How to grow Cucurbita maxima? Detailed explanation of planting techniques and management points

1. Climate: The growth temperature is 10°C to 35°C, and the optimal temperature for growth and fruit setting is 18°C to 25°C. Seedlings are more tolerant of low temperatures than other cucurbits and can endure short-term low temperatures of 3°C to -5°C, but they develop poorly when kept below 10°C for a long time or above 35°C. Plants like sunlight in spring, and prolonged rainy weather easily leads to disease.

2. Sowing: In the south, sow in March; in the north, in April; in the cold regions of Northeast China, early May is suitable. Row spacing is 70 cm, plant spacing is 50 cm, and when growing in pots, keep only 1 plant per pot. In the south, direct sowing in the open field is possible; in the north, it is better to raise seedlings in protected areas 1 month in advance and then transplant.

3. Seedling raising and transplanting: Apply decomposed farmyard manure into the seedling bed, dig and level it finely, and water thoroughly. When sowing, the plant and row spacing is 8 cm. After sowing, cover the seeds with 1 cm of fine sandy soil, and build a plastic arch shed over the seedling bed for heat preservation during seedling raising.

Keep the bed at 25°C to 30°C during the day and not lower than 15°C at night, and seedlings will emerge in 5 days. After the seedlings emerge evenly, choose a sunny morning at 9 to 10 o'clock to uncover the shed for ventilation and hardening. Water less during the seedling stage to avoid lowering the seedbed temperature. When the seedlings have 3 true leaves and there has been no frost for one week, choose a sunny day to transplant. Water each seedling with one large bowl of water, and after the water seeps in, seal the planting hole with fine soil. After transplanting, try not to use flood irrigation, so as not to lower the soil temperature and affect the growth of young seedlings.

4. Management: Temperature has a great influence on the growth of seedlings. In the north, when low temperatures occur, plastic arch sheds should be used promptly to cover and keep warm. If the temperature remains below 10°C for a long time, there are few or even no male flowers on the vines; if it remains above 35°C for a long time or is too dry, there are few or even no female flowers on the vines. In early spring there are few insects, so the first few female flowers should be hand-pollinated on a sunny morning with a clean brush. When growing on a large scale in plastic arch sheds, it is best to release bees in the shed to assist pollination.

5. Fertilization: For farmyard manure, decomposed human, livestock, and poultry manure is best. For a small number of indoor potted plants, applying leftover steamed buns or waste bone and meat scraps is also acceptable. Dig holes 10 to 15 cm away from the roots and bury the fertilizer, paying attention to applying small amounts multiple times. During the fruit-setting period, the amount of fertilizer should be appropriately increased.

6. Pest control: The stems and leaves of Cucurbita maxima are covered with long, stiff fine hairs, making it difficult for pests to approach. Occasionally aphids or cabbage caterpillars harm the leaves. Use pesticides such as dichlorvos or fenpropathrin diluted with water at 1:1000 and spray the leaves with pests. For potted plants or small-scale cultivation, cigarette butts can be soaked to make tobacco water and sprayed on the leaves with pests.

News source: Science Popularization China · Rural e-Station

EditorYanying

ProofreaderYan Xia

Final reviewYi Jun

Operations staff: Dong Min MZ011