How to Plant Watermelons
Below is an introduction to the knowledge of how to plant watermelons and the methods and techniques of watermelon cultivation for green plants and flowers, detailed for you as follows:
“A single bite eliminates the smoky flavor, and upon entering the teeth, it sounds like ice and snow.” This is a lines from the famous poet Wen Tianxiang's praise of watermelons. Watermelons are a common fruit in our lives. They can quench thirst and have diuretic properties, making them especially popular in the summer, earning them the title of "King of the Midsummer." Watermelons not only taste sweet and have abundant water content but also contain many beneficial ingredients for the human body. Watermelons also have high economic value. Let's take a look together at how to cultivate them and some management issues related to watermelons.
One, Watermelon Cultivation Techniques
1. Seed disinfection
Before sowing, seeds must be disinfected. Generally, seeds are soaked in a 50% carbendazim solution diluted 500 times for one hour. If you want to save time, you can use a 2% to 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 outer layer of watermelon seeds is relatively thick and has poor water permeability, they should be soaked for 8 hours.
3. Germination
The germination temperature should be between 29°C and 30°C. Common germination methods include using a constant temperature box, a fire炕, or the human body. Considering the characteristics of watermelon seeds and convenience, it is recommended to use a fire炕 for germination. The specific operation is to wrap the seeds in a wet cloth, roll the wet cloth well, and place it in a plastic bag, then put it under the bedding of the fire炕 for germination. Adjust the position of the seeds in real-time based on the temperature. You can also germinate the seeds by placing them in a pot or beside it, following the principle of fire炕 germination.
4. Seedling raising
Sowing watermelons can be done through direct sowing or seedling transplanting. The method of seedling transplanting promotes healthier seed growth. During the seedling transplanting process, the use of a nutrient pot is helpful to avoid damaging the plant roots. The soil should be selected to have a moderate stickiness, and the fertilizer can be matured cake fertilizer or farm manure. The soil and fertilizer ratio should be 7:3, and an appropriate amount of phosphorus-potassium fertilizer and fungicides should be added.
5. Timely sowing
Sowing can be done when the soil temperature of the planting area is maintained above 15°C, but the sowing time can also be chosen based on the situation and planting method.
6. Precautions during sowing
(1) The depth of sowing should be appropriate. Decide the depth of planting based on the size of the seeds, with larger seeds buried deeper and smaller seeds buried shallowly, with a soil cover thickness of about 1.5 cm.
(2) Watermelon seeds are flat and melon-shaped, so they should be placed flat during sowing to reduce the likelihood of "helmet" emergence and promote seed growth.
(3) Do not sow at low temperatures. If possible, wait until the seedbed temperature is stable at around 25°C before sowing.
(4) Keep the bottom moisture of the bed soil at a higher level, water it first, then sow the seeds. 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 about 30°C. When the seedlings have grown heart leaves, the temperature can be slightly increased. In the early stage, the seedbed should be kept warm by covering it with insulating materials at night, and when cold air currents come, the seedlings should be artificially insulated.
8. Planting density
The planting density should be determined by the variety, generally ranging from 400 to 700 seedlings per 667㎡.
Two, Management Methods
1. Site selection and fertilization
Soil with deep layers, loose and breathable texture, and good drainage is suitable for watermelon cultivation, preferably sandy soil. Organic fertilizers and cake fertilizers can be added as base fertilizers, and a small amount of inorganic fertilizers can also be added. The elements of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium should not be lacking.
2. Timely transplanting
Seedlings with 2 to 3 true leaves can be transplanted, and the transplanting time varies depending on the variety and maturity. If it is a wide ridge, two rows can be transplanted, and if it is a narrow ridge, one row can be transplanted. Pay attention to mulching during transplanting.
3. Pruning and pressing vines
Three-vine pruning is the most common method, where, in addition to the main vine, two side vines with good growth are selected when the main vine has grown 8 to 9 leaves. When the vines reach 50 cm long, press the vines with soil, combining pruning and pressing every 3 to 4 internodes, with each vine pressed 2 to 3 times.
4. Setting and turning watermelons
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 temperatures and rainy weather, manual pollination should be assisted. When the fruit reaches a certain size, it should be turned over, making sure to turn in one direction, moving one-third of the watermelon each time.
5. Water and fertilizer management
When the plant grows to the size of an egg, it is about to enter the expansion period, and it is necessary to apply expansion fertilizers based on the growth of the watermelon, generally using 15 to 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 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% mature. If it is sold locally, it can be harvested when it is 90% mature.
7. Disease and pest control
Mainly prevent and control diseases such as wilt, anthracnose, viral diseases, and pests such as red spiders, yellow beetles, and melon borers. Timely remove the affected branches, vines, and seedlings and use the corresponding agents for treatment.
The above content on how to plant watermelons and the specific methods and techniques of watermelon cultivation can bring you help. Remember to visit the website often!