When to Plant Watermelon Seedlings
The editor provides you with answers to when to plant watermelon seedlings and an introduction to the green plant and flower aspect of detailed planting time for watermelon seedlings. Let's share the detailed content next.
Watermelon is sweet and delicious, a must-have summer heat reliever for people. Therefore, the number of farmers planting watermelons has been increasing in recent years. Since watermelons are divided into early-maturing, mid-maturing, and late-maturing varieties, the planting times differ. Let's introduce the planting time, how to plant, field management, and harvesting.
1. Planting Time
Since watermelons are divided into early-maturing, mid-maturing, and late-maturing varieties, the planting times differ. Generally, early-maturing watermelon seedlings can be planted around March each year, mid-maturing seedlings can be planted between April and June, and late-maturing ones need to be planted after July.
2. Soil Preparation and Fertilization
Deeply turn the soil and let it dry for 15 days. Apply 60 kilograms of quicklime per mu, crumble the soil, and prepare ridges 40 centimeters high, with one side having a 20-centimeter斜面 ridge. Dig a planting trench 25 centimeters deep and 40 centimeters wide on the higher side of the ridge, and apply decomposed manure at 1000 kilograms per mu, compound fertilizer at 20 kilograms, boron fertilizer at 2 kilograms, and magnesium sulfate at 4 kilograms. Mix the fertilizer with the soil evenly.
3. Germination Promotion
Before sowing, place the seeds in the open air for two days, then soak them in warm water for 6 hours to increase seed vitality. Rinse the seeds with a 5% lime solution until the surface is not smooth. After cleaning the seeds, you can start sowing. Place one seed in each prepared seedling cup, cover with 1 centimeter of nutrient-rich soil, cover with plastic film, and maintain the greenhouse temperature between 22-28 degrees Celsius. Gradually lower the temperature after the true leaves appear. Before germination, keep the temperature in the pot consistent with the natural temperature to adapt to the natural temperature after planting.
4. How to Plant
First, dig a hole every 50 centimeters or so on the ridges of the selected land, then take the cultivated watermelon seedlings out of the culture dish and place them in the pre-dug holes. After watering, cover the seedlings with a thin layer of fine soil to prevent evaporation or loss of water.
5. Field Management
At least 3-5 waterings are required during the entire growth process of watermelons. Watering should be done promptly after the vines start to stretch to avoid moisture deficiency that may inhibit the growth of the seedlings. When the watermelons grow to the size of a fist, watering should be done promptly to ensure normal growth and better quality. Whether watering or on rainy days, be careful to avoid waterlogging in the field, which may cause poor respiration of the seedling roots and lead to death. Since watermelons are fertilization-loving crops, it is necessary to ensure sufficient water and fertilizer. Generally, only two topdressings are needed, with 20-25 kilograms of urea and 10-15 kilograms of potassium sulfate recommended per mu.
6. Pruning and Pressing Vines
Watermelons usually adopt double-vine pruning, selecting a strong side vine at the base of the main vine and removing all other side vines. This ensures reasonable vine distribution, increases overall light penetration, and enhances plant disease resistance. When the vines reach 30 centimeters long, lay the seedlings flat and secure the vines to the ground with soil blocks. Pressing vines can stabilize the seedlings and control plant growth.
7. Timely Harvesting
When the watermelon has clear fruit patterns, good surface luster, the navel and stem end begin to shrink, the tendrils at the fruiting node become dry and sparse or fall off, and a dull sound is produced when tapped with a finger, it indicates that the watermelon is ripe and can be harvested. If sold locally, it can be harvested when the watermelon is 9-10 ripe. If it needs to be transported for sale elsewhere, it can be harvested when the watermelon is 8-9 ripe.
The above is a detailed introduction to when to plant watermelon seedlings and the detailed planting time for watermelon seedlings. Did you get it?