How to plant thumb西瓜 seeds in detail - Thumb西瓜 planting method

How to plant mini watermelon seedsThe editor brings you the experience of planting mini watermelon seeds and the detailed planting methods of mini watermelon green plant maintenance. Next, the editor of this site will introduce to everyone.If you want to grow a miniature climbing fruit on your balcony, you can try planting mini watermelons (Melothria scabra). They look like shrunken versions of watermelons, with each mini watermelon being about the size of a grape, offering a refreshing taste and a sweet and sour flavor, similar to a mix of cucumber and orange.Mini watermelons belong to the Cucurbitaceae family and the Thladiantha genus (Thladiantha means very small melon in Chinese), and they are suitable for planting in warm weather (native to Central America). They are usually cultivated as annual plants, but can also be grown as perennial plants in consistently warm climates.1. SowingTo grow mini watermelons, you generally buy seeds or seedlings. The germination rate of the seeds is quite high, and you can try sowing them as long as the temperature where you are is between 18-28 degrees.When sowing mini watermelon seeds, prepare well-drained soil that is clean and not very fertile, with good water retention and good aeration. Commonly used are peat soil, fine coconut bran, garden soil, etc.During sowing, the seeds should be buried shallowly, about half a centimeter below the soil surface. After covering them with soil, keep the soil moist but do not waterlog it.After sowing, in addition to keeping the soil moist, place it in a warm area with a temperature between 18-25 degrees, avoiding temperatures below 15 degrees. The optimal growth temperature is between 22-30 degrees. They have good heat tolerance but poor cold tolerance, and they will not grow if the temperature drops below 15 degrees.2. Seedling CareAfter the seedlings sprout, gradually increase the light exposure. After a week, it's best to have more than 6-8 hours of light every day. When the seedlings have grown more than two or three true leaves, you can transplant them to a larger pot or directly to the ground when the potting soil is slightly dry. After transplanting, keep them in a semi-shaded area for about a week, then gradually increase the light exposure.3. Maintenance PrecautionsFor the later-stage care of mini watermelon seedlings, ensure they get plenty of light, with at least 8 hours of direct sunlight each day. The soil should have moderate fertility and be as loose and breathable as possible.Mini watermelons need to climb to grow, so a trellis should be set up in advance in the pot for them to climb on. The trellis should be at least 150-180 centimeters high.If planting mini watermelons in pots, each seedling should have a spacing of at least 35-45 centimeters and should not be planted too densely.4. Post-Transplant CareWhen transplanting seedlings to a larger pot, make sure to lay a thick layer of base fertilizer at the bottom, which can be common organic fertilizers such as cake fertilizer or manure fertilizer.