Specialty vegetable crops

Germination takes about 3 to 5 days. The seedlings can be transplanted to the field when there are 2 to 3 true leaves (takes about 10 to 15 days). For direct sowing, put 2 to 3 seeds into each hole.

Plant spacing should be about 2 feet (vertical growing) / 4 to 5 feet (horizontal growing), row spacing should be about 4 feet.

Apply basal dressing before planting. Apply organic fertiliser (N：P：K：Mg = 4：3：3：1), peanut cake and bone meal (75 kg each) to each d.c.. Ten days after planting, apply organic fertiliser and peanut cake meal (20 gm each) to each plant as top dressing. After that, apply fertiliser once every 2 weeks for a total of 3 times. Spray liquid fertiliser to the leaves during growth period to get more and better fruits.

Prune the plant to leave only 3 secondary vines to promote higher fruit yield.

Conduct intertilled weeding and remove unhealthy leaves and fruits before applying top dressing.

Inadequate sunshine, excessive nitrogenous fertiliser or too much moisture in the soil can easily lead to dropping of flowers and fruits, as well as elongation.

Melon flies must be avoided at young fruit stage. Preventive measures such as bagging of young fruits should be taken.

Pumpkins are ready to harvest once the fruit becomes ripe and plump and the colour of which has deepened into yellowish-brown (about 90 to 100 days after sowing). They can be stored for 1 to 2 months in a cool, dry place to be put on the market when there is demand.