High-yielding Cultivation Techniques of Pumpkin Seedlings
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Pumpkin seedlings, once a rare and local delicacy, have now become a popular specialty vegetable in both urban and rural markets. These tender shoots, including the young stems, leaves, petioles, and even flower buds, are highly valued for their unique flavor and nutritional benefits. Unlike many other vegetables, pumpkin seedlings are typically grown without the need for pesticides, making them a clean and healthy choice for consumers.
To successfully cultivate pumpkin seedlings, farmers follow several key techniques:
1. **Selecting the Right Variety**: It's essential to choose suitable pumpkin varieties for seedling production. Local types such as pillow melon, long melon, and yellow melon are commonly used. Avoid short varieties, as they do not produce the desired tender growth.
2. **Soaking and Germinating Seeds**: Before planting, pumpkin seeds should be sun-dried for two days. Then, they are placed in 50°C hot water and stirred continuously until the temperature drops to around 30°C. Soak the seeds for 15–20 minutes, then let them cool naturally and continue soaking for 7–12 hours. Afterward, maintain a germination temperature of about 30°C, and sprouting usually occurs within two days.
3. **Preparing the Soil**: Choose well-drained soil with a low water table and high fertility. The planting area should be 1.5 meters wide, with trenches 30 cm wide and 15–20 cm deep. Ensure proper drainage by digging ditches on all sides.
4. **Timely Sowing**: To extend the harvesting period, sowing is usually started in March and can continue in batches up to August. Plant seeds at 20 cm intervals, with 10 cm between each hole, placing two seeds per hole. Water after sowing and cover with 2 cm of nutrient-rich soil.
5. **Fertilizing Properly**: Apply a generous base fertilizer before planting—around 2,000 to 2,500 kg of well-rotted cow manure or 2,500 to 3,000 kg of composted farm waste, along with 20 kg of phosphate fertilizer per acre. After sowing, thoroughly soak the soil with decomposed manure or biogas slurry, then cover with mulch and press it down with soil. Once the seedlings emerge, allow them to grow under the mulch. Use well-rotted organic fertilizers and ensure continuous feeding to promote fast and healthy growth. After each harvest, apply nitrogen fertilizer to encourage the development of new axillary buds.
6. **Harvesting at the Right Time**: Harvest when the seedlings reach 40 cm in height and have 5–6 true leaves. Cut the top portion, leaving 1–2 leaves at the base to encourage regrowth. When the axillary buds grow to 40 cm, they can be harvested again. To boost yield, spray a 80 mg/kg "920" solution 5–7 days before each harvest. This can increase production by over 30% and reduce the formation of coarse fibers at the base, resulting in softer, more tender, and higher-quality seedlings.
By following these steps, farmers can successfully grow and harvest pumpkin seedlings, offering a nutritious and appealing product to the market.