How to Plant Watermelons
Today, the editor introduces how to plant watermelons and the new techniques and management of watermelon cultivation, let's follow the editor to take a look!
Mini watermelons (Citrullus sp.) are also known as dwarf watermelons, mini watermelons, or gift watermelons. They belong to the Cucurbitaceae family and are annual herbs. Their fruits are attractive, small and delicate, with tender flesh, abundant juice, and sweet taste, making them of superior quality. With the continuous development of society and economy, the improvement of people's living standards, and the constant updating of dietary concepts, mini watermelons have gradually been accepted by people and are rapidly promoted and planted across the country, becoming one of the high-efficiency agricultural projects. Mini watermelons are rich in nutrients, containing 7.3% to 13% sugar, as well as abundant minerals and various vitamins. Watermelons have the effect of clearing heat and quenching thirst, and are auxiliary in the treatment of diseases such as nephritis, diabetes, and bladder issues. The rind can be made into jam or candy, while the seeds can be pressed for oil, roasted for consumption, or used as ingredients in pastries.
1. Seedling Raising
Use (8x8) cm nutrient pots for seedling raising, following soilless seedling raising techniques and applying grafting techniques.
2. Soil Preparation and Fertilization
Prepare the soil and apply fertilizer before planting, applying 1000 to 1500 kg of organic decomposed fertilizer and 50 kg of NPK compound fertilizer per 667 square meters.
3. Planting
When the seedlings have 3-4 leaves and the ground temperature is stable at above 15°C, and the air temperature is above 12°C, they can be planted. For ground cultivation with two vines per plant, plant 700 to 800 seedlings per 667 square meters, and for three vines per plant, plant 500 to 600 seedlings. For trellis cultivation with two vines per plant, plant 1100 to 1300 seedlings.
4. Plant Adjustment
When mini watermelons have 5-6 true leaves, leave 5 leaves and pinch the top to promote the growth of lateral vines. When the lateral vines grow to 40-50 cm, select 2-3 healthy and整齐 lateral vines and remove the rest. For ground cultivation, after fruit setting, leave 10-15 leaves on the fruiting node and remove the top. For trellis cultivation, after two or three vines are pruned, remove the top of the lateral vines when the vines fill the trellis. After the watermelons expand, decide whether to remove or keep the new lateral vines based on the field density. For ground cultivation, when pruning, ensure that the lateral and new lateral vines are evenly distributed in the field to avoid intertwining and shading. Since mini watermelons are small in size and easy to set fruit, especially in multi-vine cultivation, they can continuously set fruit, so it is necessary to thin the fruits appropriately in field management to improve the fruit's commercial grade.
How to Plant Watermelons
5. Artificial Pollination
For facility cultivation of mini watermelons, with little wind and few insects, artificial pollination should be performed to improve the fruit-setting rate. Artificial pollination is carried out between 9 and 11 am.
6. Fertilization and Water Management
For the cultivation of mini watermelons, based on sufficient base fertilizer and water, no additional fertilizer or water is applied before the first batch of fruits is harvested. When most of the first batch of fruits have been harvested and the second batch begins to expand, apply a top dressing with 50 kg of NPK compound fertilizer per 667 square meters, applying it in holes 5-8 cm away from the roots, covering the soil, and then watering.
7. Temperature Control
For cultivating mini watermelons in facilities during early spring and autumn, temperature management is crucial. In the early growth stage, the daytime temperature should be 22-25°C and the nighttime temperature above 12°C. During the fruit-setting stage, the daytime temperature should be 25-28°C and the nighttime temperature above 15°C. During the fruit expansion stage, the daytime temperature should be 28-35°C and the nighttime temperature above 16°C. (Four) Harvesting Mini watermelons usually mature 35-40 days after flowering. Mature fruits have a shrunken fruit stem and fruit peduncle, the fruit stem hair falls off, and the tendrils at the fruiting node are withered. This is when they can be harvested. Leave a 6-8 cm long fruit stem and package with foam netting before selling in boxes.
The above sharing on how to plant watermelons and the new techniques and management of watermelon cultivation, hope it is helpful to green plant enthusiasts!