Method of Growing Watermelons on Balconies
In the寸土寸金 (inch of land, inch of gold) urban life, growing watermelons on balconies is becoming a new trend in urban farming. With scientific management, even a 3-square-meter space can yield sweet fruits. This article will guide you step by step on how to create a family mini melon garden with illustrations and text.
Three Basic Preparations for Balcony Watermelon Planting
Scientific Proportion of Container Soil
It is recommended to use a root control pot with a diameter of more than 40cm, with a 5cm layer of ceramsite at the bottom for drainage. The matrix should be mixed in the ratio of garden soil: coconut bran: decomposed sheep manure = 5:3:2, and add 50g of slow-release fertilizer per cubic meter. This proportion not only retains water and allows breathability but also continuously provides nutrients.
Variety Selection Determines Success or Failure
Recommended early-maturing varieties: Jingxin No. 1 (red flesh), Xiaolan (yellow flesh), and Hongxiaoyu (mini type). These varieties have short internodes (15-20cm) and a high fruit-setting rate (up to 85%), making them especially suitable for container planting. Avoid large fruit varieties, as their root systems exceed 2㎡ and are difficult to adapt to balcony environments.
Four Steps of Seedling Raising Core Technology
Seed Activation Treatment
Soak seeds in 55℃ warm water for 15 minutes, then cool naturally and continue to soak for 4 hours. Wrap in damp gauze and place in a 28℃ incubator to germinate. Plant when the radicle is 1-2mm long.
Precise Sowing Techniques
Use the plug seedling raising method: place coconut bran blocks in a 72-hole plug tray, sow 1 germinated seed per hole, and cover with 0.5cm of vermiculite. Maintain a substrate humidity of 60%, with a daytime temperature of 28-30℃/nighttime temperature of 18-20℃, and seedlings will emerge in about 5 days.
Full Cycle Maintenance Management Points
Stereoscopic Cultivation System
When the main vine reaches 30cm long, build an A-frame trellis and use the single vine pruning method. Retain the 2nd-3rd female flowers on the main vine, controlling 1-2 fruits per plant. Be especially careful to adjust the melon fetus to a hanging state to avoid contact with the guardrail.
Precise Water and Fertilizer Control
Water with a 1‰ balanced water-soluble fertilizer every week during the vine stretching period, then switch to a 3‰ high potassium formula after fruit setting. Use a drip irrigation system to maintain a substrate moisture content of 60-70%, and reduce water 10 days before maturity to enhance sweetness.
Artificial Pollination Tips
Remove petals from male flowers that open in the morning (6-9 am) and evenly apply pollen to the stigma of the female flowers. The ovary will clearly expand within 24 hours after successful pollination, and the fruit stem will naturally fall off 72 hours later if pollination is unsuccessful.
After 40-50 days of careful cultivation, harvest when the fruit navel is sunken, tendrils are withered, and tapping emits a dull sound. It is recommended to keep a 3cm fruit stem to extend the shelf life. A healthy potted watermelon plant can produce 2-3 high-quality fruits of 1.5kg each, allowing you to experience the complete joy of farming from sowing to harvest.