Why is a stone placed on top of the watermelon? Why do people put a stone on the watermelon?

Why Put a Stone on the Watermelon

A little knowledge to share with you why a stone is placed on top of watermelon, related introduction of green plants and flowers, the following is a detailed introduction.

Why Put a Stone on the Watermelon

After placing the stone, first, the watermelon can grow into an oval shape, especially watermelons with this characteristic need to be treated this way. Second, based on the fast heat absorption, it will not let the upper part of the west facing side get sunburned and turn yellow. As we all know, the part of the watermelon without patterns is the place where it sits, so putting a stone on top of it prevents sunburn.

Why Do Watermelon Farmers Put a Stone on Top of Watermelons When Growing Them

In the process of growing watermelons, farmers will also put a stone on top of the watermelon when it is about to mature. Is it also to prevent the watermelon from running away? What is the purpose of placing this stone?

There are many opinions on this issue. Some say it is to prevent the watermelon from running away. Some say placing a stone is to attract attention when filming videos. Others say it can promote the growth of watermelon and prevent bird damage.

With these questions, I asked an old farmer who grows watermelons. He told me that putting a stone on top of a watermelon is a small gesture, but it has 5 functions:

1. Marking function

This was done when I was young and my family grew watermelons. Generally, larger watermelons mature earlier but are harvested later, usually in the middle and late stages. And this watermelon is to be saved for birthdays.

My family usually grows about 1 mu of watermelons, and there are about 20 large ones. A stone is placed on these 20 or so watermelons.

When harvesting mature watermelons, don't pick these ones with stones, leave them for later harvest.

2. Heat absorption and sweetness enhancement

The best time to pick watermelons is early in the morning, followed by the afternoon to evening, because the temperature is lowest, especially on sunny days. Placing a stone on top can act as a heat absorbent.

In the hot summer, the heat absorption rate and amount of stones are faster and greater than that of watermelons, which can artificially create some heat absorption temperature differences, increase the day-night temperature difference, and make the watermelon sweeter.

Especially for watermelons grown in sandy soil, this effect is more obvious.

3. Promoting watermelon maturity and counting function

The principle is the same as point 2. Due to the fast and large heat absorption, it creates a large day-night temperature difference, which can ensure the faster maturity of watermelons on the basis of sweetness enhancement. This effect is more obvious in large planting areas.

In our Northwest Ningxia, (X-J) many fruit farmers do this to accurately calculate the approximate maturity time of the watermelon, then harvest it. Therefore, watermelons with stones are picked and sold first, followed by others in sequence.

4. Frightening birds from pecking

Nowadays, there are more and more birds like magpies that peck watermelons in rural areas. Frankly, it's really troublesome. They not only peck watermelons but also apples, pears, and even crops like grains.

So from the perspective of watermelons, sticking a scarecrow in the watermelon field and then placing a stone on the watermelon will create an illusion for the magpies, frightening them not to peck the watermelons and reducing unnecessary economic losses.

5. Improving the appearance of watermelons

After placing the stone, the watermelon can grow into an oval shape, especially watermelons with this characteristic need to do this more.

Second, based on the fast heat absorption, it will not let the upward-facing side of the west-facing part get sunburned. As we all know, the part of the watermelon without patterns is where it sits.

So, placing a stone on top prevents the skin from getting sunburned. But for this point, it is obviously better to cover it with soil directly.

The above sharing is all about why a stone is placed on top of watermelons. Have green plant enthusiasts understood it?