Watermelon Planting Methods and Techniques
An article about the methods and techniques of watermelon cultivation and the steps of growing watermelon at home. Next, the editor will introduce them.
Autumn watermelons usually refer to those sown in summer and harvested in autumn, which belong to off-season cultivation. The maturity period of autumn watermelons is mainly arranged around the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day, with a集中上市, good sales, and high prices, resulting in considerable economic benefits.
1. Sowing Period
Due to the short growth period and the tight rotation of the previous crop, we generally use the seedling transplanting method for autumn watermelon cultivation. The determination of the sowing period should take into account factors such as the characteristics of the watermelon variety and the supply period of maturity. If sown too early, it may encounter high temperatures, which can easily cause heat damage to the seedlings or even death. However, if sown too late, late-stage low temperatures can lead to slow growth, affecting yield and sales, and the fruit may not ripen.
For early-maturing watermelon varieties, sowing usually takes place in mid-July, while for mid-maturing varieties, sowing is in early July. Sowing at this time allows the fruit expansion period to be in September, with large day-night temperature differences, which is conducive to sugar accumulation in the fruit and improves the quality of watermelon.
2. Selection of Watermelon Fields
Continuous cropping of autumn watermelons can easily cause wilt disease. Fields with fertile soil, dry terrain, loose soil texture, convenient irrigation and drainage, and no history of melon crop cultivation in recent years should be selected. It is strictly forbidden to choose waterlogged or waterlogged areas.
3. Soil Preparation and Fertilization
Deeply till the previous crop's field, dig ditches, apply 1000-1500 kilograms of decomposed manure and 45-50 kilograms of compound fertilizer (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) per mu, then level the ridge surface. Generally, the ridge height should be over 20 centimeters, with a ridge width of 2.6-2.8 meters. Deep ditches should be dug around the ridge to facilitate rapid drainage after rain.
4. Fertilization Management
Watermelons require a large amount of fertilizer, have 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 yield, and good quality of watermelons. Apply the base fertilizer uniformly during land preparation, and apply it in concentrated ditches. Apply 2000-2500 kilograms of soil manure, 30-40 kilograms of superphosphate, and 15-20 kilograms of potassium fertilizer per mu, compost and spread it in the soil, then rake it flat and even.
The first topdressing for autumn watermelons is at the 5-leaf stage, applying 10-15 kilograms 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 kilograms of urea and 8-10 kilograms of potassium fertilizer per mu to promote rapid fruit expansion.
5. Proper Pruning
When the main vines of watermelons have 4-5 leaves, pinch the tips, and when the lateral vines are about 15 centimeters long, select 2-3 healthy lateral vines, remove the rest, and leave the tendrils after the fruit-setting position. We can also use the 1 main, 2 lateral, and 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 tendrils before the lateral vines set fruit.
6. Artificial Pollination
Select female flowers that open at the node in the morning from 7 to 9 o'clock for artificial pollination. Choose the day's open male flowers, remove the petals, and evenly apply the male flower pollen to the female stigma. The amount of pollination should be sufficient, usually pollinating 2-3 female flowers with each male flower. After pollination, immediately mark the pollination date on the pollination position.
7. Timely Harvesting
When the expansion of the watermelon fruit slows down or stops, the stripe patterns on the fruit surface become distinct, and a "thump, thump" sound is produced when the fruit surface is tapped with a finger, indicating that the watermelon is ripe and should be harvested and marketed in a timely manner.
The above information on watermelon planting methods and techniques and the steps of growing watermelon at home, have green plant enthusiasts understood it all?