Learn something about the growth stages of ampalaya, life cycle. Growing ampalaya is great and fun to do. The fruit of it is rich in vitamins and nutrients. Some people start growing this plant in their yard which is good. This article will lead to your way on the growth stages of ampalaya. Ampalaya or bitter gourd has a life cycle in or the growth stages of ampalaya which you can know below. So continue reading.
So, what are the growth stages of ampalaya?
- Seed
- Germinating
- Young Seedling
- Older Vine
- Flowering
- Ampalaya Bearing
- Harvesting
- Drying
Stage 1. Seed
The first growth stage of ampalaya is the seed phase. This means that the ampalaya is just in the form of a seed. The seed of ampalaya is small, hard, rough in texture, and brown in color. That is its characteristics.
The dry ampalaya seed is capable of growing when it is hard enough. There are cases that the seeds are soft and there’s a low percentage of growing on that kind of seed. It must have a hard which surely will grow.
One ampalaya fruit can have many seeds. Approximately there are 10-20 seeds per fruit. And the technique to get those high-quality seeds for planting is to make the fruit dry. Make it in the most mature appearance. It will turn yellow and produces quality seeds.
Stage 2. Germinating
This growth stage is the ampalaya will start to germinate. This means that the seeds will produce some roots and small green leaves.
Germinating ampalaya seeds will have a high percentage of germination if you have quality seeds. Quality seeds are mature seeds capable of growing. You can buy some ampalaya seeds near your location, like in the agriculture market or store. They sell those seeds with coated colors which help the seeds to last long.
If you want to germinate seeds and grow them, the best way you should do is to grow them first on the seedbox. The seedbox has many small containers which you can put the seeds and grow. Put first some soil inside and then put one seed per container. Then cover it with some soil and water it after.
After 3-7 days the ampalaya seeds will start germinating. This takes a few days to produce some roots and eventually you will see some small leaves.
Stage 3. Young Seedling
This growth stage is the seedling phase. This means that the ampalaya is in the form of a small plant show of some sprouted roots and few leaves appear.
The ampalaya seedlings need more care as their stem is very soft. Miss care can lead to cutting its stem and then drying it up and stopping growing. You should care for it from the strong winds and the animals. Animals can eat the leaves.
The seedlings of ampalaya are great when it has healthy germination. You can transplant ampalaya seedlings when they have more leaves and have a length of 12 inches long. This way it can grow well. It needs enough water to grow better.
Stage 4. Older Vine
This growth stage is the ampalaya is in the form of a mature vine. This means that the ampalaya started to produce more leaves and produce more vines. This shows green leafy bigger size leaves.
When it gets enough water, sunlight, and fertilizer, the best ampalaya will appear. As a gardener, you should do your job to make it more healthy. It needs more care than the previous stages.
During this time, the vines will be started to climb. This is a vine vegetable so you should put trellis for climbing. This will climb above and continue to spread its stem and leaves.
Some growers use other plants as trellis. They train the vines and put them on the other plant’s leaves or branches. Try to avoid letting the vines on the soil. Trellis is very important so try to make one for an effective ampalaya to grow.
Stage 5. Flowering
This growth stage is the ampalaya starts blooming flowers. This means that the ampalaya is 3-4 months old. During this time the small yellow smooth flower begins to show off.
The flower of ampalaya is had two types. The first one is the flower that turns to fruit after. And the other one is the flower that doesn’t turn into fruit, it is just a flower.
This stage needs more water and fertilizer. You need to water it every day as it needs it. Also, put fertilizer for it to grow healthy.
You need also to look for some pests that may attack your plants. Some worms can destroy your plants so be aware of that.
Stage 6. Ampalaya Bearing
This stage is the ampalaya bear ampalaya fruits for the first time. Yes, from the flowers it will form into young ampalaya fruits.
The ampalaya has a bulk into its body, even if it is very young. This has green rough small fruits when young and bigger when mature enough.
When the ampalaya starts to bear fruits, it means that it is already 3-4 months old. It needs more care as pests can attack the ampalaya fruits.
Some adjustments and improvements you should take. This will help to the best bounty ampalaya fruit-bearing will garden.
Stage 7. Harvesting
This growth stage is the ampalaya is ready to harvest. This means that the ampalaya is mature enough.
When the ampalaya fruit has a hard fruit you can now get it. You should also look for its color. A mature ampalaya fruit should have a green to dark green which indicates its maturity.
Stage 8. Drying
In this stage is the ampalaya turns yellow and begins to dry. This will start to make harder seeds inside and produce red-coated liquid around the seeds.
The fruits turn ripe and will break out soon. During this time you can use the seeds to grow them again and again like a cycle. It takes days or weeks to dry off.
Thank you for reading this article about the growth stages of ampalaya, the life cycle. Thank you for your time and effort in reading this whole stuff. Hope you learn something coming from us even as little as possible. Thank you and good day.
