How to grow watermelon that is both large and sweet
Let's share how to grow watermelon that is large and sweet, as well as the methods and steps of planting watermelon in the field of green plants and flowers. Follow the editor to find out more!
Autumn watermelon usually refers to the watermelon planted in summer and harvested in autumn, which belongs to off-season cultivation. The maturity period of autumn watermelon is mainly arranged around the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day, with a concentrated market launch, good sales, and high prices, making it a very profitable economic crop.
1. Sowing period
Due to the short growth period of autumn watermelon and the tight rotation of the previous crop, we generally use the seedling transplanting method. The determination of the sowing period should take into account factors such as the characteristics of the watermelon variety and the supply period. If sown too early, high temperatures can easily cause damage or even death to the seedlings. However, if sown too late, late-stage low temperatures can lead to slow growth, affecting yield and sales, and even preventing the fruit from maturing.
For early-maturing watermelon varieties, sowing usually takes place in mid-July, while mid-maturing varieties are sown in early July. Sowing at this time allows the fruit expansion period to occur in September, with large day-night temperature differences, which is conducive to the accumulation of sugar in the fruit and improves the quality of the watermelon.
2. Selection of watermelon fields
Continuous cropping of autumn watermelon can easily cause wilt disease. It is necessary to choose fertile soil, high and dry terrain, loose soil texture, convenient irrigation and drainage, and land that has not planted melon crops in recent years. Avoid choosing waterlogged or water-accumulating areas.
3. Land preparation and fertilization
Deeply plow the previous crop's land, open ditches, and apply 1000-1500 kg of decomposed farm manure and 45-50 kg of compound fertilizer (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) per mu, then level the ridge surface. Generally, the ridge should be over 20 cm high, with a ridge surface width of 2.6-2.8 meters, and deep ditches should be dug around the perimeter to facilitate rapid drainage after rain.
4. Fertilization management
Watermelon requires a large amount of fertilizer, has a long growth period, and it is difficult to supplement fertilizer in the later stage. Therefore, applying sufficient base fertilizer is a crucial step in achieving high yield, stable production, and good quality. Apply the fertilizer generally during land preparation, with concentrated application in ditches, using 2000-2500 kg of soil manure, 30-40 kg of superphosphate, and 15-20 kg of potassium fertilizer per mu. Compost and spread it into the soil, then rake it flat and even.
The first topdressing for autumn watermelon is at the five-leaf stage, applying 10-15 kg of compound fertilizer per mu to promote plant growth and rapid vine extension. The second topdressing is within one week after flowering, applying 10-15 kg of urea and 8-10 kg of potassium fertilizer per mu, which can promote rapid fruit expansion.
5. Reasonable pruning
When the main vine of the watermelon has 4-5 leaves, pinch the top, and when the lateral vines are about 15 cm long, select 2-3 healthy lateral vines and remove the rest and the granddaughter vines before the fruiting node. Appropriate granddaughter vines can be left after the fruiting node. We can also use the 1 main 2 lateral 3 vine pruning method, which means keeping 1 main vine and 2 lateral vines, removing the rest of the lateral vines when the first female flower on the main vine opens, and removing the granddaughter vines before the lateral vines fruit.
6. Artificial pollination
Choose the female flowers that open at the node in the morning from 7 to 9 o'clock for artificial pollination. Select the male flowers that open on the same day, remove the petals, and evenly apply the pollen to the stigma of the female flowers. The amount of pollination should be sufficient, usually pollinating 2-3 female flowers with one male flower. After pollination, mark the pollination date on the pollination node immediately.
7. Harvesting at the right time
When the expansion of the watermelon fruit slows down or stops, the stripes and net patterns on the fruit surface become distinct, and the fruit surface makes a "thump, thump" sound when tapped with a finger, indicating that the watermelon is ripe and should be harvested and brought to market promptly.
The above introduction on how to grow large and sweet watermelon and the specific steps and methods of planting watermelon are for everyone's reference.