Based
on its name and shape, some people associate this plant with the rest of the cucumbers
(timun is Indonesian for cucumber). The truth is, timun suri is a part of the
gourd family (Cucurbitaceae) like melons.
Gadjah
Mada University’s Genetic Biology Laboratory’s research states that timun suri
has nucleus chromosome 2n=24 like others in the gourd family instead of
cucumber’s 2n=14. Its leaf shape, rounded, resembles melons instead of
cucumber’s tapered leaf. You can also tell from its seed size which resembles
melons more.
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| Timun Suri. Photo Original by: Tipspetani.com |
Farmers know timun suri as a plant that has similar pests with cucumbers. They also treat timun suri with the same treatment as cucumber. However, timun suri is much more resilient in the face of these pests than cucumber. It’s caused by the simultaneity of growth in the branches and bud stems that are plentiful and sturdy.
Timun
suri is reach is provitamin A that can act as antioxidant. Plus, it’s also high
in vitamin C. Timun suri also contains essential minerals like calcium,
phosphor, and iron.
Land processing
Hoe
your soil softly. Timun suri is best planted on flat surface instead of
seedbeds. Make some planting holes in the 1x1 m size, put 1 kg of compost or
manure fertilizer in each hole, then let everything be for 2 days.
Seed sowing
Seed
planting is done after two days. Put 2 seeds into each planting hole then cover
it up then water it regularly. Your seedlings will grow simultaneously on day
7.
Seeds
are usually used 1 year after harvest at the minimum. Your seeds will last up
to 1.5 years usually, depending on how well you care for and store them.
Care and maintenance
On
day 7, do some weeding. Adult plants can compete with weeds so let them be. In
fact, when your plant has born fruits, weeds can be beneficial as a layer
between the fruit and the ground to avoid worms and other pests from the soil.
Harvest
Your
timun suri is ready to harvest after 60-75 days, depending on the variety.
Harvest is done gradually up until 10 times. Related post: Pros and Cons Of Transplanted Longan Trees in Agriculture.
Organic ‘Timun Suri’ Farming in Indonesia
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Oleh
Wahid Priyono
