How to Plant Watermelon Seedlings
An introduction to the knowledge of life, regarding how to plant watermelon seedlings and the cultivation methods and techniques of watermelon in the field of green plants and flowers. Please see the detailed introduction below.
“A single bite removes the smoky flavor, and upon chewing, it sounds like ice and snow.” This is the ode to watermelon by the famous poet Wen Tianxiang. Watermelon is a common fruit in our lives. It can quench thirst and has diuretic effects, making it especially popular in summer, earning the reputation of the "King of Midsummer." Watermelon not only tastes sweet with abundant juice but also contains many beneficial components for the human body. Watermelon is also a fruit with high economic value. Let's take a look at how to cultivate it and some management matters related to watermelon.
I. Watermelon Cultivation Techniques
1. Seed disinfection
Disinfect the seeds before sowing, generally using a 50% carbendazim solution diluted 500 times to soak the seeds for 1 hour. If you want to save time, you can use a 2%~4% bleach 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 outer layer of watermelon seeds is relatively thick and not very permeable, the seeds should be soaked for 8 hours.
3. Germination
The temperature required for germination is 29℃~30℃. Common germination methods include constant temperature box germination, fire炕 germination, and body germination. Considering the characteristics of watermelon seeds and convenience, it is recommended to use fire炕 germination. The specific operation involves wrapping the seeds in a damp cloth, rolling the damp cloth into a plastic bag, and placing it under the bedding on the fire炕 for germination. Adjust the position of the seeds in real-time based on the temperature. You can also germinate the seeds in a pot or next to a pot based on the principle of fire炕 germination.
4. Seedling raising
Planting watermelon seeds can be divided into direct seeding and seedling transplanting. The seedling transplanting method is more conducive to the healthy growth of seeds. During the seedling transplanting process, the use of a nutrient pot can help minimize root damage. The soil should be of medium stickiness, and fertilizers can include decomposed cake fertilizer or farm manure, with a soil and 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 soil temperature of the planting area 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 depth of sowing should be appropriate. Decide the 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 melon-shaped. When sowing, lay them flat to reduce the occurrence of hatting 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 moisture of the bed soil at a higher level, water 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 facilitate seed germination.
7. Seedbed management
The temperature of the seedbed should be maintained at about 30℃, and the temperature can be slightly increased after the seedlings have grown heart leaves. In the early stage, the seedbed should be kept warm by covering it with insulating materials at night, and artificial insulation should be provided when cold currents arrive.
8. Planting density
The planting density should be determined based on the variety, generally with a standard of 400~700 seedlings per 667㎡.
II. Management Methods
1. Site selection and fertilization
Soil with deep layers, loose and breathable texture, and good drainage performance is suitable for cultivating watermelon, with sandy soil being the best choice. Organic fertilizers and cake fertilizers can be added as base fertilizers, along with a small amount of inorganic fertilizers. The elements of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in the fertilizer cannot be missing.
2. Timely planting
Seedlings with 2~3 true leaves can be transplanted, and the planting time varies for different maturity varieties. For wide ridges, two rows can be planted, and for narrow ridges, 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 8~9 leaves, in addition to the main vine, two side vines with good growth should be selected. When the vines reach 50 cm long, press the vines with soil, combining pruning and pressing every 3~4 nodes, and each vine should be pressed 2~3 times.
4. Setting and turning watermelons
Leave the second and third female flowers on the main vine, or the first and second female flowers on the side vines, for setting fruit. When pollination is hindered by low temperature and rainy weather, artificial pollination should be assisted. After the fruit reaches a certain size, it should be turned over, making sure to turn in one direction, rotating one-third of the watermelon each time.
5. Water and fertilizer management
When the plant reaches 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, usually 15~20 kilograms of sulfate potassium controlled-release fertilizer per mu. Watering should be done in the early morning or evening when the temperature is lower, as it is less likely to damage the watermelon. And after the rain, the accumulated water in the melon field should be drained in time.
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 watermelon can be harvested when it is 80% mature. If it is sold nearby, it can be harvested when it is 90% mature.
7. Disease and pest control
Mainly prevent and control diseases such as wilt, anthracnose, virus disease, and pests such as red spiders, yellow guards, and melon maggots. Timely remove the affected branches, vines, and seedlings and use corresponding agents to treat the watermelon.
The introduction of how to plant watermelon seedlings and the methods of watermelon cultivation shared in this article are for reference only.