How to Plant and Manage Watermelons
Let me tell you about how to plant and manage watermelons and the related introduction of watermelon planting methods and techniques, which will surely help you. Let's learn about it together!
“Swallowing eliminates the烟火气, and biting makes an ice and snow sound.” 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 promote diuresis, and are especially popular in summer, earning the reputation of the “king of midsummer.” Watermelons not only taste sweet and have abundant water content but also contain many beneficial components for the human body. Watermelons also have high economic value. Let's take a look at how to plant them and some management issues together.
I. Watermelon Planting Techniques
1. Seed disinfection
Disinfect the seeds before sowing, usually by soaking the seeds in a 50% carbendazim 500x solution for one hour. If you want to save time, you can use a 2%~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 outer layer of watermelon seeds is relatively thick and has poor water permeability, the seeds should be soaked for 8 hours.
3. Germination
The temperature for germination should be between 29°C and 30°C. Common germination methods include constant temperature incubator, stove germination, and body germination. Considering the characteristics of watermelon seeds and convenience, it is recommended to use stove 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 stove for germination. Adjust the seed's position in real-time based on the temperature. You can also use the principle of stove germination to place the seeds in a pot or beside the pot for germination.
4. Seedling raising
Watermelon planting is divided into direct sowing and seedling transplanting. The seedling transplanting method promotes healthier seed growth. During the seedling transplanting process, the help of a nutrient pot is needed to avoid damaging the plant roots. The soil should be of moderate粘度, and the fertilizer can use ripe cake fertilizer or farm manure, with a soil and fertilizer ratio of 7:3, and an appropriate amount of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer and fungicides should be added.
5. Timely sowing
Sowing can begin when the ground temperature is maintained above 15°C, 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 depth based on the size of the seeds, deeper for large seeds and shallower for small ones, 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 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 is stable at around 25°C before proceeding with the operation.
(4) Keep the bottom of the bed soil in a higher position, water after sowing. Place one seed in each nutrient pot, cover with a layer of fine soil, and then add a layer of plastic film to promote seed germination.
7. Seedbed management
The temperature of the seedbed should be maintained at around 30°C. After the seedlings have grown heart leaves, the temperature can be slightly increased. In the early stage, keep the seedbed warm by covering it with insulation materials at night. When a cold wave comes, manually insulate the seedlings.
8. Planting density
The planting density should be determined by the variety, generally ranging from 400 to 700 seedlings per 667㎡.
II. Management Methods
1. Site selection and fertilization
Soil with deep layers, loose and breathable texture, and good drainage is more suitable for cultivating watermelons, with sandy soil being preferable. Organic fertilizers and cake fertilizers can be added as base fertilizers, along with a small amount of inorganic fertilizers. The nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium elements in the fertilizer cannot be missing.
2. Timely planting
When the seedlings have grown 2 to 3 true leaves, they can be planted. Different varieties have different maturation times, so the planting time also varies. If it is a wide ridge, plant two rows; if it is a narrow ridge, plant one row. Cover with 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, in addition to the main vine, two side vines with good growth should be selected. When the vines reach 50 cm, press the vines with soil, combining pruning and pressing at intervals of 3 to 4 nodes, and each vine should be pressed 2 to 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 watermelons. When pollination is hindered by low temperature and rainy weather, assist with artificial pollination. After the fruit reaches a certain size, turn the watermelons in one direction, turning one-third of the watermelon each time.
5. Water and fertilizer management
When the plant grows to the size of an egg, it indicates that it is about to enter the expansion period. At this time, apply the expansion fertilizer to the watermelon according to its growth, usually using 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, drain the accumulated water in the melon field promptly.
6. Timely harvesting
Harvesting is best done when the temperature conditions are more suitable in the morning. If the distance for marketing and transportation is far and takes a long time, the watermelon can be harvested when it is 80% ripe. If it is sold nearby, it can be harvested at 90% ripeness.
7. Disease and pest control
Mainly control wilt disease, anthracnose, viral disease, and pests such as red spiders, yellow melon bugs, and melon maggots. Promptly remove affected branches, vines, and seedlings, and use corresponding agents to treat the watermelons.
This article shares how to plant and manage watermelons and the specific introduction of watermelon planting methods and techniques, hoping to bring some knowledge of flowers to green plant enthusiasts.