How to Plant Watermelons
Answering netizens' questions about how to plant watermelons and related content about the cultivation and management of watermelon green plants, next [] the editor will introduce.
“Swallowing eliminates the smoky flavor, and crunching makes a sound like ice and snow.” This is a famous poet Wen Tianxiang's ode to watermelons. Watermelons are a common fruit in our lives, which can quench thirst, clear heat, and promote diuresis, especially popular in summer, earning the reputation of the “King of Midsummer.” Watermelons not only taste sweet and contain ample water but also have 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 matters.
Ⅰ. Watermelon Planting Techniques
1. Seed Disinfection
Seeds must be disinfected before sowing, generally by soaking them in a 50% carbendazim 500-fold solution for one hour. If you want to save time, you can use a 2% to 4% bleach 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 seeds can effectively shorten the germination time. Since the outer layer of watermelon seeds is relatively thick and has poor water permeability, they should be soaked for 8 hours.
3. Germination
The temperature required for germination is 29°C to 30°C. Common germination methods include constant temperature box germination, brick bed germination, and body germination. Considering the characteristics of watermelon seeds and convenience, it is recommended to use brick bed germination. The specific operation is to wrap the seeds in a wet cloth, roll up the wet cloth, and place it in a plastic bag, then put it under the bedding of the brick bed for germination. Adjust the position of the seeds in real-time based on the temperature. Alternatively, seeds can be placed in a pot or near a pot based on the principle of brick bed germination.
4. Seedling Raising
Watermelon planting is divided into direct sowing and seedling transplanting. The seedling transplanting method promotes healthier seed growth. During seedling transplanting, the use of nutrient pots can help avoid damaging the root system. The soil should be of moderate stickiness, and fertilizers can include decomposed cake fertilizer or farmyard manure, with a soil and fertilizer ratio of 7:3, and an appropriate amount of phosphorus-potassium fertilizer and fungicides should be added.
5. Timely Sowing
Sowing can be done when the soil temperature in the planting area is maintained above 15°C. However, the sowing time can also be chosen based on the situation and planting method.
6. Precautions During Sowing
(1) The depth of sowing should be appropriate. Decide the depth based on the size of the seeds, with large seeds buried deeper and small seeds shallower, with a soil coverage thickness of about 1.5 cm.
(2) Watermelon seeds are flat and melon-shaped, so they should be placed flat during sowing 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.
(4) Keep the bottom of the bed soil moist before 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 seeds germinate.
7. Seedbed Management
The temperature of the seedbed should be maintained at around 30°C. When the seedlings have grown their first true leaves, the temperature can be slightly increased. Insulate the seedbed in the early stage by covering it with insulating materials at night, and also manually insulate the seedlings when cold spells occur.
8. Planting Density
The planting density should be determined by the variety, generally with a standard of 400 to 700 seedlings per 667㎡.
Ⅱ. Management Methods
1. Site Selection and Fertilization
Soil that is deep, loose, and well-drained is suitable for cultivating watermelons, with sandy soil being ideal. Organic fertilizer and cake fertilizer can be added as base fertilizers, along with a small amount of inorganic fertilizer. The nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium elements in the fertilizer cannot be lacking.
2. Timely Planting
When the seedlings have grown 2 to 3 true leaves, they can be planted, with different varieties having different planting times. If it's a wide ridge, plant two rows, and if it's 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, two good side vines should be selected in addition to the main vine. When the vines reach 50 cm long, press them with soil, combining pruning and pressing every 3 to 4 nodes, with each vine pressed 2 to 3 times.
4. Setting and Turning Fruits
Leave the second and third female flowers on the main vine, or the first and second on the side vines, to set fruits. During low-temperature and rainy days, when pollination is hindered, manual pollination should be assisted. After the fruit reaches a certain size, it should be turned promptly, making sure to turn it in one direction, and each turn should move one-third of the watermelon.
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 fertilizer based on the plant's growth, generally with 15 to 20 kilograms of sulfate-potassium controlled-release fertilizer per mu. Watering should be done in the early morning or evening when the temperature is lower, and after rain, accumulated water in the field should be drained promptly.
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 watermelons can be harvested when they are 80% ripe. If it is sold nearby, it can be harvested when it is 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 cucurbit beetles, and melon borers. Promptly remove affected branches, vines, and seedlings and use corresponding agents to treat the watermelons.
The above sharing on how to plant watermelons and comprehensive introduction to the cultivation and management of watermelons is hoped to bring some knowledge about green plants to green plant enthusiasts.