How to Cultivate Mini Melons
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Mini melons, also known as sweet melons, are one of the top ten fruits in the world. They are rich in fat, protein, carbohydrates, malic acid, crude fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Mini melons can be eaten raw, quench thirst and clear dryness, and eliminate bad breath, but the melon base is toxic and should not be eaten. Mini melons are mainly distributed in Central Asia, West Asia, Western Europe, North America, and other countries. Mini melons contain cucurbitacin B, which can increase the glycogen reserves in the liver and are widely loved by everyone.
Techniques and Management for Planting Mini Melons:
1. Seed Selection
There are many varieties of mini melons, and varieties can be selected based on market demand and environmental and soil requirements. For example, suitable varieties for Yunnan include American zucchini, Crisp Jade No. 1, and Black Beauty.
2. Seed Soaking
Place the purchased seeds in 50°C water and soak for five minutes, stirring constantly. Stop stirring when the water temperature drops, and then soak for 4 hours. After that, disinfect the seeds by soaking them in potassium permanganate for 20 minutes, rinse with clean water, and place them in a cool place to drain. Wrap them in a damp towel to promote germination, maintaining a temperature of 28°C.
3. Soil
Choose a sandy soil with a deep and fertile layer and good breathability. Mini melons are drought-resistant and dislike waterlogging, so prepare drainage equipment in advance. Water the soil before seedling, keep the soil moist, and apply base fertilizer before sowing, with organic fertilizer as the main component.
4. Sowing Time
Mini melons are warm-loving, heat-tolerant, and cold-sensitive, with a temperature as high as 15°C. Sowing can be done in spring, from February to March. When the temperature is below 15°C, mini melons will stop growing.
5. Temperature Control
After sowing, cover with a thin layer of soil about 1 cm thick to keep warm. Seedlings can emerge in about 20 days, maintaining a temperature of 15°C to 30°C. When encountering cold weather, promptly take measures to keep warm to avoid frost damage.
6. Fertilization Management
Apply 2-3 topdressings when planting mini melons. During the planting period, fertilize according to the growth of the seedlings to prevent excessive growth of the mini melon seedlings. If the seedlings grow too vigorously during rainy days, you can spray some medicine. Stop fertilizing when the mini melons bloom and set fruit.
7. Disease Prevention
Observe the condition of the mini melons promptly. During the seedling stage, mini melons are prone to root rot, powdery mildew, vine wilt, and blight. If such diseases occur, promptly and scientifically spray pesticides for prevention.
8. Precautions
When leaves with lesions and rot appear, remove them promptly. During the ripening period of mini melons, control the water supply, as excessive watering can affect the quality of the melons. Do not leave water droplets on the top of the greenhouse, and dry them promptly. Mini melons can mature in about one month, and picking them early can affect their taste, sweetness, and quality.
9. Seedling Management
Mini melons grow very fast during the seedling stage and can be raised in nutrient bags or seedlings. Gradually ventilate the seedlings, strictly control water and temperature, and water moderately to avoid root rot.
10. Field Management
Transplant seedlings or direct seeding. In the early stages, cultivate diligently to promote root development. Irrigation, cultivation, fertilization, and tillage should be synchronized, with enhanced management and control of pests and diseases. When the mini melon leaves grow to 6-7, fertilize promptly to promote root and vine development. Water twice a week.
11. Top Removal and Pinching
Mini melons mainly rely on daughter vines and granddaughter vines for fruiting. Timely removal of the top is crucial in mini melon planting. When the main vine has 4-5 leaves, remove the top and pinch.
The above introduces the complete information on how to cultivate mini melons and the techniques and management of planting mini melons for everyone to learn and understand!