KANTOLA (SPINY GOURD) – कंटोला (15 Seed)

🌿 Kantola (Spiny Gourd) Growing Guide
🔹 Common name ➜ Kantola, Kakrol, Spiny gourd
🔹 Scientific name ➜ Momordica dioica
🔹 Family ➜ Cucurbitaceae
🔹 Type ➜ Perennial vegetable climber 🌱

✔️ Suitable for:
➜ Organic farming
➜ Natural farming
➜ Desi beej cultivation
➜ High-value vegetable farming

🌤️ Climate & Sowing Time 🇮🇳
India:
➜ Best sowing ➜ February – April 🌞
➜ Also in monsoon ➜ June – July 🌧️
➜ Best temperature ➜ 25–35°C

📍 Punjab:
➜ Best time: • March – April
• June – July
✔️ Warm climate needed
❌ Frost sensitive

🌾 Soil Requirement
➜ Best ➜ Well-drained loamy soil
➜ pH ➜ 6–7.5
✔️ Suitable for: ➜ Organic vegetable farming
➜ Natural soil systems
➜ Sustainable agriculture

🌰 Planting Material (Important)
⚠️ Kantola is dioecious (male & female plants separate)
➜ Best method: • Root tubers
• Vine cuttings
✔️ Seeds are less reliable
👉 Maintain ratio: ➜ 1 male plant : 8–10 female plants

🌱 Planting Method
➜ Plant tubers at 5–7 cm depth
Spacing:
➜ Row ➜ 1.5–2 meter
➜ Plant ➜ 1–1.5 meter
✔️ Helps: ➜ Proper vine spread
➜ Better sunlight
➜ Higher yield

🪵 Support System (Very Important)
➜ Use: • Bower system
• Net / trellis
✔️ Benefits: ➜ Straight fruits
➜ Better air circulation
➜ High production ⬆️

🌿 Organic Fertilizer Plan
Before planting:
➜ FYM ➜ 10–12 ton/acre
➜ Vermicompost
➜ Neem cake
During growth:
➜ Jeevamrit spray
➜ Panchgavya
➜ Fish amino acid (organic)
✔️ Improves: ➜ Flowering
➜ Fruit set
➜ Yield

💧 Irrigation
➜ Water every 5–7 days
➜ Keep soil moist
Critical stages: ➜ Flowering 🌼
➜ Fruit formation
❌ Avoid waterlogging

🐛 Organic Pest Control
Common pests:
➜ Fruit fly 🐛
➜ Aphids
➜ Beetles
Control:
➜ Neem oil spray 🌿
➜ Fruit fly traps
➜ Sticky traps
✔️ Suitable for: ➜ Organic vegetable production
➜ Chemical-free farming

🧺 Harvesting
➜ First harvest ➜ 70–90 days
➜ Pick tender green fruits
✔️ Regular picking increases yield

⏳ Plant Life
➜ Perennial crop
➜ Productive life ➜ 2–3 years
✔️ One-time planting, long-term benefit

📦 Yield
➜ Average ➜ 40–60 quintal/acre
✔️ High-value vegetable
✔️ Good market demand 💰

🪴 Growing Kantola on Roof (Grow Bags)
Container size:
➜ Big grow bag ➜ 18–24 inch
Soil mix:
➜ 40% soil
➜ 30% compost
➜ 20% cocopeat
➜ 10% sand

Support:
➜ Strong net or terrace trellis
Sunlight ☀️
➜ 6–8 hours sunlight

Watering 💧
➜ Every 1–2 days (summer)
Production (Terrace)
➜ 1 plant ➜ 1–3 kg fruits
✔️ Good for: ➜ Terrace gardening
➜ Exotic vegetable growing
➜ Organic home production