Watermelon Cultivation Techniques
In the scorching summer days, sweet and juicy watermelons are the best choice for quenching thirst and cooling off. To cultivate high-quality watermelon fruits, it is not only necessary to master scientific cultivation techniques but also to accurately grasp the planting season for different varieties. This article will systematically explain the key points of the entire watermelon cultivation process from soil preparation to fruit harvest.
Core Elements of Watermelon Cultivation
Selection of Land and Soil Improvement
Watermelon has a developed root system and is suitable for sandy loam soil with a thickness of >50cm, with a pH value of 6.5-7.2 being optimal. It is recommended to have the previous crop as corn, wheat, or other grass crops to avoid continuous cropping that leads to soil-borne diseases. During land preparation, apply 3 tons of decomposed manure and 30 kilograms of superphosphate per mu as a base fertilizer, with a deep turning depth of over 30cm.
Seedling Raising and Planting Techniques
When using nutrient pots for seedling raising, the matrix ratio is peat:vermiculite = 3:1, and the seeds need to be soaked in 55℃ water for 15 minutes. When the seedlings have 3-4 true leaves, plant them with a row spacing of 2m and a plant spacing of 0.5m, and water thoroughly after planting. It is recommended to use black plastic mulch, which can increase soil temperature by 3-5℃.
Key Points of Field Management
Water and Fertilizer Control Plan
Apply 10kg of urea per mu during the vine elongation period and 15kg of high-potassium compound fertilizer during the fruit expansion period. Use drip irrigation under the mulch, maintaining soil relative moisture content at 60% before fruit setting and increasing it to 80% during the fruit expansion period. Stop watering 7 days before harvest to increase sugar content by 1-2 degrees.
Pruning and Pollination Operations
Start pruning when the main vine has 6-7 leaves, keeping the main vine and 2 strong lateral vines. Perform manual pollination every morning from 6 to 9 o'clock, evenly applying male flower pollen to the female flower stigma. Begin pressing the vines when they reach 80cm in length, pressing every 4 nodes, and make sure to avoid the female flower node.
Precise Control of Planting Season
For early spring greenhouse cultivation,播种 can start in late January, using three-layer mulch for insulation. Field planting should wait until the soil temperature is stable at above 15℃, usually in mid-April in the North China region. For fall延后 cultivation,播种 in July and use shade nets to lower the temperature for seedling raising. Different varieties require 28-45 days from fruit setting to maturity, and the sugar content should be tested to reach above 11% before harvest.
Quality watermelon cultivation requires the comprehensive use of modern agricultural techniques, forming a complete system from variety selection, crop arrangement to field management. It is recommended that farmers establish growth logs, recording key data such as temperature and fertilization, and gradually optimize the cultivation plan through the accumulation of data over 3-5 years. Mastering these technical points will result in sweet and crisp high-quality watermelons.