Imagine a rich harvest of Chow Chow vegetable plants on your farm, tantalizing taste sensations and opening up new paths for profit. You can embrace this fantastic crop as an Indian farmer and set off on a path that will benefit your community and add to the agricultural variety of the country.
As a result, in 2024, there is unstoppable high demand and Chow Chow is the way to go. This guide would be your comrade in the journey to discover the finest details of Chow Chow cultivation. Starting from choosing the suitable or desired environment, humidity, and soil, let us together examine every detail of planning, cultivation, and reaping, wherein we will provide you with the necessary knowledge to enable you to bring your initial idea to life.
Do you know what is chow chow vegetables in hindi? You can call it Drumstick Pods (Sehjan’s Phali) in India or Chayote Squash in Mexico, but it is really global. It comes from the Cucurbitaceae family, responsible for the fantastic height of the leaves, making it a unique climbing vine vegetable that is originally from Mexico (North America). Depending on the region, you might encounter different names for Chow Chow:
Classical exemplified by the traditional Chow Chow pickled vegetables, you can modify your brand by involving a variety of vegetables. Here are some popular choices readily available in India:
Cauliflower florets: Provide a crunchy texture and a bit of sweetness. Individuals with disabilities often face significant obstacles in obtaining and maintaining employment.
Green beans: Provide the dish with a bit of crunch and also add its characteristic touch of freshness and vegetables.
Baby carrots: Add some sweetness to the drink and give it a vibrant orange color.
Pearl onions: Even the slightest hint of onion will add flavor that is neither salty nor overly rich, balancing the dish.
Green chilies: Got a good palate for spicy or prefer it mild, add a pinch of seasoning for a bit of warmth.
Red bell peppers: Plus, the color, which is almost like that of a blood orange, and also, the sweetness.
Chow Chow’s magic can be seen in its preparation, which involves pickling. The key to successful pickling is a nice thick brine, which is prepared by mixing water, salt, vinegar, lemon juice, and sugar. A variety of pickled spices are then added to this brine to enhance its taste profile and give it more depth and complexity. Here are some commonly used Indian spices:
The pickling brine and these spices turn the veggies into a zesty, delicious relish that goes well with many Indian cuisines.
Recommended Read – Type of Farming to meet Family Needs
Chow Chow alone is low in calorie and fat content, which is a reason to add to your diet while feeling not guilty about it. Besides these, the vegetables used in Chow Chow pickling are a great source of vital vitamins and minerals that a health-conscious, picky eater will appreciate.
Chow Chow can effortlessly survive in most parts of India that have a tropical climate. Go for temperatures between 18-22°C (64-72°F), which are perfect for the seedlings. Plant during the cooler seasons (October through March) in order to stay away from the brutal radiance of the sun, which significantly affects the vines.
In case you live in a colder area (Himachal Pradesh, Kashmir), you should start germination of seeds indoors for earlier ready-to-harvest crops a few weeks prior to the last frost.
Pick a place in your garden where you have at least 6-8 direct sunlight hours daily. This sunlight is absolutely vital for both healthy vine growth and ample fruit yield. Avoid parts in the shade consistently or constantly, as well as spots with excessive wind where the plant cannot develop.
Seeds: Seeds would be the cheapest alternative. You can get the chow chow seeds either from local nurseries or from online stores. Growing the seeds also happens after some time (from 10 to 14 days), and the initial care is more demanding.
Seedlings: One more option a farmer has is to buy seedlings that are already growing. This is faster, and the crops will be harvested earlier. Nevertheless, it should be noted that seedlings may not be in all regions as easily accessible, with the prices a bit higher.
Tip: From seed selection to seedlings, select those known to thrive where you are gardening since different regions have characteristic climates. Refer to your neighborhood agricultural office or ask professional gardeners about their recommendations.
Chow Chow is grown or thrives on well-drained and rich in organic matter soil. Here’s how to prepare your soil for success:
Soil Testing: Take a simple soil test to find out the pH level of soil along with the count of nutrients.
Amending the Soil: With a deficiency of nutrients in your diet, provide it with organic matter like compost and aged manure. Go for slightly more food soil that ranges from a pH of 5.5 to 6.5. The pH can be adjusted by adding lime if the soil is acidic. In contrast, if the soil is alkaline, organic matter can be added.
Ensure Proper Drainage: Have sufficient drainage provision on your selected site so that the root may not be exposed to waterlogging. It will result in the roots’ damage. If your soils are shallow, they will anchor your crops, making your plants more accessible to grow. Raised beds can be a helpful method in such instances.
Recommended Read – How Many types of Agriculture in India
Thin seeds or seedlings still require a basic planting approach. As recommended earlier, the cooler weather (October to March) will provide fewer risks for sunburns as compared to the hotter months.
Seeds:
Seedlings: Dig a gap rather more significant than the circumference of your plant. Carefully place the seedling into the hole and fill the void with soil to provide a level stem base in relation to the neighboring surface. Water thoroughly after planting.
Tip: There are many possible varieties of Chow Chow; you might grow them ‘up’ rather than ‘on’ a trellis or support structure. In addition to space saving, it also promotes optimum circulation of air so that the yields get a boost.
