improve the growth of the variable-color gourd and ensure the yield.
4. Adjusting the plant
Plant adjustment of the variable-color gourd is essential work during cultivation, because proper adjustment can change the plant's leaf area and growth space. Improving the growth of the variable-color gourd and reducing nutrient consumption, so that nutrients are concentrated in the gourds, is beneficial for enhancing the quality and yield of the variable-color gourd. Thin flowers and fruits in time to ensure the number of flowers and fruits does not exceed what the plant can bear, and when the leaves of the variable-color gourd increase, promptly remove the growing point of the main vine to prevent reproductive growth and promote vegetative growth. There are many methods for adjusting the plant, mainly determined according to the plant's growth condition and tree shape.
The above is the editor's brief introduction to the cultivation techniques for the variable-color gourd. Cultivating the variable-color gourd is actually not difficult. However, because there are currently not many people or much area cultivating it in our country, there is not yet a fully mature cultivation technique. And during growth, management is also very important; these are all things everyone needs to pay special attention to before planting. That is all for today's introduction. This article is for reference only. Thank you all for reading and supporting.