In early spring, the use of plastic greenhouses for growing bitter gourd allows cultivation to begin more than 20 days earlier than in open fields. This method not only offers high economic returns but also brings significant social benefits. Below are the semi-contribution cultivation techniques that can help maximize yield and quality.
1. **Soil Preparation**
The greenhouse should be built in mid-January, followed by deep plowing of the soil. Mix 6 parts of fresh garden soil with 4 parts of fully decomposed organic fertilizer. Add 0.1–0.2% superphosphate and 0.3% wood ash, mixing thoroughly. To prevent soil-borne diseases, disinfect the soil by diluting 200–300 ml of formalin in 1000 kg of soil, mix well, cover it for 2–3 days, then leave it open for 5–7 days before use. Alternatively, mix 8 grams of 70% pentachloronitrobenzene powder and 65% zinc sulfate per 15 kg of soil, and apply this when sowing.
2. **Container Seedling Cultivation**
Bitter gourd seedlings are best grown in containers. Place the containers flat on the seedbed, fill them with prepared soil, and ensure the container mouths are level. Fill any gaps between containers. For germination, select strong, heat-resistant seeds. Soak the seeds in warm water (around 55°C) for over 12 hours, then cool and wash them. Use a damp cloth to gently crack the seed coat, wrap them, and keep them at around 30°C until they sprout. Sow the seeds when they reach about 3 mm in length, 5–6 days before planting.
3. **Seedling Management**
Maintain daytime temperatures between 25–30°C and nighttime temperatures between 17–20°C during the early growth phase. After emergence, reduce temperature slightly to 23–25°C during the day and 15–18°C at night. Ensure proper ventilation, especially on cloudy or rainy days, and increase airflow during sunny afternoons. Seedlings can be transplanted when they have one leaf and one heart, typically 7 days before planting.
4. **Water and Fertilizer Management**
Keep the seedbed soil loose and moist while minimizing humidity. Water sufficiently before planting, and avoid watering after seedlings emerge unless necessary. If top-dressing is needed, spray 0.2% potassium dihydrogen phosphate and 0.3% urea solution 1–2 times before transplanting.
5. **Disease Prevention**
During the seedling stage, damping-off disease is common. Apply 75% chlorothalonil at 600 times dilution or 50% carbendazim at 500 times dilution as a preventive measure.
6. **Transplanting**
By mid-March, when seedlings are 25–30 days old and have 3–4 leaves, they can be transplanted. Choose fertile loamy soil with good drainage and rich in organic matter. Prepare the field by deeply tilling in autumn, and add 3000–4000 kg of decomposed manure, 50 kg of superphosphate, and 100 kg of wood ash. Plant the seedlings with cotyledons exposed, and water immediately after planting.
7. **Field Management**
After transplanting, gradually lower the greenhouse temperature to 20–30°C during the day and 15°C at night. Ventilate when temperatures exceed 30°C, and remove the “skirt film†gradually. In summer, remove the plastic completely, except for the roof if needed. Top-dress with decomposed animal urine and liquid fertilizers to promote vine growth and fruit development. Regularly monitor moisture levels and irrigate every 2–3 days during flowering and fruiting.
8. **Weeding and Cultivation**
Perform the first cultivation 4–5 days after root water is applied, loosening the soil to 7–10 cm. A second cultivation two weeks later, at 3–5 cm depth, should include weeding. Avoid cultivating once the plants are established, focusing instead on manual weeding.
9. **Vine Training and Pruning**
Tie vines every 30 cm after 9 a.m., and prune side shoots regularly. Keep only one main vine and one lateral vine for flowering. Remove lower yellow leaves as the plant matures.
10. **Pest and Disease Control**
Common diseases include anthracnose and powdery mildew. Treat with 50% thiophanate at 800 times or 75% chlorothalonil at 600 times. For wilt disease, use 50% carbendazim at 500 times or 36% thiophanate-methyl at 400 times. Apply 5% Jinggangmycin at 1000–1600 times or 90% Diocesone at 500 times when diseased plants are found.
11. **Harvesting**
Harvest bitter gourds early, as low temperatures slow fruit development. Harvest when fruits are full, shiny, and show slight color fading. Early harvesting ensures better quality and marketability.
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