When and how to plant winter melon?

Winter melon likes a warm growing environment and is not very demanding on the soil, but it is more suitable to grow in fertile, loose and well-drained soil. Sandy loam and loam with deep soil layer and high organic matter content are suitable. The best soil pH is 6-6.5, and light sandy loam is the best soil type. So when and how to plant winter melon?

1. Planting time of winter melon

The sowing period for spring planting of winter melon is usually from December to March of the following year, while the sowing period for autumn planting is between June and July.

In Guangzhou, winter melon cultivation is divided into two seasons: spring and autumn, with spring planting being the main season, and the sowing period is generally from January to February. With appropriate anti-cold measures, early sowing is more beneficial than late sowing, especially sowing in early and mid-January. This can extend the growing period of winter melon, especially the vegetative growth period, making it easier for winter melon to set fruit around the rainy season when the air humidity is high and the temperature remains above 20°C. Winter melon planted in autumn is generally sown around the beginning of July or mid-July.

Winter melon planting time in Henan area: Usually it can be sown in spring when the temperature reaches above 20℃ and there is sufficient sunshine. The harvest period of winter melon is generally from August to October. Winter melon belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family and is an annual herb that likes warmth and can withstand high temperatures. The season when winter melon matures is closely related to the planting time. Winter melon sown in spring is generally harvested in autumn.

2. Winter melon maturity time

Mature winter melons are more durable in storage and transportation and have better flavor. About 45 days after fruit setting, when the rind turns bright dark green and most of the leaves on the plant are still green and not yellow, choose to harvest in the morning on a sunny day. However, the specific harvest time can also be appropriately advanced according to market demand.

The ripening season of winter melon is generally in summer, and the ripening season is closely related to the planting time. If sowing is done in autumn, the winter melon will mature in autumn. After the winter melon is ripe, it should be harvested in time.

3. Winter melon planting method

1. Cultivation season

Winter melon likes high temperatures and has strong heat resistance. Within the suitable temperature range, the higher the temperature, the faster it grows and develops. Therefore, its peak growth period must be arranged in the high temperature season, and it is usually planted after cucumbers.

2. Sowing time

Winter melon generally needs to be cultivated for seedlings, and the seedling age is about 40 to 50 days. The appropriate sowing period can be determined based on local climatic conditions, cultivation purposes and variety types. Small winter melons can be sown in early February, while large late-maturing winter melons are suitable for sowing in mid-to-late February.

3. Seed soaking and germination

Winter melon seeds germinate slowly and have a low germination potential, so high-temperature blanching and other measures should be taken before germination to ensure that the seeds can absorb water normally. It is more suitable for seeds to germinate at 25 to 30℃, and they will germinate after about 4 to 5 days.

4. Seedling management

Winter melon seedlings grow slowly and require higher temperatures during the seedling stage. In order to increase the bed temperature, the seedbed should be prepared in advance and the soil should be turned over and dried. In order to meet the nutrient needs of winter melon, the bed soil should be prepared in advance and mixed with more decomposed organic fertilizer to make it loose and fertile.

5. Planting at the right time

Winter melon has a well-developed root system, so the ground should be deeply plowed and leveled before planting to prevent water accumulation which may cause wilt and root rot. When planting, 3,000 to 5,000 jin/mu of decomposed organic fertilizer should be applied locally. The planting density varies depending on the cultivation method, climatic conditions and variety.

4. Harvest and Storage

Winter melon can be harvested 30 to 35 days after the flowers wither. It is not advisable to apply fertilizer or water before harvesting to enhance the photosynthesis of winter melon, reduce the water content of winter melon, and thus increase the storage time of winter melon. When harvesting, scissors are generally used to cut the melons to avoid damaging the vines, and they must be handled with care during transportation to avoid bruises and facilitate storage. However, winter melon should be harvested as soon as it matures. If it is harvested too late, the winter melon will be too mature and its flesh will become soft and cannot be stored and transported. When the winter melon is ripe, its skin is dark in color and has very little hair. In order to improve economic benefits, it can be put on the market early.

When storing winter melons, you should choose late-maturing large varieties with thick skin, thick flesh, dense texture, shiny green skin, covered with wax, uniform size, and no damage. The size of the storage warehouse depends on the quantity to be stored. Generally, a storage warehouse of about 30 square meters can store 5,000 kilograms of winter melon. Most of the storage warehouses are semi-underground, 3.6 meters high, with the above-ground and underground parts 1.8 meters high respectively. There are windows all around, which can be opened front, back, left and right to facilitate ventilation. The winter melon should be stored in a closed warehouse 2 to 3 days before being fumigated and disinfected with potassium permanganate. Place hay or straw mats at the bottom of the warehouse and place winter melons on top. Generally, stack them in no more than 3 layers to avoid crushing and damage. The winter melon should be placed according to its state when growing in the field. This will allow the winter melon to maintain its original gravity direction, preventing the flesh from being easily torn and allowing for a longer storage time. Strengthen ventilation in the early stage of winter melon storage, and open windows for ventilation when the temperature is high at noon to facilitate heat dissipation and cooling, eliminate moisture, reduce environmental humidity, and keep the cellar dry. During the storage of winter melon, the cellar temperature should be maintained at 10 to 15°C and the relative humidity should be maintained at 70% to 75% to avoid frost damage. It can generally be stored for 3 to 5 months.

The above are some basic technical points for winter melon cultivation. Specific operations also need to be adjusted appropriately in combination with local climate and soil conditions. The time for planting winter melon varies in different regions because winter melon has certain requirements for temperature. When the winter melon is ripe, it will be covered with a layer of white wax gourd, so it is also called white melon. Ripe winter melon feels hard to the touch, but becomes very delicious and soft after being stewed.