What to do about watermelon root rot
This article focuses on how to deal with watermelon root rot and detailed knowledge about the correct care methods for watermelon root rot, including the basics of horticulture. Let's get to know more about it.
Watermelon is also known as summer melon, winter melon, or green jade house, and is an annual vine plant. It is cultivated across China, with many varieties, and diverse forms of outer rind, flesh, and seeds. Watermelons from Xinjiang, Lanzhou in Gansu, Dezhou in Shandong, and Dongtai in Jiangsu are the most famous. Watermelon is a summer fruit with sweet flesh that can cool down and relieve heat, its seeds contain oil and can be used as a snack, widely loved by everyone. Watermelon root rot is the main physiological disease in the seedling stage, which has a significant impact on the cultivation of strong watermelon seedlings. The symptoms mainly include the roots turning from milky white to brownish-red, not growing new roots, stopping growth, slow plant growth, and withering seedlings.
Solutions to watermelon root rot:
1. Ventilation and sun protection
Usually, it takes about a week for watermelon seedlings to grow, and it is necessary to open both ends of the seedling greenhouse for ventilation. If there is strong sunlight and high temperatures, some straw should be placed on top of the greenhouse. After two days, when the morning and evening sunlight is not strong, remove the straw and open it completely. During windy and rainy weather, protect the seedbed and open it completely when the seedlings turn green, allowing the watermelon to adapt to the open-air environment, which is beneficial for its growth.
2. Appropriate watering
Control the water volume during the seedling stage, water appropriately, and do not cause the roots to have difficulty breathing. Stop watering during rainy days. For seedlings with mild root rot, methods such as loosening the soil in the seedbed and applying wood ash can be used to increase temperature and reduce humidity, which is beneficial for the growth and recovery of the seedlings.
3. Reasonable fertilization
Excessive fertilization can lead to yellowing of the roots of watermelon seedlings, no new root growth, and slow growth of the above-ground parts, causing fertilizer damage. Therefore, it is important to fertilize reasonably, focusing on phosphorus and potassium fertilizers as the main, with nitrogen fertilizers as a supplement, and the concentration should not exceed 0.3%.
4. Transplanting to promote root growth
After transplanting watermelon seedlings to the field, regularly spray nutrient solution as a root establishment treatment to promote the rapid growth of new roots and root development, preventing root rot and seedling death.
5. Unsuitable soil
Long-term continuous cropping can cause watermelon root rot and lead to an imbalance of nutrients in the soil, failing to meet the growth needs of watermelon, thus causing root rot. Therefore, it is recommended to practice crop rotation and avoid continuous cropping. Apply organic fertilizers and never use uncomposted organic fertilizers to avoid root burning.
6. Root nematodes
Root nematodes are one of the possible causes of watermelon root rot. The main harm is to the roots, where watermelon roots will grow unevenly sized tumor-like nodules, obstructing the absorption of nutrients and water from the soil. Long-term inability to absorb water leads to root rot. Since root nematodes are small and mainly live in the deep soil, with initial symptoms not being obvious, it is necessary to do early prevention work for root nematodes to avoid watermelon root rot.
The above introduction on what to do about watermelon root rot and detailed explanation of the correct care methods for watermelon root rot can help you. Don't forget to check out more flowering experience and常识!