How to grow gourds?

 How to grow gourds?

First, control the temperature of the gourd growing environment. Gourd is a temperature-loving crop. The seeds will start to germinate at 15°C. The optimum growth temperature is 20-25°C. There will be more flowering at low temperatures, and the fruiting rate will be low, and the growth and development of 9-10°C will be hindered. stem, strong water absorption capacity, luxuriant branches, and a large amount of transpiration. Water should be irrigated in time in case of drought. The most water is needed during the flowering and fruiting perio uit development and before harvest.

Gourd melon has a well-developed root system and a vine-like stem, which can grow up to 3 to 4 meters in length and has strong branching. The leaves are simple, alternate, and the leaves are heart-shaped with hairs on them. Dioecious. Sometimes it produces bisexual flowers, but the fruit is often deformed and has no edible value.

The flowers are white and usually bloom at night and in the evening or early morning when the sun is weak, so it is also called "night blooming". Male flowers mostly live on the middle and lower part of the main vine, while female flowers mostly live on the upper part of the main vine. Lateral vines can produce female flowers from the 1st to 2nd node, so the side vines are the main fruit.

Gourd fruit can be harvested 10 to 20 days after flowering. Its tender peel and placenta are tender and juicy, and are edible; mature skin hardens, and placenta tissue is also dry and inedible. Ornamental gourd or small gourd. The fruit is only about 10 cm long, with a thin waist or a long fruit neck. The number of chromosomes of the 5 varieties is 2n=22, and they can be crossed with each other.

Harvesting at the right time can improve the quality of the fruit and promote the continued fruiting of the upper part and the growth of subsequent melons. This is an important measure for early maturity and high-yield cultivation. When the young melon hairs basically fall off and the skin color becomes lighter, it is the suitable harvest period. Generally, the harvest time of the first batch of melons is the day after flowering.

Fruits that are ripe but not yet lignified in autumn, are peeled for use. The mature fruits are harvested in autumn, the seeds are taken out, washed, and dried in the sun.

In the husk, take the old ripe fruits in the late autumn and early winter, cut open, get out the core seeds, smash them, and dry them in the sun. The stems, leaves, flowers, summer and autumn are harvested and dried.

 How to grow pot gourd

1. Tool preparation

First, you need to prepare some gourd seeds, preferably smaller varieties, because they will grow more beautiful. Secondly, you need to prepare a medium-sized flower pot and soil, and finally tools such as shovels.

2. Sowing

The seedlings of gourds can be bought directly, but because you plant on the balcony, you will need only one or two plants, so it is more convenient for you to plant them directly. Mix the soil evenly and place it in a flowerpot, then pour some water on the surface, not too much, just slightly moist, and then put about three or four gourd seeds on it, and then cover it with a layer of soil.

3. Picking seedlings

When the seeds have grown to a height of about ten centimeters after germination, the weak seedlings can be removed, and two better-growing ones can be kept. Because the same flowerpot can maintain the nutrient requirements for the growth of the stems and leaves of two small gourds at most, too dense planting is not conducive to the growth and fruiting of the stems in the later stage.

4. Management

Gourd is a kind of plant that likes water very much, so it needs sufficient water in the seedling and growth period. At the same time, it needs to add some fertilizers, and the light should be as sufficient as possible, so that more flowers and flowers can be bloomed in the later period. Bear more fruit. Such a small gourd crawling all over the window sill has grown.

The value of the gourd

In the eyes of the ancients, the gourd’s small mouth and big belly can well absorb the good aura in the house, and can effectively restrain and deter the bad aura, thereby creating a suitable home environment. Therefore, in ancient times, the rich and powerful families often provided a few natural gourds in their homes and placed them in the middle hall. There are many themes about gourds in ancient auspicious patterns, such as "children and grandchildren", "wandai panchang" and so on.

Some folk houses have gourds hung under the roof beams, which are called "top beams." It is said that after this measure, their homes are safer and smoother; people who are more demanding use red string to tie five gourds, called "top beams". Five Blessings". In the rural areas of Taiwan, there is a proverb, "One hulk in the house will make the family rich." Put a gourd on the bedside to promote the relationship between husband and wife.

 This feature is precisely combined with the human worship of primitive motherhood and the desire for children to reproduce. Borrowing things to express emotions, so people love and worship the gourd. Thus, many corresponding myths and stories of auspicious Furui were derived. Passed down from generation to generation, the gourd has become a trustworthy mascot in people's minds for increasing longevity, reducing prosperity, eliminating evil, protecting happiness, and protecting children.

How to grow gourd seeds? 

1. Soak the gourd seeds in water first, because the skin of the gourd seeds is very thick and the water is difficult to absorb, so it is best to soak them for a period of time before planting.

2. Choose a good piece of land to provide nourishment for the growth of gourd seeds.

3. Use an iron tree to dig a few small holes, the holes should not be too deep. Then put the soaked gourd seeds in a small pit and bury them with soil. The soil should not be too thick, otherwise the gourd seeds will be deprived of oxygen and will not grow well.

4. After planting the gourd seeds, be sure to water them frequently. If there is a long-term lack of water, the gourd will not come out.