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GALAXY F1 |
It can be planted year round. It can grow well at optimum temperature of 16 to 24 UC but it can thrive also at higher temperature. It is a tropical plant commonly grown in lowland areas but also survives at an altitude of 1,000 m.
Soil Requirements
Bitter gourd can be grown in any type of soil. But for best harvests, grow them in sandy loam to clay-loam soil along with good drainage and fertilization. The optimum soil pH is 6.0 to 6.7.
Land Preparation
Plow and harrow the field until well pulverized, prepared and leveled. If soil is acidic (pH below 5.8) incorporate lime (e.g. Dolomite) at a rate of 1000-3000 kg of 1-3 tons per hectare one month before sowing.
Bed Preparation
Apply organic fertilizer at a rate of 20 tons per hectare or 2 kg per square meter together with the recommended basal inorganic fertilizer.
Plastic Mulching
- Establish the edge of the plastic mulch first by clipping it with bamboo staples at a distance of 20-30 cm apart.
- Stretch the plastic mulch with the silvery side on top of the bed and staple the side edges every 20-30 cm as well.
- At the end of the bed, cut the plastic mulch and staple.
- Moisten a clean piece of cloth made up of cotton. Water must be just enough to wet the cloth. Make sure that it is not too wet or too dry. Lack of water inhibits imbibitions, while too much water can cause fungal infection which may lead to rotting of seeds.
- Spread the seeds in the moistened cloth and roll it. Place it in dark and properly ventilated area.
- Keep the cloth moist at all times and make sure that it is not too wet.
- After 5 days, sow the seeds in the field or on seedling trays at 2cm deep.
A. Direct
- Sow 1-2 seeds on the holes at 2 cm deep.
- Cover the seeds with loose soil to ensure better germination. Thinning to one plant per hill is done one week after germination.
- At the end of the bed, cut the plastic mulch and staple.
- It is recommended to use high quality seedling medium such as peat moss. Or prepare a seedling medium by mixing garden soil, sand, and compost at a 2:1:1.
- Fill the holes of the trays with the seedling medium and then water.
- Make a hole 2 cm deep and carefully sow the seeds. Cover lightly with soil just enough to cover the seeds.
- Keep the trays in a secure and well lighted area, preferably under the sun but with black net on top.
- When needed, fertilize seedlings by dissolving 30 grams of calcium nitrate in 16 L water and drench seedlings (avoid splashing the leaves to prevent leaf burning). Initial drenching can be done when 2 true leaves appear and can be repeated weekly if necessary.
- Eight to ten days after sowing, seedlings are hardened for 3 days by exposing the seedlings directly under the sun, giving less water and no more fertilization.
- After hardening, seedlings are now ready for transplanting.
- Water the seedlings in the tray in the morning.
- Start transplanting late in the afternoon (2 PM onwards) to avoid extreme heat and high temperature during noontime minimizing transplanting shock.
- Push out the seedling lightly by pressing the bottom of the seedling tray. Avoid pulling out hardly that will cause damage to the roots of the seedlings.
- Transplant the seeds into planting hole.
- Water or irrigate newly transplanted seedlings daily for 2 weeks after transplanting or until the seedling are well-established in the field.
Start putting up the trellis two weeks after emergence. Do not delay trellising because plants grow very fast. Using Bamboo/Ipil-Ipil/Kakawati poles, erect the trellis approximately 2 meters in height and about 2.5 meters spacing along rows. Poles are then interconnected with G. I. wires (#16) then grid of blue string or trellising net (fish net) are vertically placed along posts in rows where vines could climb and horizontally on top where vine could crawl side ways.
Pruning
The practice of pruning differs from place to place. Pruning is done by cutting the lateral branches when the plant reaches the height of 1.5
– 2m. After which, succeeding laterals are allowed to grow on the overhead trellis.
Advantages:
Less expense for trellising materials (almost no side trellis).
Good fruit quality.
Generate extra income from pruned tops.
Longer life span of the crop.
Disadvantages:
Delayed harvesting since only fruits from the overhead trellis are allowed to develop.
Additional labor cost on pruning.
Irrigation/Water Management
Irrigate only when necessary since bitter gourd does not like too much water. During dry season, it is advised to irrigate plants 3-5 day interval. A good drainage is best especially in the lowland areas.
Weed Control
Weeds are controlled by the use of plastic mulch, however, on uncovered areas, weeds will still grow and needs to be pulled-out or sprayed with herbicides.
Harvesting
Marketable fruits can be harvested at around 45-50 days after sowing. Fruits that are fully developed are thick, green, and juicy. Harvest frequently with an interval of 2-4 days since the fruit ripens easily. Cut the fruit stem using a sharp knife or scissor. It is best to harvest the fruits early in the morning.
Post Harvest Handling
After picking early in the morning, avoid exposing the fruits from direct sunlight. Remove damaged and deformed fruits and carefully arrange marketable fruits in boxes or in plastic bags with holes for ventilation. As much as possible avoid higher temperature above 13 UC for this will speed up ripening of fruits. Keep away from banana, pineapple and apple for these releases ethylene causing fruits to ripen rapidly.
Article source: www.eastwestseed.com/philippines/en/
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