Ridge gourd belongs to the cucumber family. The botanical name of ridge gourd is Luffa acutangular. The vine plant is known to consist of high water and dietary fiber content. You can eat the vegetable when it's green and tender, especially for weight loss, as it has low fats. Moreover, it is easy to grow ridge gourds as they do not require a lot of care. Refer to this informative guide to harvest healthy ridge gourd produce in your garden, curated by experts at Ratanshi Agro-Hortitech, a plant nursery in Byculla, Mumbai, India.

Steps to grow ridge gourd at home

Ridge gourd grows well in hot and warm temperatures ranging between 25 to 35 degrees Celsius. The following are ways to grow ridge gourd plants:

Soil preparation

The vegetable grows well in different soils. Experts suggest growing it in sandy loam soil as it requires well-draining soil. It is essential to choose a spot that receives ample sunlight and prepare the soil in grower pots available at a plant nursery online by mixing some compost with the potting mix.  

Preparing the seeds

One can directly plant a live plant available at a wholesale plant nursery in Mumbai. You can also use ridge gourd seeds sold at a plant nursery near you. You can accelerate the seed germination process by soaking the seeds in water for 10 to 12 hours or overnight. 

Planting the seeds

Plant the seeds 4 to 5 inches apart and quarter or one inch deep in the soil. Cover the seeds with soil and water the soil. It is essential to check the soil moisture daily and prevent it from drying. You can witness the seedlings sprouting in three to five days.

Create a trellis system

Ridge gourd plants are vines and require trellis for their growth. The climber grows very fast and requires at least six feet high trellis system, allowing the tendrils of the vine to climb up.

Watering and sunlight

The ridge gourd plant requires more water and ample sunlight. As the plant soil dries out quickly, it is essential to water it regularly. You can also add mulch to the plant to prevent water evaporation.

Pruning

Pruning is an essential practice for almost all plants to ensure good yield. Experts at the plant nursery in Mumbai suggest using pruners for effective results. It is vital to prune the laterals and tie them to the trellis using a string.

Harvesting

It is essential to harvest ridge gourds in the early stages. The plants are ready for picking after pollination in eight to twelve days. If you do not pick the fruits early, the fruit skin gets thicker, making it inedible due to high fiber. If the fruit gets ripe, you can allow it to dry and then collect its seeds once it dries completely.

Tips for selecting gardening essentials for your ridge gourd plant

• Grower pots: Ridge gourd requires heavy watering and nutrients. It is essential to select grower pots available at a plant nursery in Byculla like Ratanshi Agro-Hortitech. You must choose big containers of up to 20 liters and grow two or three plants in one grower pot. Ensure the grower pots are 12 inches deeper.
• Pot mix: You must utilize a well-draining pot mix with rich nutrients.
• Seeds: It is essential to use high-quality organic seeds online in India, available at a reputed plant nursery like Ratanshi Agro-Hortitech.
• Fertilizers: Add organic fertilizer to the soil during planting or at regular intervals.

Final thoughts

Ridge gourd is an easy-to-grow plant and does not require a lot of effort except regular watering. You can plant the F1 hybrid ridge gourd seeds at intervals of 20 to 25 days to enjoy a great harvest throughout the year. If you plan to grow ridge gourd plants using high-quality organic seeds online in India, visit the online nursery in Mumbai, Ratanshi Agro-Hortitech today!