Zucchini Planting Technology and Management Methods

Zucchini , also known as horned melon or vegetable melon, is a herbaceous plant belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family. It has won the favor of many consumers with its unique flavor and nutritional value and has become a common vegetable on the table. Nowadays, many people in rural areas grow zucchini. Let’s learn about the planting techniques and management methods of zucchini .

1. Sowing time

Zucchini, a herbaceous plant belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family, is usually cultivated for seedlings in early spring because of its cold resistance and early maturity under short-day conditions. The entire growth cycle of dwarf varieties is about 100 to 140 days, including a seedling stage of about 20 days, 30 to 35 days from planting to the beginning of harvest, and a harvest period of 40 to 60 days. Transplanting is usually carried out after the late frost, and the sowing period can be calculated based on the seedling age and transplanting time. If simple protective facilities are used or seeds are treated with variable temperature, the sowing period can be advanced. Zucchini seeds begin to germinate above 13 degrees Celsius. When sowing directly in the field, make sure that the seeds can emerge after the last frost. If the seeds are simply covered or treated with temperature changes after sowing, the sowing time can also be advanced.

2. Sowing Method

In terms of sowing and seedling management, the sowing method of zucchini is similar to that of cucumber, with a seed rate of 400 to 500 grams per acre. According to its growth and development characteristics, seedling management has the following characteristics: the cotyledons and true leaves of zucchini seedlings are larger than those of cucumbers, and the sowing spacing should be 10 to 12 cm. Since zucchini seeds tend to emerge from the soil with their caps on, the seeds should be placed flat when sowing, and covered with a layer of fine moist soil when the young shoots are above the soil to keep them moist and help remove the caps.

The seedlings grow rapidly. To prevent the stems from growing too long, the temperature and humidity should be strictly controlled. After they are unearthed, they should be gradually ventilated, keeping the temperature at 20 to 25 degrees Celsius during the day and about 10 degrees Celsius at night. The minimum temperature can be kept at 6 to 8 degrees Celsius. The seedlings grow rapidly, and the soil should be loosened frequently in the early stage to promote the development of the root system. This is an important measure to cultivate strong seedlings.

3. Planting and field management

The land should be prepared and sufficient basal fertilizer should be applied before planting. The row and plant spacing for dwarf zucchini is 60 to 73 cm, while the row spacing for climbing varieties is 1.5 to 2 meters and the plant spacing is 0.5 meter. In the early stage of transplanting or direct planting seedlings, the main method is to cultivate and squat the seedlings to increase the ground temperature and promote the development of the root system. As the melon vines grow, continue to loosen the soil and pay attention to cultivating the soil in combination with irrigation. When the plant has 5 to 6 leaves, water lightly and apply additional fertilizer according to the base fertilizer situation. When the first melon grows to 6 to 10 cm, start watering and applying fertilizer.

After the root melon is harvested, in order to meet the needs of continuous fruiting, water it every 3 to 5 days to keep the soil moist. During this period, you can apply fertilizer 2 to 3 times, paying attention to the coordinated use of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. When the main vine of creeping zucchini extends to about 1 meter, the vines should be pressed to promote the growth of adventitious roots, expand the absorption area, and prevent wind damage. It can be pressed 3 to 4 times. The first melon should be harvested in time to prevent it from falling and affecting the yield.

4. Application of Plant Growth Regulators

Treatment with 2,4-D: Due to the low temperature in early spring, insect activity is limited, affecting pollination, or pollen development is poor. Artificial assisted pollination or application of auxins can be used. Usually 25 to 50 ppm of 2,4-D is applied to the pedicel or stigma to preserve flowers and fruits and promote early maturity by 3 to 4 days.

Ethephon can promote early maturity and high yield: When zucchini is in the three-leaf stage, spray it with 1/1,500 to 1/1,000 concentration of ethephon, and then spray again every 10 to 15 days, for a total of three times. The treated seedlings can produce flowers continuously and mature 7 to 10 days earlier, with early yields increased by 15 to 50%.

5. Harvest and Seed Collection

For zucchini grown early in spring, the first melon should be harvested as early as possible. This not only prevents the vines from falling, but also helps the plant growth and increases the later yield. Usually, the melons can be harvested 7 to 10 days after flowering when they weigh 0.5 to 1 jin. When collecting seeds, choose the second melon at the base that is growing normally and has the characteristics of the variety. Leave one seed melon on each plant, pick it when it is fully mature, take out the seeds, dry them and store them.

The above is the planting technology and cultivation method of zucchini. You can refer to and learn according to the actual situation and develop the most suitable plan for yourself.