How to Plant and Manage Watermelons
A comprehensive introduction to the planting and management of watermelons, including planting methods and precautions for green plant flower cultivation. Let's dive into the details as introduced by the editor.
“A single bite removes the fire and smoke, and as it enters the teeth, it sounds like ice and snow.” This is a famous poem by Wen Tianxiang 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 do watermelons taste sweet and contain plenty of water, but they also have many beneficial components for the human body. Watermelons are also a fruit with high economic value. Let's take a look together at how to plant them and some management issues.
One, Watermelon Planting Techniques
1. Seed disinfection
Seed disinfection should be performed before sowing. Generally, seeds are soaked in a 50% carbendazim 500x solution for one hour. If you want to save time, you can use a 2% to 4% bleach solution for disinfection, reducing the time to half an hour. Always 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, the seeds should be soaked for 8 hours.
3. Germination
The temperature for germination is required to be between 29℃ and 30℃. Common germination methods include constant temperature box germination, fire-pit germination, and body germination. Considering the characteristics of watermelon seeds and convenience, it is recommended to use fire-pit germination. The specific operation involves wrapping the seeds in a damp cloth, rolling the damp cloth well into a plastic bag, and placing it under the bedding on the fire-pit for germination. Adjust the position of the seeds in real-time according to the temperature. Alternatively, seeds can be placed in a pot or next to a pot to germinate based on the principle of fire-pit germination.
4. Seedling raising
Watermelon planting is divided into direct sowing and seedling transplanting. The seedling transplanting method can promote healthier seed growth. During seedling transplanting, the use of nutrient pots is necessary to avoid damaging the plant roots. The soil should be of medium viscosity, and fertilizers can include matured cake fertilizer or organic manure. The ratio of soil to fertilizer should be 7:3, and an appropriate amount of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers and fungicides should be added.
5. Timely sowing
Planting can begin when the ground temperature is maintained at above 15℃, but the sowing time can also be chosen based on specific conditions and planting methods.
6. Precautions during sowing
(1) The sowing depth should be appropriate. Decide the depth based on the size of the seeds, with larger seeds deeper and smaller seeds shallower, with a soil cover thickness of about 1.5cm being ideal.
(2) Watermelon seeds are flat and melon-shaped, so when sowing, place them flat to reduce the occurrence of cap emergence 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 with the operation.
(4) Maintain a higher level of moisture at the bottom of the bed soil, water after sowing, and place one seed in each nutrient pot, cover with a layer of fine soil, and then add a layer of plastic film to aid seed germination.
7. Seedbed management
The temperature of the seedbed should be maintained at around 30℃, and the temperature can be slightly increased after the seedlings have grown their first true leaves. Insulate the seedbed in the early stages by covering it with insulating materials at night, and also manually insulate the seedlings when cold air masses arrive.
8. Planting density
The planting density is determined by the variety, generally ranging from 400 to 700 seedlings per 667㎡.
Two, Management Methods
1. Site selection and fertilization
Soil that is deep, loose, and well-draining is suitable for cultivating watermelons, with sandy soil being ideal. Organic fertilizers and cake fertilizers can be used as base fertilizers, and a small amount of inorganic fertilizers can also be added. Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium elements in the fertilizer should not be lacking.
2. Timely transplantation
Seedlings with 2 to 3 true leaves can be transplanted. Different varieties have different transplanting times based on their maturation period. For wide ridges, two rows are transplanted, and for narrow ridges, one row is transplanted. Cover the film during transplantation.
3. Pruning and pressing vines
Three-vine pruning is the most common method. When the main vine has grown 8 to 9 leaves, two side vines with good growth should be selected in addition to the main vine. When the vines reach 50cm, press the vines with soil, combining pruning with pressing, and repeat the operation every 3 to 4 internodes, pressing each vine 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 fruit setting. When pollination is hindered by low temperature and rainy weather, artificial pollination should be performed. After the fruit has reached a certain size, it should be turned over, taking care to turn it in one direction, and each time, turn 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 fertilizers to the watermelon based on its growth, usually 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 watermelon can be harvested when it is 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 beetles, and melon borers. Promptly remove affected branches, vines, and seedlings, and use corresponding agents to treat the watermelons.
The above introduction provides a comprehensive overview of how to plant and manage watermelons, including planting methods and precautions, hoping to bring some knowledge about green plants to enthusiasts.