Planting technology and management of small watermelon

Small watermelon is also called pocket watermelon or mini watermelon. It has beautiful shape, small size, tender flesh and is very popular. Here I will introduce to you the planting techniques and management of small watermelons.

1. Land preparation and fertilization

Before planting small watermelons, prepare the land and apply fertilizers, applying 1000-1500kg of organic decomposed fertilizer and 50kg of ammonia-phosphorus-potassium compound fertilizer per 667㎡.

2. Planting

When the seedlings have 3-4 leaves, they can be transplanted when the ground temperature is stable at above 15℃ and the air temperature is above 12℃. For creeping cultivation, 700~800 plants are planted per 667㎡ for two-vine pruning, and 500~600 plants are planted for three-vine pruning; for vertical frame cultivation, 1100~1300 plants are planted for two-vine pruning.

3. Plant adjustment

When small watermelons grow 5-6 true leaves, pinch off the top with 5 leaves left to promote the germination of vines. When the vines grow to 40-50 cm, select 2-3 strong and neat vines and remove the rest. For creeping plants, pruning should ensure that the sub-vines and grandchild vines are evenly distributed in the field to avoid intertwining and shading each other. Because small watermelons are small in size and easy to bear fruit, especially when cultivated with multiple vines, they can bear fruit one after another and produce more fruits. Therefore, appropriate fruit thinning is required during field management to improve the commercial grade of the fruit.

4. Artificial pollination

When cultivating small watermelons in facilities, there is little wind and few insects. In order to increase the fruit set rate, artificial assisted pollination should be carried out. Artificial pollination was carried out between 9 and 11 am.

5. Fertilizer and water management

For small watermelon cultivation, on the basis of applying sufficient base fertilizer and watering, in principle no fertilizer or watering is required before the first batch of watermelons are harvested. When most of the first crop of melons have been harvested and the second crop of melons begins to expand, topdressing should be carried out once. Apply 50 kg of triple compound fertilizer per 667 m2, make holes 5 to 8 cm outside the roots, cover with soil and water.

6. Harvest

Small watermelons generally mature 35-40 days after flowering. The stalks and stems of mature fruits shrink and sink inward, the hairs on the stalks fall off, and the tendrils at the fruit nodes shrivel up, and they can be harvested at this time. When harvesting, leave 6-8cm long fruit stalks, wrap them with foam nets, and sell them in boxes.

That’s it