🌱 How to Grow Ridge Gourd from Seeds

Common Names:

• Hindi: तोरई / तुरई (Tori / Turai)

• Tamil: பீர்க்கங்காய் (Peerkangai)

• Telugu: బీరకాయ (Beerakaya)

• Malayalam: പീർച്ചിങ്ങ (Peechinga)

• Kannada: ಹೀರೆಕಾಯಿ (Heerekayi)

• English: Ridge Gourd / Luffa

• Botanical Name: Luffa acutangula

1. Choose the Right Season

• Warm-season climber crop

• Best time to sow:

  • Spring–Summer: Feb–Apr

  • Monsoon: Jun–Aug (with well-drained soil)

• Ideal Temperature: 25°C–35°C

2. Prepare the Soil

• Soil Type: Well-drained, fertile loamy or sandy loam soil

• pH Level: 6.0–7.5 (neutral to slightly alkaline)

• Mix compost or aged cow dung + neem cake to enrich soil

3. Sow the Seeds

• Depth: 1 inch (2.5 cm) deep

• Spacing:

  • Garden: 12–18 inches between plants

  • Pots: Use 12–14 inch deep containers; sow 2–3 seeds per pot, thin to 1–2 healthiest seedlings

• Water gently after sowing

4. Watering

• Keep soil consistently moist

• Water every 2–3 days or when topsoil feels dry

• Ensure proper drainage to avoid root rot

5. Germination

• Germinates in 6–10 days

• Provide warmth and sunlight for healthy sprouting

• Thin seedlings if too close

6. Sunlight & Temperature

• Needs 6–8 hours of full sun daily

• Prefers 25°C to 35°C for optimal growth

• Support with a strong trellis or vertical netting for climbing vines

7. Fertilization

• Add compost every 2–3 weeks

• Use potassium-rich fertilizer during flowering and fruiting

• Avoid too much nitrogen — leads to more leaves, fewer fruits

8. Pest Control

• Common pests: Fruit flies, aphids, beetles

• Use neem oil spray every 10–15 days

• Keep area weed-free and dry dead leaves to prevent fungal growth

9. Harvesting

• First harvest in 50–60 days

• Pick ridge gourds when they are 8–12 inches long and tender

• Harvest every 2–3 days to encourage more fruiting

10. Regrow Tip

• Leave 1–2 gourds to fully mature and dry on the vine

• Scoop seeds, dry well, and store for next season planting

🌿 Health Benefits of Ridge Gourd

• Low in calories, high in dietary fiber

• Rich in vitamin C, zinc, and iron

• Aids digestion and supports liver health

• Known to help control blood sugar and detox the body