How often should water be given to watermelons
An introduction to the appropriate watering frequency for watermelons and the correct methods and techniques of watering, as well as some green plant and flower knowledge. Corrections are welcome if there are any mistakes!
Watermelons are the most popular fruit in summer, with sweet flesh that can cool down and reduce heat, as well as having the benefits of clearing heat, diuretic, and lowering blood pressure. Although watermelons are drought-resistant crops, they also need to be watered reasonably. Only with the correct timing and method of watering can large and sweet watermelons be harvested. During the planting process, the air should be dry and the soil moisture content should not be too high. The requirement for soil moisture is low during the seedling stage, slightly higher during the vine elongation stage, and a large amount of water is needed during the fruit expansion stage. If the water supply is insufficient during the expansion stage, it will affect the yield and quality of the fruit. So when is the correct watering method for growing watermelons? Let's share this together below.
I. The best watering time for watermelons, when to water
1. Planting water
Planting water, as the name implies, is the watering done after the seedlings are planted. It is important to ensure that the planting water is thoroughly watered. In addition, after the planting water is finished, a follow-up "seedling recovery water" is usually given, which is less in volume and not counted as one of the three main waterings.
2. Vine elongation water
When the watermelon vines start to grow, a large amount of water is needed, and this water should also be thoroughly watered. Only thorough watering during vine elongation will ensure strong flowers on the watermelons.
3. Fruit expansion water
The fruit expansion stage of watermelons is a sensitive period for water demand. During this period, it is necessary to ensure sufficient water supply, as insufficient water can lead to poor development and other symptoms. Watermelons in the fruit expansion stage are usually watered using the method of applying a large amount of water to flush fertilizer.
II. The correct method of watering watermelons
1. Seedling recovery water
It is usually watered 7 days after the watermelon seedlings are planted to promote recovery. The best time for watering is between 8-10 a.m. on a sunny day.
2. Vine elongation water
During the vine elongation stage, the plant's water requirement increases. When the watermelon "throws the dragon head" (when the main vine and auxiliary vines appear), the method of under-film dark irrigation is used to supplement water, and the amount of water should not be too much.
3. Fruit expansion water
After the watermelon fruit loses its hair and enters the peak fruit expansion stage, the water demand increases. At this time, the temperature rises and the evaporation rate increases. To promote fruit expansion and prevent excessive growth, fruit expansion water should be combined with the second topdressing. The amount of water should be increased appropriately, thoroughly watered, and then watered according to the soil type and rainfall conditions. From hair loss to fruit setting, several fruit expansion waters should be applied, and water supply should be balanced to prevent fruit cracking, especially after severe drought, more attention should be paid to less watering.
Usually, 5-6 days after the female flower of the watermelon opens, the fruit expansion water should be applied, ensuring that there is no standing water in the field after watering. When the young fruit grows to the size of an egg, water can be applied every 3-4 days to keep the soil moist, preferably in the early morning or evening to avoid root damage from midday high temperatures. The amount of watering should be gradually reduced 7-10 days before the fruit is mature, and watering should stop 3-5 days before harvest.
How often should water be given to watermelons
III. How to determine if watermelons are short of water
Observe the leaves or the growing point (dragon head) during the strongest sunlight and highest temperature in the afternoon:
1. In the seedling stage of watermelons, if the leaves curl inward and the leaf color turns dark green in the afternoon, it indicates that the plant is short of water.
2. After the watermelon vines have grown, if the dragon head is lifting up and the leaf edges are turning yellow, it means there is too much water and no more watering is needed.
3. During the fruiting stage of watermelons, you can observe the leaf wilt to determine if there is a water shortage. If the leaves wilt slightly and recover quickly, it indicates no need for watering; if the wilt is too early, lasts a long time, and recovers slowly, it indicates a water shortage.
Alright, the above is the correct method of watering watermelons. Only by mastering the method can you grow high-quality and high-yield watermelons. I hope everyone has a bountiful harvest.
The above is a specific introduction to the appropriate watering frequency for watermelons and the correct methods and techniques of watering from [www.lvzhimi.com], hoping to bring some flower knowledge to green plant enthusiasts.