How to manage watermelons to bear fruit
The website introduces how to manage watermelons to bear fruit and the cultivation techniques and management of watermelon planting, with the following detailed introduction:
“Once swallowed, it eliminates the smoky flavor; once bitten, it sounds like ice and snow.” This is the praise for watermelons by the famous poet Wen Tianxiang. Watermelon is a common fruit in our lives. It can quench thirst and has diuretic effects, making it especially popular in summer, earning the title of “King of Midsummer.” Watermelon not only tastes sweet with abundant juice but also contains many beneficial components for the human body. Watermelon also has a high economic value. Let's take a look at how to plant it and some management issues related to watermelon.
Ⅰ. Watermelon Cultivation Techniques
1. Seed disinfection
Disinfect the seeds before planting, usually by soaking them in a 50% carbendazim solution diluted 500 times for an hour. If you want to save time, you can use a 2%~4% bleaching powder 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 the seeds can effectively shorten the germination time. Since the outer layer of watermelon seeds is relatively thick and not very permeable, they should be soaked for 8 hours.
3. Germination
The temperature required for germination is between 29℃ to 30℃. Common germination methods include using a constant temperature box, a fire坑, or human body germination. Considering the characteristics of watermelon seeds and convenience, it is recommended to use fire坑 germination. The specific operation involves wrapping the seeds in a damp cloth, rolling the damp cloth into a plastic bag, and placing it under the bedding of the fire坑 for germination. Adjust the position of the seeds in real-time based on the temperature. Alternatively, you can place the seeds in a pot or next to the pot based on the principle of fire坑 germination.
4. Seedling raising
Watermelon planting is divided into direct seeding and seedling transplantation. The method of seedling transplantation promotes healthier seedling growth. During the seedling transplantation process, the use of a nutrient pot is helpful to avoid damaging the root system. The soil should be of medium viscosity, and fertilizers can include decomposed cake fertilizer or farmyard 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
Planting can be done when the soil temperature is maintained above 15℃, but the sowing time can also be chosen based on specific conditions and planting methods.
6. Precautions during sowing
(1) The sowing depth should be appropriate. Decide the depth based on the size of the seed. Larger seeds are buried deeper, and smaller seeds are buried shallowly, with a thickness of about 1.5 cm.
(2) Watermelon seeds are flat and melon-shaped. When sowing, place them flat to reduce the emergence of hat problems and promote seed growth.
(3) Do not sow when the temperature is too low. If possible, wait until the bed temperature is stable at around 25℃ before operating.
(4) The bottom of the bed soil should be kept at a higher place, watered after sowing. Place one seed in each nutrient pot, cover it with a layer of fine soil, and then cover it with a layer of plastic film to help the seed germinate.
7. Bed management
The temperature of the bed should be kept at around 30℃, and after the seedlings have grown heart leaves, the temperature can be slightly increased. In the early stage, the bed should be kept warm by covering the bed with insulation material at night. When a cold current comes, the seedlings should be artificially kept warm.
8. Planting density
The planting density depends on the variety. Generally, the standard is 400-700 seedlings per 667㎡.
Ⅱ. Management Methods
1. Land and fertilization
Soil with deep layers, loose and breathable, and good drainage is suitable for cultivating watermelons, preferably sandy soil. Organic fertilizers and cake fertilizers can be added as base fertilizers, and a small amount of inorganic fertilizers cannot be missing.
2. Timely value
When the seedlings have 2-3 true leaves, they can be fixed. Different varieties have different maturity times. If the bed is wide, two rows can be transplanted, and if the bed is narrow, one row can be transplanted. When移植, attention is paid to the film at the same time.
3. Branch pressing
Three蔓 branching is the most common way. When the main蔓 grows 8-9 leaves, choose two good side蔓. When the melon蔓 grows to 50cm, press the soil with the蔓, press the soil, and combine the branching. Then repeat every 3-4 nodes, and each branch should press 2-3 times.
4. Situ and turn the melon
Leave the second and third female flowers on the main蔓 or the first and second female flowers on the side蔓. When the temperature is low and the weather is blocked, help the melon to be pollinated. When the fruit is large, turn the melon one-third at a time.
5. Water and fertilizer management
When the plant is the size of an egg, it will soon enter the expansion period. At this time, it should be expanded based on the growth of the melon. Generally, every mu should be applied with 15-20 kg of potassium sulfate controlled-release fertilizer. Watering should be done early and late when the temperature is low, and the melon is not easily harmed. After the rain, the water in the melon field should be drained in time.
6. Timely harvesting
Harvesting is best done when the morning temperature is suitable. If the distance to market and transportation is long and time-consuming, the melon can be harvested when it is 80% mature. If it is nearby, it can be harvested when it is 90% mature.
7. Disease and pest control
Mainly control the withering disease, anthrax, virus disease, and red spider, yellow guard, melon maggot and other pests harmful to watermelon. In time, remove the affected branches, vines, and seedlings, and use the corresponding medicine for watermelon treatment.
The above comprehensive explanation of how to manage watermelons to bear fruit and the management methods of watermelon cultivation techniques and management, hoping to solve your green planting problems.