Hualu Loofah is a newly developed hybrid variety bred by the Seed and Seedling Center of South China Agricultural University. This variety is known for its early maturity, with spring planting leading to harvest in approximately 50 days, and autumn planting yielding results in about 40 days. The main vine produces continuously and has strong fruiting ability. The fruit measures 60–65 cm in length, with a uniform shape, dark green skin, shallow furrows, and excellent commercial quality. Each fruit weighs around 400 grams, with tender and sweet flesh. It exhibits good heat tolerance, strong resistance to diseases, and high yield, reaching 3,000–5,000 kg per mu.
Here are the key cultivation techniques:
1. **Planting Season**: For spring planting, it's best to sow between late February and mid-April. Autumn planting should be done between July and August. Summer sowing in May or June may result in lower yields due to longer sunlight hours, higher temperatures, and more female flower nodes.
2. **Seedling Cultivation**: In spring, seedlings can either be transplanted or directly sown. Early spring planting should use mulch film to protect against cold. For summer and autumn, broadcasting is recommended.
3. **Field Preparation**: Choose fields that have not been used for melon crops in the past three years, preferably rice fields or well-drained, fertile land. Before planting, prepare the soil thoroughly, adding 1,000–1,500 kg of composted manure and 50 kg of compound fertilizer as base fertilizer. Plant in rows with a width of 1.8 meters, two rows per bed, spaced 40 cm apart, totaling about 1,800 plants per mu.
4. **Field Management**:
- **Fertilization**: Apply top dressing when female flowers appear. After fruiting, apply nitrogen and potassium fertilizers, using one round of fertilizer for 1–2 harvests. During the later stages, focus on nitrogen with some potassium added.
- **Vine Training and Pruning**: Once the vines start growing, they should be supported using a "person" frame or a zigzag pattern. Vines shorter than one meter should be removed, while those longer than one meter can be allowed to grow on trellises or pruned appropriately.
- **Pest and Disease Control**: Common diseases include downy mildew and powdery mildew. Pests such as Liriomyza sativae and Huangshougua can be managed using conventional chemical treatments.
By following these practices, farmers can maximize the yield and quality of Hualu Loofah, making it an ideal choice for both commercial and small-scale farming.
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