High-yield cultivation technology of bitter melon

The ideal temperature range for bitter melon seeds to germinate is 30-35 degrees Celsius, while the optimum temperature for bitter melon seedlings to grow is about 20-25 degrees Celsius. During the flowering and fruiting stage, bitter melon requires a temperature of 20-25 degrees Celsius to ensure a high flowering and fruit setting rate, thereby improving yield and quality. Bitter melon has high requirements for light and does not like weak light or dark environments. During the flowering period, sufficient light helps to improve the yield and quality of bitter melon. Let’s learn about the high-yield cultivation technology of bitter melon.

1. Seed soaking and germination

First, dry the bitter melon seeds in the sun for 2-3 days. Next, place the seeds in warm water at about 55 degrees Celsius, stir and soak evenly until the water temperature drops to about 30 degrees Celsius. At this point, stop stirring and continue soaking for about 8 hours. After the seeds have fully absorbed water, take them out and rinse them, wrap them in clean wet gauze, and place them in an environment of 30-33 degrees Celsius for germination. Wash the seeds once a day with warm water at 30-33 degrees Celsius. After about 3-4 days, most of the seeds will germinate and are ready for sowing and seedling raising.

2. Scientific transplanting and colonization

The seedling period of bitter melon is usually 30-35 days. Seedlings emerge about a week after sowing, and two true leaves grow after half a month. When the seedlings grow to 15-20 cm in height and have 4-5 true leaves, they can be transplanted and planted. 15-20 days before transplanting, prepare the land in advance and apply sufficient base fertilizer to ensure that the soil is fertile. Fertilization is mainly organic fertilizer , supplemented by chemical fertilizer. About 5,000 kg of decomposed farmyard manure and 50-60 kg of superphosphate are applied per mu. After fertilizing, water, build raised ridges and cover the ground with film about 7 days in advance.

When transplanting, plant at a density of 60-80 cm between rows and 35-40 cm between plants. To avoid root damage, it is recommended to dig up the seedlings and plant them with soil. After planting, water thoroughly. After planting, water the seedlings in time according to the soil moisture. Maintain a temperature of 25-30 degrees Celsius during the day and 15-18 degrees Celsius at night to promote seedling survival.

3. Build a trellis to guide vines

Set up the trellis and guide the vines on a sunny afternoon. Select 2-3 side vines that are growing well and lead them onto the rack. The main vine stands upright, and the side vines lead to the sides. Cut off other side vines 50-80 cm from the ground at the base of the main vine and the weak, short, dense and withered branches and leaves above the main vine to concentrate nutrients and create a good ventilation and lighting environment.

4. Water and fertilizer management

From planting to flowering, water as little as possible when the soil is not dry. If the soil is dry or the seedlings grow weakly, you can spray it with 0.3-0.5% urea water or 10-15% manure water 1-2 times, once every 7-10 days, or water the roots with urea water or manure water.

It is recommended to adopt an integrated water-fertilizer method, with topdressing and watering carried out at the same time. Bitter melon needs light fertilizer and water during the seedling stage, and heavy fertilizer and water during the flowering and fruiting stage. After flowering, when a melon is planted and the young melon begins to swell, start applying more fertilizer and watering. During the entire growing period, top dressing is generally required 2-3 times. Each time you apply top dressing, you can use 10 kg of urea + 15 kg of potassium sulfate + 10 kg of superphosphate, and apply top dressing once every 10-15 days in combination with watering, or apply 20-25 kg of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium compound fertilizer per mu each time. You can also apply top dressing once every time you pick melons.

The above is an introduction to the key points of high-yield cultivation techniques of bitter melon. If you do a good job of field management when planting bitter melon, it is not particularly difficult to improve the quality.