Winter melon planting time and method

Winter melon can be divided into two types according to the volume of the fruit: large and small. And according to the waxy powder on the peel, it can be divided into different varieties such as pink-skin winter melon and green-skin winter melon. The sowing time of winter melon varies to a certain extent due to local climatic conditions. Generally speaking, as long as the temperature is stable above 20℃, it is suitable for growing winter melon. However, in most cases, winter melon is sown in spring or autumn. Let’s learn in detail about the time and method of planting winter melon .

1. Planting time

As a crop that prefers a warm environment, winter melon has excellent heat resistance. Therefore, when planting winter melon, it is recommended to choose a later time to avoid the low temperature during early sowing affecting seed germination. The ideal temperature range for winter melon seeds to germinate is 28 to 30 degrees Celsius. In northern regions, the best time for direct sowing is usually from May to June, while in the warmer southern regions, the sowing time can be slightly earlier, around April to May. If the method of raising seedlings first and then transplanting is adopted, the temperature of the seedling raising environment can be appropriately increased during the seedling raising stage. When planting winter melon seedlings , it is suitable as long as the temperature remains between 25 and 30 degrees Celsius.

2. Variety selection

Given the high demand for winter melon in the market and its cold- and heat-resistant characteristics, winter melon can be grown in almost every region of the country. At present, there are many varieties of winter melon , as many as hundreds. When choosing winter melon varieties, farmers should consider factors such as local climate, soil characteristics, and market demand, and select those varieties that are resistant to pests and diseases and have high yields. Open-air cultivation usually tends to choose large fruit varieties, such as Longquan winter melon, gray-skin winter melon, etc.; while in greenhouse cultivation, small fruit varieties are mostly chosen, such as Beijing Yichuanling, Nanjing Early Winter Melon, etc.

3. Seed treatment

The outer shell of winter melon seeds is relatively thick, so water cannot easily penetrate when sown directly, which affects germination. In order to increase the germination rate and speed, wax gourd seeds should be processed before sowing. First, place the seeds in 55 degrees Celsius warm water and stir them. When the water temperature drops to 30 degrees Celsius, continue to soak them for 4 to 6 hours to kill the germs on the surface of the seeds. After that, take out the seeds, put them in wet gauze, and germinate them in an environment of 25 to 30 degrees Celsius. During the germination period, rinse with clean water twice a day. Usually, you can sow after 2 to 3 days.

4. Sowing method

The sowing methods of winter melon are divided into direct sowing and transplanting after seedling raising. Direct sowing is to sow the seeds that have been soaked and germinated directly into the soil, keep the plant spacing at 30 to 40 cm, the row spacing at 1 meter, and sow 2 to 3 seeds in each hole. Cover with a thin layer of soil after sowing. After germination, select and keep the healthy seedlings according to their condition. Transplanting after seedling raising is suitable for open-air or greenhouse planting in early spring. Sow the seeds evenly on the seedling bed and keep the soil moist. When the seedlings have 3 to 4 true leaves, they can be transplanted to the field and the survival rate should be checked within 3 to 4 days after transplanting.

5. Preparation before planting

Winter melon has a long growth cycle, high yield and great demand for nutrients. In addition to top dressing during the growth period, sufficient base fertilizer should be applied before planting. The base fertilizer can be fully decomposed farmyard manure or compound fertilizer , with 4,000 to 5,000 kilograms applied per mu. After applying base fertilizer, deep till the soil, mix the fertilizer, and then plant or transplant.

6. Growth management

Winter melon is a vine crop. When the seedlings grow to 20 to 30 cm, they need to be trellised and tied up in time to prevent the vines from getting entangled and affecting their growth. Usually a "human" shaped frame is built to guide the vines to climb and fixed with thin ropes. Winter melon has a strong branching ability, so it is necessary to prune it in time during the growth process to control the growth of sub-vines and grandson vines to ensure the nutrient supply of the main vine. When planting outdoors, keep 1 to 2 secondary vines for each plant; when planting in a greenhouse, only keep the main vine.

7. Water and fertilizer management

In addition to the base fertilizer before planting, top dressing is also required during the growth period of winter melon according to the growth conditions. Top dressing is divided into seedling-promoting fertilizer, vine-promoting fertilizer and fruit-enlarging fertilizer. Seedling-promoting fertilizer is applied after transplanting, mainly nitrogen fertilizer; vine-promoting fertilizer is applied before flowering and fruit setting, mainly compound fertilizer, 10 to 15 kilograms per mu; fruit-swelling fertilizer is applied after fruit setting, mainly compound fertilizer, 15 to 20 kilograms per mu, once every 15 to 20 days.

The above is an introduction to the time and key points of winter melon planting. As a vegetable with a large market demand, the planting benefits of winter melon are quite good.