Ridge gourd is extremely rich in dietary fibre and enriched with all the vital elements that include Vitamin-C, zinc, iron, riboflavin, magnesium, thiamine and traces of another minerals. It is low in saturated fat, cholesterol and calories that aids in weight loss.
Cucumber is not a squash, but is closely related to the squash family.
Bottle gourd plant is a climber with spring like tendrils. The milky green colored fruits with white flesh are formed in various shapes and sizes; the long cylindrical and short round varieties are the most common ones.
Bitterness in ridge gourd is due to the presence of a compound called cucurbitacin. This contributes to ridge gourd flavor in small amounts, but in large amounts causes bitterness. Hot, dry weather increases the levels of this compound.
Sponge gourd is one of the popular vegetables similar to ridge gourd. The only difference is sponge gourd has a smooth surface. Fully ripe sponge gourds have a high volume of fibrous which is being used as cleansing agent (utensils) and making shoe-soles, table mats.
Names of Indian Vegetables
| ENGLISH | TELUGU |
|---|
| Teisel gourd | AAkakarkaya |
| Snake gourd | Potlakaya |
| Ridge gourd | Beerakaya |
| Bottle gourd | Anapakaya/Sorakaya |
The seeds need a warm, sunny location with the added compost to germinate successfully. Ridge gourd seeds also require that you rub the seeds with sandpaper or an emery board and soak them in room-temperature water for about 24 hours before planting.
Gourds are fertilized the same way as cucumbers and melons. Incorporate 5-10-10 or a similar fertilizer (6-12-12) into the soil at planting, at a rate of 4 pounds per 100 feet of row. When the plant runners are 12 to 18 inches long, fertilize again spreading the fertilizer at least 18 inches away from the plant stems.
Gourds are warm-season crops that need a long growing season free from frost. The best time to plant gourd seeds outdoors is in spring after the average last frost date.
Gourds need plenty of water to grow, and that's especially true during dry and hot periods. Young plants need more watering than established plants. It's best to do several light waterings, in the beginning, to help the roots grow and establish.
The soil or main field should be prepared thoroughly by 4 to 5 ploughings and soil pH range from 6.5 to 7.5 is ideal for Ridge gourd cultivation. This vegetable crop requires good drainage. Better yield and quality of vegetable can be expected by applying organic matter or Farm Yield Manure (FMY).
Gourds are annual vines, eager to scramble up a trellis or over an arbor; they can climb up 15 feet. When the weather warms up, they grow as fast as Jack's beanstalk and set fruits with fascinating shapes.
The flowers are yellow and very fragrant. The female flowers will have a tiny fruit behind the petal that looks like a miniature Turai, while the male ones won't. Pollination to form the fruit is done by bees and other insects but hand pollination sets a better chance of fruit.
Fertilizer ApplicationAt planting, apply complete fertilizer (14-14-14) at the rate of 20 grams or two tbsp per hill.
Water requirement for growing Ridge Gourd in potsIn summer, you should water your potted Ridge Gourd plant every day. Water the soil near the plant. Use a watering can to water and make sure that the plants get water in the form of the shower but not by a single flow.
Hand pollination is a simple procedure. It involves shaking or tapping pollen from the male flower to the female flower. Identify male flowers and female flowers on your gourd plant. Female flowers contain a large, bulbous growth on the vine just beneath the blossoms, while male flowers lack this growth.
