When is the best time to plant watermelons
Watermelon cultivation tips: This article shares small experiences about when it is suitable to plant watermelons and the timing, techniques, and key points of watermelon cultivation. Next, the editor will introduce to netizens.
\"The fire and smoke are gone after swallowing, and the sound of ice and snow is made when it enters the teeth.\" This is a lines of poetry about watermelons by the famous poet Wen Tianxiang. Watermelon is a common fruit in our lives. It can quench thirst and promote diuresis, especially popular in summer, earning the reputation of the \"King of Midsummer.\" Watermelons not only taste sweet with abundant water content but also contain many beneficial ingredients for the human body. Watermelon is also a fruit with high economic value. Let's take a look at how to plant it and some management issues.
Ⅰ. Watermelon cultivation techniques
1. Seed disinfection
Seeds should be disinfected before sowing. Generally, seeds are soaked in a 50% carbendazim solution (500 times dilution) for one hour. If you want to save time, you can use a 2%~4% bleach solution for disinfection, which can be shortened to half an hour. Be sure to pay attention to the concentration ratio of the disinfectant solution.
2. Seed soaking
Soaking seeds can effectively shorten the germination time. Since the surface of watermelon seeds is relatively thick and has poor water permeability, they should be soaked for 8 hours.
3. Germination
The temperature required for germination is 29℃~30℃. Common germination methods include constant temperature box germination, fire炕 germination, and body germination. Considering the characteristics of watermelon seeds and convenience, it is recommended to use fire炕 germination. The specific operation is to wrap the seeds in a wet cloth, roll the wet cloth well into a plastic bag, and place it under the quilt of the fire炕 for germination. Adjust the position of the seeds in real-time based on the temperature. You can also place the seeds in a pot or next to the pot based on the principle of fire炕 germination.
4. Seedling raising
Watermelon seeding is divided into direct seeding and seedling transplanting. The method of seedling transplanting promotes healthier seed growth. During the seedling transplanting process, the help of a nutrient pot is required to minimize root damage to the plant. The soil should be chosen with moderate viscosity, and fertilizers can use ripe cake fertilizer or farm manure. The ratio of soil to fertilizer should be 7:3, and an appropriate amount of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers and fungicides should be added.
5. Timely sowing
Sowing can be done when the soil temperature of the planting site is maintained above 15℃, but the sowing time can also be chosen based on the situation and planting method.
6. Precautions during sowing
(1) The sowing depth should be appropriate. Decide the sowing depth based on the size of the seeds. Larger seeds are buried deeper, smaller seeds are buried shallowly, with a soil cover thickness of about 1.5cm.
(2) Watermelon seeds are flat and melon-shaped. When sowing, place them flat to reduce the emergence of cap-wearing conditions and promote seed growth.
(3) Do not sow when the temperature is too low. If possible, wait until the seedbed temperature stabilizes at around 25℃ before proceeding with the operation.
(4) Keep the bottom of the bed soil in a higher place, water it first, then sow. Place one seed in each nutrient pot, cover it with a layer of fine soil, and then add a layer of plastic film to help the seeds germinate.
7. Seedbed management
The temperature of the seedbed should be maintained at around 30℃. After the seedlings have grown heart leaves, the temperature can be slightly increased. Insulate the seedbed in the early stage by covering it with insulating materials at night and manually insulate the seedlings when cold air masses arrive.
8. Planting density
The planting density depends on the variety. Generally, the standard is 400~700 seedlings per 667㎡.
Ⅱ. Management methods
1. Land selection and fertilization
Soil with deep layers, loose and ventilated texture, and good drainage performance is suitable for cultivating watermelons, preferably sandy soil. Organic fertilizers and cake fertilizers can be added as base fertilizers, along with a small amount of inorganic fertilizers. The elements of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in the fertilizer should not be lacking.
2. Timely transplantation
When the seedlings have grown 2~3 true leaves, they can be transplanted. Different varieties have different transplantation times depending on their maturity. If it's a wide ridge, transplant two rows; if it's a narrow ridge, transplant one row. Pay attention to mulching during transplantation.
3. Pruning and pressing vines
Three-vine pruning is the most common method. When the main vine has grown 8~9 leaves, two side vines with good growth should be selected in addition to the main vine. When the vine reaches 50cm, press the vine with soil, combining pruning and pressing operations, then repeat every 3~4 internodes, pressing each vine 2~3 times.
4. Setting and turning melons
Leave the second and third female flowers on the main vine, or the first and second female flowers on the side vines, for fruit setting. When pollination is hindered by low temperature and rainy weather, manual pollination should be assisted. After the fruit reaches a certain size, it should be turned over in time, noting to turn in one direction, turning one-third of the watermelon each time.
5. Water and fertilizer management
When the plant has grown to the size of an egg, it is about to enter the expansion period. At this time, apply the expansion fertilizer to the watermelon according to its growth, generally using 15~20 kilograms of sulfate potassium-controlled release fertilizer per mu. Watering should be done in the early morning or evening when the temperature is low, and the watermelon is less likely to be damaged. After rain, the accumulated water in the melon field should be drained in time.
6. Timely harvesting
Harvesting is best done in the morning when the temperature conditions are more suitable. If the distance for marketing and transportation is far and takes a long time, the watermelon can be harvested when it is 80% ripe. If it is sold nearby, it can be harvested when it is 90% ripe.
7. Disease and pest control
Mainly prevent and control wilt disease, anthracnose, viral disease, and pests such as red spider, yellow cucumber beetle, and melon maggot. Timely remove the affected branches, vines, and seedlings and use the corresponding agents to treat the watermelons.
The above content sharing about when it is suitable to plant watermelons and the timing, techniques, and key points of watermelon cultivation is for your comprehensive understanding and reference!