When should winter melon be planted in autumn?

Winter melon is very suitable for sowing in autumn, which can not only avoid the high temperature season and reduce the occurrence of diseases and pests, but also effectively extend the supply period of winter melon and meet the diversified market needs. So when should winter melon be planted in autumn? Let’s learn more about it below.

When should winter melon be planted in autumn?

The suitable temperature range for germination of wax gourd seeds is 22-28℃, and the most ideal sowing temperature is about 25℃. When sowing, ensure that the temperature is not lower than 20℃ and avoid exceeding 30℃. High or low temperatures may affect the normal germination of winter melon seeds. Therefore, it is more appropriate to choose around September as the time for autumn sowing of winter melon.

What are the key points of autumn sowing of winter melon?

1. Plot selection

Choose sandy loam or clay loam with deep soil, good drainage and rich organic matter content, avoid repeated planting, and it is advisable to choose land that has not been planted with melon crops in the previous two years.

2. Seed treatment

First soak the seeds at a temperature of about 20 degrees to activate the pathogens, then put them in 55-degree warm water, stirring while pouring, and when the temperature drops below 30 degrees, soak them for 4-6 hours and then take them out. After soaking, wrap the seeds with wet gauze and place them at 25-30 degrees to germinate.

3. Reasonable density planting

Winter melon is a large vine that needs plenty of space to grow. Generally speaking, the row spacing should be set at 1.5 meters, the plant spacing should be about 1 meter, and it is appropriate to plant 400 to 500 plants per acre to ensure that the plants can fully receive light and promote fruit development.

4. Field management

After emergence, pay attention to water management, keep the soil moist, and carry out thinning and restocking in time; during the growth period of winter melon, sufficient water and fertilizer supply is needed, and pay attention to topdressing in batches, especially after fruit setting, the amount of fertilizer should be increased; strengthen plant adjustment, including guiding vines, thinning vines, pressing vines, pinching and leaving melons, etc., to promote plant ventilation and light transmission.

5. Harvest at the right time

The sign of maturity is that the skin hardens and the color turns light green or white, and it should be harvested in time. When harvesting, the fruits are usually cut with scissors to avoid damaging the vines. The fruits should also be handled with care and not damaged to facilitate storage.

Generally speaking, the most suitable time for autumn sowing of winter melon is around September. but. The climatic conditions in different regions are different, and the specific sowing time needs to be determined based on the local climatic conditions.