A few days ago, we cultivated sesame on one of our lands, but the yield was not satisfactory. So, we decided to cultivate pointed gourd there instead, and the crop turned out quite well. Now, I would like to discuss the details with you.
Pointed gourd is a popular vegetable in our region, and it is regularly cultivated in our village's agricultural land. It has a high production volume and is sold in other cities as well. We have previously grown pointed gourd on this land, sometimes with good results and sometimes not.
For the cultivation of pointed gourd this time, our land area is 2,178 square feet, and it is a flat land. The weather conditions were favorable. Initially, we used a machine to plow the land deeply. In our village, there are several farmers who have machines for land cultivation. The remaining farmers rent machines from others in exchange for money to cultivate their land.
The well-drained and water-retaining sandy soil is suitable for pointed gourd cultivation. When water accumulates at the base of the seedling, the seedling rots. February/March/April is the appropriate time for pointed gourd sowing. We prepared soil beds that were 1-1.5 meters wide to cultivate it effectively. We planted the seedlings at intervals of one meter between each bed. The distance between each pointed gourd plant was 70 centimeters. I made drains between each soil bed so that water does not accumulate.
From the beginning, we took regular care. Pointed gourd plants and fruits are attacked by various types of pests and insects. Regular use of pesticides is necessary to prevent crop damage. Most of the time, we can see that insects create holes in the fruits and lay eggs inside. Afterward, the soft part of the fruit is consumed, and mature insects emerge. The field of the crop should be kept clean. Regular use of pesticides is necessary. If you look at the picture, you will understand how well we have maintained the cleanliness of our crop field. There is no trace of any additional waste or debris.
Often, we had to create traps of light to protect against insects. During the evening, insects would get trapped in these light traps. For the proper growth of the plants, I have given more priority to organic fertilizers. Because I always encourage everyone to minimize the use of chemical fertilizers unless absolutely necessary. The use of organic fertilizers not only promotes the proper growth of plants but also has no harmful impact on the environment. On the other hand, the use of chemical fertilizers has many damaging effects on the environment.
Very recently, we have started harvesting our crop. Pointed gourd should be harvested in its perfect stage, either in the morning or evening. Generally, pointed gourd becomes suitable for harvest within 10-12 days after flowering. We are harvesting the crop little by little almost every day and selling it in the market. We are getting a good price because our pointed Gourd is of high quality.
To achieve higher yields in pointed gourd cultivation, we need to utilize modern techniques. The key factors to focus on for higher productivity are fertilizer management, vine control, pruning, pollination, and pest control.
100 grams of pointed gourd provides the following nutrients:
| Element | Nutrients |
|---|---|
| Water | 92% |
| Calories | 20 kcal |
| Protein | 2 grams |
| Fiber | 3 grams |
| Carbohydrates | 4.2 grams |
| Calcium | 30 mg |
| Iron | 1.7 mg |
| Magnesium | 9 mg |
| Potassium | 83 mg |
| Vitamin A | 255 IU |
| Vitamin C | 29 mg |
As I mentioned earlier, pointed gourd is a widely popular vegetable in our region. It is known for its nutritional value and can be consumed in various ways. It is also beneficial for digestion.
That's all for now.
Don't forget to share your experience of vegetable cultivation using common methods.
