Golden gourd, scientifically known as *Cucurbita pepo*, is a member of the Cucurbitaceae family. The plant has long, thick, hollow stems with ridges and fine hairs running along their length. Along these stems, lateral vines and tendrils develop, allowing the plant to climb and spread effectively. Female flowers typically appear on the main vines between the 5th and 7th nodes. The fruit is oval-shaped, turns golden yellow when mature, and has a thick, fleshy texture.
This crop is sensitive to temperature, and it thrives best when temperatures remain above 15°C. The ideal temperature range for fruit development is between 25°C and 30°C. Golden gourd is not very picky about soil conditions, making it adaptable to various growing environments.
Seedlings are usually transplanted in mid to late March, after about 30 days of growth. At this stage, they should have three to four true leaves before being moved into the field. Direct sowing is done in mid-April, with two to three seeds per hole. By late April, plants are spaced approximately 2.7 meters apart, with each hole containing two plants. This results in around 1,000 to 1,200 plants per mu (about 667 square meters). Before planting, 50 pounds of animal manure and 12.5 kg of superphosphate are applied to enrich the soil.
During the flowering period, careful management of water and fertilizer is essential to avoid excessive vegetative growth, which can lead to poor fruit set. Prior to mulching, 30 to 40 tons of livestock manure per acre is recommended, along with 10 to 15 kg of ammonium sulfate to support rapid fruit expansion.
Each plant typically produces 2 to 3 vines, with 1 to 2 vines selected for fruiting. Each vine should be pruned to leave 3 to 4 leaves, and the top should be pinched off to encourage better fruit development. The harvesting season runs from mid-June through the end of July, with yields reaching 2,000 to 3,000 kilograms per mu. With proper care and management, golden gourd can be a highly productive and rewarding crop for farmers.
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