Planting methods and management methods of hanging melon

The hanging melon, also known as Trichosanthes kirilowii and Trichosanthes kirilowii, has high medicinal value, nutritional value and good taste of the hanging melon seeds. In recent years, it has been very profitable to plant and has good prospects. It has a certain market and has become a feature crop for "industrial poverty alleviation" in many regions. Let's talk about the planting methods and management methods of the hanging melon.

1. Selection of seeds and land

The seeds of melon seeds are taken from the tubers of melon. Therefore, the first step in seed selection is to choose melon tubers that are free of diseases and insect pests as seed plants. Generally, the tubers of the melon are harvested from October to December or from February to March of the following year, cleaned, dried in the sun until half dry, then cut open, the seeds taken out, dried and stored. The seeds should be full, uniform and undamaged, with about 5,000 to 6,000 seeds per kilogram.

When choosing a site, you should select a plot with fertile soil, deep soil layer, good drainage, sufficient sunlight and no waterlogging. It is best to choose a hillside or scattered land with miscellaneous edges, and avoid low-lying or waterlogged areas. The pH value of the soil for hanging melon is not high, but it should be between 6.0-7.0, preferably neutral or slightly acidic. The fertility requirements of hanging melon are relatively high. Therefore, the soil should be turned over and dried before planting, and decomposed compound fertilizer or organic fertilizer should be added and mixed evenly.

2. Planting Method

There are two methods for planting hanging melon: hole sowing and row sowing, depending on the size and shape of the plot. The hole sowing method is suitable for scattered miscellaneous land. Sow 2-3 seeds in each hole, with a hole distance of about 3 meters, a hole depth of 10-15 cm, and a covering soil thickness of 2-3 cm. Water thoroughly after sowing. The row sowing method is suitable for large plots of land. First, plant 40-60 plants per mu, with a row spacing of 6 meters and a plant spacing of 2 meters. Dig furrows to make ridges. The furrows are 10-15 cm deep and 20-30 cm wide. Then spread the seeds evenly in the furrows, cover with soil 2-3 cm thick, and water thoroughly after sowing. No matter which planting method is used, a layer of straw or plastic film should be covered after sowing to keep the soil moist and warm and promote seed germination. Generally, the seeds will germinate after 15-20 days. At this time, the covering should be removed in time to allow the seedlings to adapt to the external environment.

3. Column scaffolding

The hanging melon is a vine plant that needs support to climb and spread out. Therefore, when the seedlings grow to about 50-100 cm, a support should be set up for them. There are many forms of brackets, which can be bamboo racks, wire racks, cement column racks, etc., but they are required to be flat, firm, and ventilated. Generally, cement column frames are preferred, and the spacing between columns depends on the material. For bamboo frame stone frames, the spacing between columns should be 3-4 meters. For wire frame stone frames, the height is about 1.8 meters, and the spacing between columns should be 5-6 meters. Then tie the stems to the rack and allow them to grow to the sides or upwards along the rack, maintaining a certain amount of light and space to avoid being too dense or too messy.

4. Reasonable topdressing

The fertilization of hanging melon should be mainly soil and miscellaneous fertilizers, with appropriate application of three-effect compound fertilizers, and careful use of quick-acting nitrogen fertilizers. Each topdressing should not be excessive, otherwise it will easily cause excessive growth and result in reduced production. The time and method of topdressing are as follows:

1. 20-30 days after planting, when the seedlings grow 3-5 true leaves, apply the first topdressing fertilizer, mainly organic fertilizer or compound fertilizer, 1-1.5 kg per plant, and water after fertilizing.

2. After the columns are erected, that is, when the stems and vines grow to 2-3 meters, apply the second topdressing fertilizer, mainly phosphorus and potassium fertilizers, applying 0.5-1 kg per plant, and water after fertilizing.

3. During the flowering and fruiting period, that is, when the stems and vines grow to 4-5 meters, apply the third topdressing fertilizer, mainly compound fertilizer, 1-1.5 kg per plant, and water after fertilizing.

