1. Timely sowing and cultivating strong seedlings should be based on local climate conditions to determine the optimal sowing period, aiming to set fruit before the rainy season. It is generally recommended to sow between late February and mid-March. Use an insulated seedbed with nutrient-rich soil, and use about 100 grams of seeds per mu. Before sowing, soak the seeds in hot water (around 70°C) and let them cool naturally. Soak for one hour, then germinate at 25-30°C. Once germinated, check the germination bed regularly and transplant the sprouted seeds into prepared nutrient pots. During the seedling stage, ensure proper insulation. In case of cold spells, use heating cables or incandescent lamps in the seedbed. Maintain a "see dry, see wet" approach for moisture control. Ten days before planting, harden off the seedlings to prepare them for outdoor conditions.
2. To maintain variety purity, keep different species separated. It is advisable to avoid growing other melon varieties or zucchini within a 500-meter radius of the seed production area. This helps prevent cross-pollination and ensures the quality of the seeds produced.
3. Site selection is crucial. Choose land that has not been used for melons in the past two years. The site should be elevated, with loose and fertile soil, and have good irrigation and drainage systems. Typically, the field is prepared with a 4.5-meter-wide bed, 0.2 meters deep ditches, and 0.5 meters wide furrows. The beds are shaped like turtle backs, with smooth surfaces and fine soil. The length of each bed is around 30 meters, with a central trench 0.3 meters deep and side trenches 0.35 meters deep. Apply base fertilizer 0.35 meters away from the ditch, using 3,000 kg of manure and 60 kg of compound fertilizer per acre. Finally, lay a 1-meter-wide plastic film over the planting lines. Plant seedlings with two or three true leaves in early April, spacing them 0.45 meters apart, resulting in about 600 plants per acre.
4. Field management includes several key steps: After planting and establishment, apply clear water when the seedlings have 2-3 true leaves. Top-dress with mulberry fertilizer and apply 15 kg of urea and 30 kg of compound fertilizer per acre. Avoid applying this during fruit setting. Once fruits start developing, apply 20 kg of urea per acre when the fruit reaches about 500 grams. Be cautious on rainy days to avoid leaf spot disease. During high temperatures and dry periods, irrigate with running water every 5-7 days. After the vines begin to spread, train them properly. When the main vine produces a strong side vine, allow it to grow and press it down once it reaches 0.5 meters. Ensure vines in adjacent rows do not cross, keeping them neat. Usually, two vines per plant are kept, with one fruit per vine. If conditions are favorable, you can keep an extra fruit on the side vines. For pollination, collect male flowers around 7 am, transfer pollen using a brush, or directly pollinate female flowers. Complete this by 10 am. Introduce bees during flowering for natural pollination. After fruits are set, protect them with grass to prevent rotting and cover them from direct sunlight to avoid sunburn. Regular pest control is essential.
5. Seed selection occurs in two stages. First, select young fruits weighing around 500 grams, ensuring they display typical variety characteristics, are healthy, and free from disease or pests. Remove any sterile or diseased plants. A second selection is made when the fruits are fully matured. Cantonese blue gourd typically matures about 40 days after fruiting. During production, mark open female flowers when 50%-60% are blooming. Harvest the fruits 40 days after marking, depending on their maturity. Harvest the leaves before they turn yellow or wither. After harvesting, store the fruits in a cool, dry place and allow them to cure for 15 days. Once the seeds are mature, they can be collected.
6. Seed collection, drying, and storage require careful handling. Choose seeds from fruits with thick flesh and small central cavities. After removing the seeds, rinse them thoroughly until no mucus remains. Avoid using iron containers, as they may cause discoloration. Do not expose seeds directly to sunlight on concrete surfaces; instead, spread them on bamboo mats for even drying. On the first day, dry the outer layer but avoid full exposure to prevent cracking. Do not pile the seeds until fully dried. Store the fully dried seeds in a cool, dry location. Through years of practice, this method has increased average seed yield to 25 kg per acre, with some fields reaching up to 40 kg.
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