Recommended Read – Herbicide Spray Nozzles
Chow Chow prefers a joke moist soil with water hardly freely. An objective is to water deeply every 3-4 days so that the top inch of the soil stays moist but does not get waterlogged between waterings. Ensure a proper irrigation cycle is set by taking into account the local climate and precipitation levels.
Nutrient requirements for your Chow Chow plants should be met through the use of balanced fertilizer for feeding. A good fertilizer will support healthy plant growth, and will result in a good yield of fruits. Compost tea, which is a very succulent amino acid, and diluted neem cake solution, which is every 4 to 6 weeks, is also a good option. On the contrary, a third alternative is balancing NPK fertilizer so that the solution matches the parameters indicated on the package.
Weeds can drain the nutrients that your Chow Chow plants need and reduce the amount of water your plants can absorb. Go through the hand weeding often near your plant’s base to get rid of unnecessary growth. Organic mulching is yet another practice that can help suppress weed spread and retain moisture.
Common insects preying on Chow Chow include aphids, beetles, and caterpillars. Recommend ladybugs and birds as the “natural predators” and offset these organisms in your garden—organic neem oil spray is safe and effective for the treatment of those who are pests.
Along with frequent dampness, there are chances of the development of fungal diseases such as powdery mildew—provision of good ventilation and avoiding overwatering. An application of baking soda solution as a preventive measure may be attempted.
Recommended Read – How to cultivate & earn big profits with Hop Shoots
The time to harvest your Chow Chow gourd is up to the way how you plan to use it. The proper fruits for artificial preservation are the young and immature. They should be small, approximately 2-4 inches long. You should choose firmer-to-touch, shiny green fruits with no fuzz on the skin. Our fresh fruits can be given the time they need to grow slightly bigger and soften enough (4-6 inches).
Using sharp pruning shears or secateurs, be careful to gently remove fruits from the vine, leaving only a small stem in place. Resist the urge to pull or yank on the tendrils because this may hurt the plant’s growth.
The forte of Chow Chow is its multifaceted nature allure. undefined
Sweet and Tangy: A traditional Indian-style Chow Chow combines mustard seeds, turmeric, fennel seeds, and vinegar, which is then balanced by sweet and sour taste nuances.
Spicy Delight: A chilled Chow Chow with red chilies and ginger for your spicy curries provides a nice break from all the heat.
South Indian Twist: Coconut and curry leaf enriched Kerala-style Chow Chow is a kind of curry that is entirely different from the usual one. It is unusual indeed.
Recommended Read – Types of Sprayer
Pickling of Chow Chow is traditionally done to preserve the food. There are two main methods:
Canning: This methodology uses sterilized jars and boiling water to produce shelf-stable pickles.
Fermentation: Fermentation happens when the vegetables are submerged in a brine solution, which allows them to acquire a sour and distinct charm over time.
Tip: We will get into the details of the specific pickling procedures (canning and fermentation). Subsequently, we will expound on the techniques in the following section.
This kind of practice calls for the intelligent placement of selected plants so as to constitute a relationship out of co-benefit. Here are some beneficial companions for Chow Chow:
Marigolds: Keep nematodes and other soil pests, which are harmful to the plant, away.
Nasturtiums: Encourage the presence of beneficial insects like ladybugs that prey on aphids (pests).
Beans: Fix nitrogen on the soil and closely related to the Chow Chow growth.
Corn: Maintains a calm environment beneath your Chow Chow vines.
Year after year, crop rotation in similar areas can cause depletion of nutrients and increase soil-borne diseases. Practice crop rotation by planting Chow Chow in rotating locations as the seasons change. Thus, it enables the soil to maintain healthy and prevents the problem of disease infestation.
Eco-friendly practices bring a more significant gain to your plants and the environment as well. Here are some tips:
Water Conservation: Instead of watering the plants every day, use mulch to decrease watering. Harvest rainwater for irrigation.
Organic Pest Control: Vampires should be baited by making natural enemies in the form of a wildlife-friendly garden. Select organic pest management strategies like neem oil spray.
Seed Saving: Take seeds from the fruits of the ripened Chow Chow fruits for sowing next year. This saves money and you shall develop those that grow most perfectly in your area’s particular climate.
Recommended Read – The Ultimate Guide to Agricultural Spray Nozzles
KrishiSpray is a leading manufacturer of agricultural equipment and machines. Suppose you are planning to start Chow Chow vegetable plant farming. In that case, you must research the equipment you will need and get the agriculture sprayers, agricultural sprayers, krishi spray pump, etc, from the manufacturer directly.
This way, you can save a lot of money and get the right product, service & warranty. Contact Krishispray and get the best deals on agricultural equipment.
10 Secret Ginger Farming Techniques for Maximum Profit
11 Powerful Farm Equipment That Will Save You Time & Money
13 Ultimate Modern Agriculture Equipment for Small Farmers
9 Modern Farming Methods of Agriculture You need to Know
9 Top Tips for Maintaining a Thriving Agricultural Farm
© 2024 Krishispray. All rights reserved.
Sign In
