What Does Watermelon Resemble
In the scorching summer days, watermelon, as a cooling delicacy, always captures people's attention. This fruit of the gourd family not only has a unique appearance but also offers a rich variety and cultivation knowledge worth exploring. This article will comprehensively explain the mysteries of watermelon from its morphological characteristics, nutritional value to planting techniques.
Analysis of Watermelon Morphological Characteristics
Manifestation of Fruit Shape Diversity
Watermelons come in various shapes such as spherical, elliptical, and cylindrical, commonly with diameters of 20-35 centimeters. The skin texture includes deep green stripes, net-like patterns, and solid color varieties, with the thickness of the peel directly affecting transportation and storage performance.
Color Spectrum of Flesh
The mainstream varieties have bright red flesh, while special varieties with golden yellow and orange flesh have been cultivated in recent years. The flesh texture is divided into crisp and sandy, and绵密 types, with sugar content gradients creating unique flavor layers.
Nutritional and Medicinal Value of Watermelon
Analysis of Nutrients
Every 100 grams of flesh contains 8.1 mg of vitamin C and 4.5 mg of lycopene. The content of citrulline reaches 200 mg/100g, which has a special effect of promoting blood circulation. The content of cucurbitacins in the peel is three times that of the flesh, which can be processed into hypotensive tea drinks.
Development of Medicinal Value
Traditional medicine uses the watermelon rind (peel) as a medicine, and modern research confirms that its citrulline component can assist in the treatment of hypertension. The seeds contain 35% high-quality protein and can be made into high-calcium snacks after roasting.
Watermelon Cultivation and Maintenance Techniques
Soil Environment Control
Choose sandy loam soil with a pH value of 6-6.8, and deeply cultivate more than 40 cm. Before planting, apply 3 tons of decomposed organic fertilizer per mu, combined with 50 kg of calcium magnesium phosphate fertilizer to improve soil structure.
Temperature and Light Management
Keep the ground temperature at 25-30℃ during the germination period, and the day-night temperature difference should reach more than 10℃ during the vine extension period. Plant in a north-south direction to ensure 8 hours of direct sunlight daily and use silver reflective film to enhance the lower leaves' light exposure.
Accurate Water and Fertilizer Control
Use drip irrigation technology, maintaining soil moisture at 70% during the fruit-setting period. Top-dress in 4 stages, with an additional application of 15 kg of potassium fertilizer per mu during the expansion period, and stop watering 15 days before harvest to increase sugar content.
What Does Watermelon Resemble
Appreciation of Watermelon Variety Atlas
From traditional black beauty to square gift watermelons, watermelon cultivation techniques continue to innovate. Mastering scientific planting methods and managing according to variety characteristics can not only improve fruit quality but also extend the harvest period. With the development of facility agriculture, watermelon has achieved annual production and become an important economic crop promoting rural revitalization.