How to manage winter melon planting to achieve high yield?

As a vegetable with a long history, winter melon has rich varieties and types. It has now become one of the main vegetables supplied to the market all year round. In the past, winter melon was mainly grown and eaten in autumn and winter, playing a key role in alleviating the supply of vegetables during the off-season. It was usually grown on a small scale in front of or behind houses or in wasteland. However, with the growth of market demand, winter melon cultivation has developed into a large-scale and efficient one, with many professional growers and high-yield demonstrations emerging. In order to improve the planting efficiency of winter melon, let’s learn how to manage winter melon planting to achieve high yield.

1. Sowing time

Winter melon is suitable for sowing in spring and autumn. Spring sowing is recommended when the temperature is stable above 20°C, around March; autumn sowing is recommended in September, when the temperature drops below 26-28°C. Due to differences in climate from place to place, it is more accurate to determine the sowing time based on specific climate conditions rather than fixed months. The optimal temperature range for wax gourd seeds to germinate is 22-28°C. The minimum should not be lower than 20°C and the maximum should not exceed 30°C, so as not to affect germination.

2. Variety selection

Winter melon varieties can be classified according to the color of the rind (green or pink ) and size (large, medium, or small). When choosing a variety, consider season, time to market, planting method, and market demand. For example, large mid- to late-maturing varieties are recommended for open-field cultivation, while small mid- to early-maturing varieties are suitable for greenhouse cultivation.

3. Seed treatment

Winter melon seeds have a thick outer skin and direct sowing may result in slow germination. It is recommended to soak the seeds in warm water to accelerate water absorption and soften the seed shell. The specific steps include: sterilize with 52-55°C hot water for 15 minutes. Then soak in warm water at 28-30°C for 18-24 hours. When germinating, place the seeds in an environment of 30-32°C until most of the seeds turn white.

4. Soil type

Winter melon is suitable for planting in loose, thick, deep soil with high organic matter content. The best pH value is 6-6.5, and light sandy loam is preferred. Avoid repeated cropping and choose land where melon crops have not been planted within 2 years.

5. Land preparation and fertilization

Before sowing, deep plow the soil about 30 cm and dry it in the sun. In combination with fertilization, apply 200-400 kg of organic fertilizer or 3000-4000 kg of decomposed farmyard manure and 40-50 kg of superphosphate per mu. Make sure the fertilizer is evenly mixed with the soil and then fold it into the soil layer 10-15 cm below.

6. Sowing and raising seedlings

Water thoroughly before sowing, and sow 3 seeds in each hole at a depth of 2-3 cm. Cover with 1.5 cm of thin soil and, if necessary, cover with mulch to keep warm and moist. Keep the soil moist until seedlings emerge, and then keep it semi-dry and semi-wet.

7. Transplanting and planting

Thin out or transplant the winter melon at the right time according to its growth conditions. When transplanting, ensure that the soil temperature is not lower than 12-15°C and spray fungicide before transplanting. Adjust the planting density according to the size of the melon, and be careful not to plant too densely or too sparsely.

8. Water and fertilizer management

Winter melon requires a lot of water and fertilizer, and needs to be top-dressed 3-4 times during the growing period, with the focus on the seedling stage, the early melon stage and the melon swelling stage. Top dressing is mainly nitrogen fertilizer, balanced fertilizer and high potassium fertilizer. Spray potassium dihydrogen phosphate and other nutrients on the leaves to improve the flowering and fruit setting rate and quality.

9. Plant arrangement

It includes guiding vines onto shelves, thinning vines, pressing vines, picking flowers, pinching hearts, leaving melons and picking leaves, etc., to promote healthy growth and increase yield.

10. Harvest

The timing of harvesting depends on the variety and maturity of the winter melon. Large varieties are harvested when the fruit stops growing and white powder appears on the fruit surface, and small varieties can be harvested about 40 days after flowering. It can also be harvested when the leaves turn yellow, indicating that the winter melon is ripe.

The above provides a comprehensive technical reference for winter melon planting. In the actual planting process, these aspects need to be considered and done well.