Bottle Gournd In Balcony: If you have a small balcony, you can grow bottle gourd there too. Here we are telling some easy steps, following which you can prepare chemical-free bottle gourd crop at home.
Planting Tips: Despite being fond of gardening, he does not do planting. They think about space and how they can grow something in such a small space. But if you have even a small balcony, you can definitely grow some plants in it, though not too many. Bottle gourd is one of them. You can grow bottle gourd even in less space. Here we will tell you 5 easy steps to grow bottle gourd in the balcony.
Choose the right pot and soil
First of all, to plant bottle gourd plant, choose a pot 14-18 inches deep. Which has drainage holes at the bottom, so that water does not accumulate. Drainage of water from the pot is very important. Make a mixture of compost, cow dung manure, sand or perlite for the soil. This mixture retains moisture in the soil, nourishes the plant and provides air access to the roots.
Seed sowing and germination
Before sowing the seeds, soak the gourd seeds in water overnight, this helps in quick germination. Sow 2-3 seeds in a pot about 1-2 inches deep. As the plants grow, remove all but the healthiest plants to allow room for the roots. In hot weather, germination usually occurs in 7 to 14 days. Keep the soil lightly moist and water regularly.
provide sunshine and support
Bottle gourd plant needs 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight. Provide bamboo sticks, mesh or trellis for the plant to climb. This will allow the vine to grow upwards and will also save space in your balcony. Vertical growth provides the plant with adequate sunlight and air and also makes harvesting easier.
Read more: Plant Seeds: The balcony will bloom! Buy fruits, flowers and vegetable seeds at up to 90% discount
irrigation and fertilization
Always keep the soil moist, but not too wet. Increase the amount of water slightly at the time of flowering and fruits. Add organic fertilizers like vermicompost, cow dung or seaweed liquid every 2-3 weeks. Mulching maintains the moisture of the soil and keeps the temperature under control.
Harvesting and Pest Control
Harvest the gourd when its size is between 8 to 12 inches. By harvesting early, the plant continues to bear fruits. If pests like aphids or powdery mildew are seen, spray neem oil. Remove dry or yellow leaves so that air circulation remains in the plant and energy is used for the development of fruits.
Read this also: You will avoid going to the market, know about 9 vegetables grown at home