How to Plant Watermelons
The editor answers questions for netizens about how to plant watermelons and related topics such as watermelon cultivation and management techniques. The following is an introduction for you in detail.
“Once swallowed, it eliminates the smoky flavor; when it enters the teeth, it sounds like ice and snow.” This is the ode to watermelons by the famous poet Wen Tianxiang. Watermelons are a common fruit in our lives. They can quench thirst and generate saliva, clear heat, and promote diuresis, making them especially popular in summer and earning the reputation of the "King of Midsummer." Watermelons not only taste sweet with abundant water content but also contain many beneficial components for the human body. Watermelons are also a fruit with high economic value. Let's take a look at how to plant them and some management issues.
1. Watermelon Planting Techniques
1. Seed disinfection
Before sowing, the 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% bleaching powder solution for disinfection, reducing the time 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 surface layer of watermelon seeds is relatively thick and not permeable, the seeds should be soaked for 8 hours.
3. Germination
The germination temperature should be between 29℃ to 30℃. Common germination methods include constant temperature incubator, fire bed, and body germination. Considering the characteristics of watermelon seeds and convenience, it is recommended to use fire bed germination. The specific operation involves wrapping the seeds in a wet cloth, rolling the wet cloth well, placing it in a plastic bag, and placing it under the bedding of the fire bed for germination. Adjust the position of the seeds based on the temperature. You can also germinate seeds in a pot or beside the pot based on the principle of fire bed germination.
4. Seedling raising
Sowing watermelons can be done through direct sowing or seedling transplantation. Seedling transplantation promotes healthier seed growth. During the process of seedling transplantation, the use of nutrient pots can help minimize root damage. The soil should be moderately sticky, and fertilizers can include decomposed cake fertilizer or farmyard manure, with a soil-fertilizer ratio of 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 ground temperature 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 planting depth based on the size of the seeds, with larger seeds buried deeper and smaller seeds buried shallower, with a covering soil thickness of about 1.5cm.
(2) Watermelon seeds are flat and melon-shaped. When sowing, they should be placed flat to reduce the likelihood of cap emergence 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.
(4) Keep the bottom of the bed soil at a higher level, water it first, and then sow. 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 seeds germinate.
7. Seedbed management
The temperature of the seedbed should be maintained at around 30℃, and the temperature can be slightly increased after the seedlings have grown heart leaves. Insulate the seedbed in the early stage by covering it with insulating materials at night, and also manually insulate the seedlings when cold currents arrive.
8. Planting density
The planting density should be determined based on the variety, generally with 400 to 700 seedlings per 667㎡.
2. Management Methods
1. Site selection and fertilization
Soil that is deep, loose, well-drained, and sandy is suitable for cultivating watermelons. Organic fertilizers and cake fertilizers can be used as base fertilizers, and a small amount of inorganic fertilizers can also be added. Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium elements in fertilizers should not be lacking.
2. Timely planting
Seedlings with 2 to 3 true leaves can be planted. Different varieties have different planting times depending on their maturity. If it is a wide ridge, plant two rows; if it is a narrow ridge, plant one row. Cover the film during transplanting.
3. Pruning and pressing vines
Three-vine pruning is the most common method. When the main vine has grown 8 to 9 leaves, select two side vines with good growth in addition to the main vine. When the vines reach 50cm, press them with soil, combining pruning and pressing every 3 to 4 nodes, and repeat the operation 2 to 3 times for each vine.
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 setting melons. When pollination is hindered by low temperature and rainy weather, assist with manual pollination. When the fruit has reached a certain size, turn the melons in one direction, turning one-third of the melon 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 expansion fertilizers based on the plant's growth, usually 15 to 20 kilograms of sulfate potassium-controlled release fertilizer per mu. Watering should be done early in the morning or evening when the temperature is lower, and after rain, promptly drain the accumulated water in the melon field.
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 melons can be harvested when they are 80% ripe. If it is nearby, they can be harvested when they are 90% ripe.
7. Disease and pest control
Mainly prevent and control diseases such as wilt, anthracnose, viral diseases, and pests such as red spiders, yellow cucumber beetles, and melon maggots. Promptly remove the affected branches, vines, and seedlings and use the corresponding agents to treat the watermelons.
The above[] introduces the experience of planting watermelons and watermelon cultivation and management techniques, hoping to bring help to your life!