4. During the fruit expansion period, that is, when the fruit grows to 10-15 cm, apply the fourth topdressing fertilizer, mainly compound fertilizer, 1-1.5 kg per plant, and water after fertilizing.

In addition to applying solid fertilizers, foliar spraying should be carried out regularly to supplement the melon's need for trace elements, improve its disease resistance and stress resistance, and promote fruit quality. The fertilizer sprayed on the leaves can be organic liquid fertilizer, trace element fertilizer, biological bacteria agent, etc. It should be sprayed once every 10-15 days. The concentration should be 300-500 times liquid. The best time for spraying is in the morning and evening, avoiding high temperature periods.

5. Field Management

The field management of hanging melon mainly includes inter-row cultivation and weeding, controlling stem and vine growth, increasing fruit setting rate, and preventing and controlling diseases and insect pests, as follows:

1. Intertillage and weeding: The melon-growing land is fertile and weeds are easy to grow, so intertillage and weeding are indispensable regular work. Combined with intertillage and weeding, appropriate application of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers can enhance the melon's resistance to stress.

2. Control the growth of stems and vines: The stems and vines of hanging melons grow vigorously and have many branches. Appropriate measures such as topping, pinching, and thinning are needed to regulate the relationship between vegetative growth and reproductive growth and promote more fruiting. Generally, the main stem is topped when it grows to 2-3 meters, and the side branches are pinched when they grow to 1-1.5 meters. Excess axillary buds, side branches, and leggy branches should be removed in time, retaining 2-3 main branches, with 4-5 fruits on each main branch. The total number of fruits per plant is controlled at around 10-15.

3. Improve the fruit setting rate: The flowering period of hanging melon is relatively long, and it can bloom from May to October, but the fruit setting rate is not high, generally only 10-20%. In order to increase the fruit setting rate, the following measures can be taken: First, artificial pollination. Use a cotton swab or brush to apply the pollen of male flowers to the stigma of female flowers between 8-10 am and 4-6 pm every day to increase the chance of pollination. The second is to spray flower and fruit promoting agents such as ethephon or gibberellin, once every 10-15 days. The best time for spraying is in the morning and evening, avoiding high temperature periods, and the concentration should be 100-200 times liquid. The third is to appropriately reduce water, increase phosphorus and potassium fertilizers, control nitrogen fertilizers, promote fruit setting, and put the hanging melon in a moderate growth stress state.

4. Prevention and control of pests and diseases: The main pests and diseases of hanging melon are powdery mildew, anthracnose, aphids, red spiders, etc. The prevention and control methods are as follows: First, prevention is the priority. Seeds and soil should be disinfected before planting. After planting, weeding, thinning and ventilation should be carried out in time to keep the field clean and hygienic. Second, timely detection is necessary. Once pests and diseases are discovered, immediate measures must be taken to prevent their spread. The third is comprehensive prevention and control. According to the type and severity of pests and diseases, choose appropriate agents and methods, such as spraying sulfur, Bordeaux mixture, imidacloprid, avermectin, etc., spray once every 7-10 days, with a concentration of 500-1000 times. The best time for spraying is in the morning and evening, avoiding high temperature periods. Fourth, rotate prevention and control to prevent diseases and pests from developing drug resistance, avoid using the same pesticide, change the pesticide each time you spray, or mix two or more pesticides.

6. Harvesting and Processing

The harvesting period of hanging melon is generally from September to November. When the fruit is ripe, it changes from hard to soft, the skin changes from green to yellow, the seeds inside the fruit changes from white to black, and the thorns on the fruit changes from white to black. At this time, it can be harvested. When harvesting, be sure to avoid damaging the fruit and affecting its quality, and handle it with care. After harvesting, the fruits should be cleaned promptly, then cut open, the seeds taken out, dried until half dry, and stored in bags as seeds for the next year. The pulp is cut into thin slices, dried in the sun, and stored in bags as a traditional Chinese medicine . The stems, leaves and peels of the hanging melon can also be dried and stored as fertilizer or feed without waste.

That’s it