How to Plant Watermelons
An article on practical knowledge for daily life, providing detailed information on how to plant watermelons and the cultivation and management of watermelon plants, here is a comprehensive introduction.
“Once swallowed, it eliminates the烟火气, and upon biting, it makes a sound like ice and snow.” This is a famous poem by Wen Tianxiang, a famous poet, about watermelons. Watermelons are a common fruit in our lives. They can quench thirst and promote diuresis, making them especially popular in the summer, earning them the title of “King of the Midsummer.” Not only are watermelons sweet and juicy, but they also contain many beneficial components for the human body. Watermelons also have a high economic value. Let's take a look at how to plant them and some management issues.
I. Watermelon Planting Techniques
1. Seed Disinfection
Before sowing, the seeds must be disinfected. Generally, soak the seeds 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, 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, the seeds should be soaked for 8 hours.
3. Germination
The temperature for germination should be between 29°C to 30°C. Common germination methods include using a constant temperature incubator, a traditional brick bed, or body heat. Considering the characteristics of watermelon seeds and convenience, it is recommended to use a traditional brick bed for germination. The specific operation is to wrap the seeds in a wet cloth, roll the wet cloth well, put it in a plastic bag, and place it under the bedding of the brick bed 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 beside the pot based on the principle of brick bed germination.
4. Seedling Raising
Planting watermelons can be divided into direct sowing and seedling transplanting. The seedling transplanting method can promote healthier seed growth. During seedling transplanting, the use of a nutrient钵 can help avoid damaging the plant roots. The soil should be moderately sticky, and the fertilizer can be matured cake fertilizer or farmyard manure, with a soil and fertilizer ratio of 7:3, and additional phosphorus-potassium fertilizer and fungicides should be added.
5. Timely Sowing
Sowing can be done when the soil temperature is maintained above 15°C. However, the sowing time can also be chosen based on the situation and planting method.
6. Precautions for Sowing
(1) The depth of sowing should be appropriate. Decide the sowing depth based on the size of the seed. Larger seeds should be buried deeper, smaller seeds shallower, with a covering soil thickness of about 1.5 cm.
(2) Watermelon seeds are flat and kidney-shaped. When sowing, lay them flat to reduce the occurrence of cap emergence and promote seed growth.
(3) Do not sow when the temperature is too low. It's best to wait until the seedbed temperature is stable at around 25°C before proceeding with the operation.
(4) Keep the bottom of the bed soil relatively high and water after sowing. Place one seed in each nutrient钵, cover it with a layer of fine soil, and then add a layer of plastic film to facilitate seed germination.
7. Seedbed Management
The temperature of the seedbed should be maintained at around 30°C. When the seedlings have grown heart leaves, the temperature can be slightly increased. In the early stage, keep the seedbed warm by covering it with insulating materials at night and manually insulate the seedlings when cold air arrives.
8. Planting Density
The planting density should be determined by the variety. Generally, the standard is to plant 400 to 700 seedlings per 667㎡.
II. Management Methods
1. Site Selection and Fertilization
Soil that is deep, loose, and well-draining is suitable for cultivating watermelons, preferably sandy soil. Organic fertilizer and cake fertilizer can be added as base fertilizers, along with a small amount of inorganic fertilizer. Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium elements in the fertilizer cannot be missing.
2. Timely Planting
Seedlings can be transplanted when they have 2 to 3 true leaves. Different varieties have different transplanting times based on their maturity. For wide beds, plant two rows; for narrow beds, 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 50 cm, press them with soil, combining pruning and pressing, and repeat the operation every 3 to 4 nodes, pressing each vine 2 to 3 times.
4. Fruit Setting and Turning
Leave the second and third female flowers on the main vine, or the first and second on the side vines, for fruit setting. In low-temperature and rainy conditions, manual pollination should be assisted. When the fruit is a certain size, turn it in one direction, turning one-third of the watermelon 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 the expansion fertilizer according to the growth of the watermelon, generally using 15 to 20 kilograms of potassium sulfate-controlled release fertilizer per mu. Watering should be done in the early morning or evening when the temperature is low, and after rain, drain the accumulated water in the field.
6. Timely Harvesting
Harvesting is best done in the morning when the temperature is suitable. If the distance for marketing and transportation is far and takes a long time, the watermelons can be harvested when they are 80% mature. If they are sold nearby, they can be harvested when they are 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 affected branches, vines, and seedlings and use corresponding medications to treat the watermelons.
The above comprehensive introduction to how to plant watermelons and detailed information on the cultivation and management of watermelons is hoped to bring some knowledge about green plants to enthusiasts.