Management techniques for greenhouse loofah

The management technology of greenhouse loofah in winter is also very important, so let me tell you the key points of greenhouse loofah management:

1. Seedling grafting

Generally, nutrient pots or nutrient soil are used for seedling cultivation. Every 667 square meters of greenhouse requires 3500 to 4000 loofah seedlings. Soak the seeds in warm water for 3 to 4 hours before sowing, and then put them at 30℃ for germination. They will germinate in 4 to 5 days. Place one germinated seed in each pot, and soak the seedling pot fully before planting. The soil should not be too thick after sowing, generally 1 to 1.5 cm. Seedling cultivation can be carried out in the greenhouse. Pay attention to keep the seedbed moist, the humidity should not be too high, and the temperature should be controlled at 25 to 30℃. Soak the seeds of black pumpkin and loofah at the same time for germination, and graft them 7 to 9 days after sowing. After survival, retain the root system of loofah. When the seedlings grow 2 to 3 true leaves, they can be planted at 30 to 35 days old.

2. Land preparation, fertilization and planting

Before planting, the soil should be irrigated with sufficient water, and sufficient basal fertilizer should be applied in combination with deep tillage. Generally, 4000kg of high-quality decomposed organic fertilizer, 40kg of diammonium phosphate, and 50kg of potassium chloride should be applied per 667 square meters, and the soil should be carefully prepared. After land preparation, small ridges should be built with a large row spacing of 80cm, a small row spacing of 50cm, and a plant spacing of 36-40cm for transplanting. In early November, holes should be dug, watered, and planted according to the plant and row spacing, and then the ground film should be covered and holes should be punched to lead the seedlings out of the film.

3. Management after transplanting

After transplanting and before fruiting, in order to increase the ground temperature and promote vine growth, weeding should be strengthened to promote root development. During this period, 2-3 times of seedling fertilizer should be applied in combination with watering. Decomposed human feces or urea can be applied. No side vines should be left before flowering and fruiting. When the vines grow to more than 30cm, they should be hung with plastic ropes in time.

4. Management of fruit bearing period

After the loofahs are formed, they gradually enter a vigorous growth period, with large growth of branches and leaves and many fruits. It is necessary to strengthen the management of fertilizer and water, pruning, artificial pollination, and greenhouse temperature.

1. Fertilizer and water management. Every 8 to 10 days, apply fertilizer once in combination with watering. Apply 300 to 500 kg of human feces and urine or 15 to 20 kg of urea per 667 square meters each time, and apply 10 to 15 kg of triple compound fertilizer at intervals. Sponge gourds like humidity. During the vigorous fruit-bearing period, the ground should always be kept moist but not wet. If it is dry and lacks fertilizer during this period, the fruit will easily melt or become deformed.

2. Pay attention to pruning. Prune and prune in time, leaving 5-6 leaves for one melon. Remove excess male flower buds, tendrils and deformed melons. When the main vine grows to a certain height, remove the yellowed old leaves at the bottom in conjunction with the falling vines to facilitate ventilation and light transmission, concentrate nutrients, and promote fruit hypertrophy.

3. Artificial pollination. In the evening or morning, select newly opened male and female flowers, or use a brush to dip male pollen and apply it on the stigma of the female flower. Generally, it is done when there is no dew to increase the success rate of pollination.

4. Use 2.4-D to tighten the melon stem and protect the melon.

5. Intertillage and weeding. In the early stage of loofah growth, intertillage should be carried out to loosen the topsoil and remove weeds, but the intertillage should not be too deep to avoid damaging the roots.

6. Maintain the greenhouse temperature. The greenhouse temperature should be maintained at 25-30℃ during the day and above 10℃ at night, and pay attention to ventilation and light transmission.

5. Pest and disease control

The main diseases of loofah include viral diseases, downy mildew, anthracnose, blight, brown spot disease, etc. The main insect pests include greenhouse whiteflies, aphids, American leafminers, etc. High-efficiency and low-toxic pesticides should be used for timely prevention and control.