HFF-02 Ash Gourd/ Budidha Gummadikaya

Common Name : Budida Gummadikaya (Telugu) , Raakh Laukee (Hindi) , As Kort Kaykari (Tamil)

Soil : A deep lomay soil with warm tropical climate is ideal for higher yield . The pH value is 5-7.5 

Crop Duration : 90-100days 

Planting type : Directly Sowing .

Popularly called Winter Melon , White Pumpkin 

They can stored for almost a year after harvesting

Pot Size :
You Can use 5 gallon or 3 gallon grow bag/ buckets  for planting Ash Gourd Seeds . If you want to grow in Plastic pot use minimum 16 Inch pot . The bigger pots/grow Bags will provide more space and more nutrient to the plant .

Soil Requirements:
Ash Gourd need moist but well-drained, nutrient-rich soil. Use soil mix with combination of Red Soil , Vermicompost and Cocopeat at a ratio of (2:1:1) . Also add 2-5% of Neem Powder to the soil mix. Neem Powder will act as fungicide.

Sowing Instructions:
Put 3-4 seeds in a pot with minimum spacing of 4-6 inches between each seed . Once they sprout and grow a height of 1-2 feet remove weak saplings . Make sure that healthy saplings 1 or 2 will remain in the pot. Two plant can survive in a pot give you lot of fruits to you .

Light requirements:
Ash Gourd Plant needs Full sunlight. Good amount of sunlight will help plant to grow healthy .

Water Requirements:
Ash Gourd needs to be watered daily. If the temperature is higher than 35 Degrees water it twice . Excess watering will cause in Root rot for any plant , so you need have proper drainage system in your container. Make sure that excess water will drain properly.

Common issues:
Ash Gourd is easy to grow plant . It will grow fast and give you good amount of harvest . The common issues you face while growing Ash Gourd | budida gummadikaya are Leaf Curling and White Mealy bug Use insecticides or Neem spray

Harvesting:

Ash Gourd will start giving you fruits within 50 days from seed plantation . Well sized fruits will be good in taste and nutrient value . Dont pluck them before they are ready to harvest .