Watermelon planting management technology and methods

In the hot summer, tasting a piece of sweet and juicy watermelon is undoubtedly an ultimate enjoyment. Although watermelon can be found almost all year round, summer is undoubtedly the best season to enjoy it and relish it. The reason why watermelon is so popular is not only because it is sweet and delicious, but also because it has the effect of clearing away heat, relieving summer heat, and promoting salivation and quenching thirst. Watermelon has a well-developed root system. The main root can penetrate the soil about 1 meter. There are usually 4 to 6 lateral roots, and the main root group is concentrated 10 to 33 centimeters below the soil surface. This root structure gives watermelon a strong ability to absorb water and nutrients. Let’s learn about watermelon planting and management techniques and methods.

1. Site selection

Choose light loam or medium loam with appropriate slope, convenient drainage and irrigation, deep soil layer and rich in organic matter. Watermelon should not be planted continuously. You should choose land where melon crops have not been planted for more than 3 years in paddy fields or more than 5 years in dry land.

2. Seed preparation

Before sowing, dry the seeds for 1 to 2 days to enhance physiological activity. After that, soak the seeds in warm water at about 55°C for 5 to 6 hours, pour out the water, clean the seed coat with 5% lime water , gently rub until it is no longer greasy, rinse with clean water and air dry, and prepare for germination.

3. Sowing method

Place the germinated seeds flat in a nutrient cup with the bud end facing downward, cover with 1 cm thick nutrient soil, and spray with diluted thiophanate-methyl solution or other fungicide . Build a small arch shed, cover it with film, and maintain the temperature in the shed between 22 and 28 degrees Celsius. After the first true leaf grows, gradually lower the temperature to adapt to the external environment.

4. Field management

4.1 Fertilizer and water management

Add fertilizer and water appropriately before flowering to promote vegetative growth. Pay attention to reasonable fertilization. Seedling-raising fertilizer should be applied 5 to 7 days after transplanting, vine-stretching fertilizer should be applied about 20 days after seedling raising, and melon-swelling fertilizer should be applied when the young fruit is the size of an egg.

4.2 Intertillage and weeding

When the melon vines grow to 40 to 50 cm, carry out inter-row cultivation and weeding to prevent the vines from growing too long, causing inconvenience in operation and damaging the vines and leaves.

4.3 Pruning and vine trimming

Use double or triple vine pruning to distribute the stems and vines reasonably to enhance photosynthesis and disease resistance. Press down the vines to fix the melon vines and control their growth.

4.4 Artificial pollination

To ensure the quality of the fruit, artificial pollination is carried out, and the third female flower on the main vine or the second female flower on the side vine is selected.

4.5 Promote fruit setting

Choose the second and third female flowers on the main vine to produce fruits, and avoid female flowers at low nodes or far away from the taproot.

4.6 Fruit management

During multi-vine pruning or uncontrolled cultivation, young fruits with low nodes or poor shapes should be removed in a timely manner to ensure the development of fruits at ideal nodes.

5. Pest and disease control

For common diseases and pests of watermelon, choose appropriate pesticides for prevention and control. For example, grafting can be used to prevent wilt disease, and corresponding pesticides can be used for spraying for vine blight and anthracnose.

6. Picking in time

Determine maturity based on variety characteristics and days after pollination, and harvest at the appropriate time. A ripe watermelon has clear patterns on the surface, a glossy surface, and a contracted navel and stem, and it makes a dull sound when tapped.

The above is an introduction to the key points of watermelon planting and management techniques. Through careful field management and timely picking, the quality and taste of the watermelon can be ensured.