Raising healthy transplants

Most cucurbits are monoecious and annual inhabitants, barring a few exceptions. Almost all require a warm climate, well-drained loam to sandy loam, or sandy soil with an adequate amount of organic matter incorporated in the soil. Most grow vigorously on the ground, however, few like bottle gourd, bitter gourd, snake gourd, sponge gourd, ridge gourd, etc respond well to training on ‘bowers’ (a shady, leafy shelter) made of bamboo and sticks or ‘arbour” pargola’ system. This helps escape the fruits from direct contact with wet soil which causes fruit rotting.