How to grow watermelon for beginners
Are you curious about how beginners grow watermelon and the introduction of watermelon planting methods and management for green plants? Let's get to know together next.
"Swallowing eliminates the smell of firewood, and it sounds like ice and snow when it enters the teeth." This is the ode to watermelon by the famous poet Wen Tianxiang. Watermelon is a common fruit in our lives. It can quench thirst and has diuretic effects, especially popular in summer and known as the "King of Midsummer." Watermelon is not only sweet and juicy but also contains many beneficial ingredients for the human body. Watermelon is also a fruit with high economic value. Let's take a look at how to plant it and some management issues together.
1. Watermelon Planting Techniques
1. Seed disinfection
Disinfect seeds before sowing, generally soak seeds in a 50% carbendazim solution (500 times dilution) for 1 hour. If you want to save time, you can use a 2% to 4% bleaching powder solution for disinfection, which can be shortened to half an hour. Be sure to pay attention to the concentration ratio of the disinfectant solution.
2. Seed soaking
Soaking seeds can effectively shorten the germination time. Since the surface of watermelon seeds is relatively thick and has poor water permeability, the seeds should be soaked for 8 hours.
3. Germination
The temperature requirement for germination is 29℃ to 30℃. Common germination methods include constant temperature box germination, fire炕 germination, and human body germination. Considering the characteristics of watermelon seeds and convenience, it is recommended to use fire炕 germination. The specific operation is to wrap the seeds in a wet cloth, roll the wet cloth well into a plastic bag, and place it under the bedding of the fire炕 for germination. Adjust the position of the seeds in real-time according to the temperature. You can also place the seeds in a pot or next to the pot based on the principle of fire炕 germination.
4. Seedling raising
Watermelon sowing is divided into direct sowing and seedling transplantation. The method of seedling transplantation is more conducive to healthy seedling growth. In the process of seedling transplantation, it is necessary to use the help of a nutrient pot to minimize root damage to the plant. The soil should be selected with moderate viscosity, and fertilizers can use ripe cake fertilizer or farm manure, with a soil and fertilizer ratio of 7:3, and an appropriate amount of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers and fungicides should be added.
5. Timely sowing
Planting can be carried out when the ground temperature of the planting site is maintained above 15℃, but the sowing time can also be chosen according to the situation and planting method.
6. Precautions during sowing
(1) The sowing depth should be appropriate. Decide the depth of the seed according to the size of the seed. Larger seeds should be buried deeper, smaller seeds should be buried shallowly, with a soil cover thickness of about 1.5cm being suitable.
(2) Watermelon seeds are flat and melon-shaped. When sowing, place them flat to reduce the occurrence of hatting and promote seed growth.
(3) Do not plant at too low temperatures. If possible, wait until the seedbed temperature stabilizes at around 25℃ before proceeding with the operation.
(4) Keep the bottom of the bed soil at a higher place, water it first, and then sow. Place one seed in each nutrient pot, cover it with a layer of fine soil, and then cover it with a layer of plastic film to help the seeds germinate.
7. Seedbed management
The temperature of the seedbed should be maintained at about 30℃, and the temperature can be slightly increased after the seedlings have grown heart leaves. In the early stage, the seedbed should be kept warm by covering it with insulating materials at night, and artificial insulation should be carried out when cold air attacks.
8. Planting density
The planting density is determined by the variety. Generally, the standard is 400-700 seedlings per 667㎡.
2. Management Methods
1. Site selection and fertilization
Soil with deep soil layer, loose and ventilated, and good drainage performance is more suitable for cultivating watermelon, preferably sandy soil. Organic fertilizers and cake fertilizers can be added as basal fertilizers, and a small amount of inorganic fertilizers can also be added. Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium elements in fertilizers should not be lacking.
2. Timely final planting
When the seedlings have grown 2-3 true leaves, they can be final planted. Varieties with different maturity times have different planting times. If it is a wide ridge, plant two rows; if it is a narrow ridge, plant one row. Cover the film at the same time when transplanting.
3. Pruning and pressing vines
Three-vine pruning is the most common pruning method. When the main vine has grown 8-9 leaves, two good side vines should be selected in addition to the main vine. When the vine grows to 50cm, press the vine with soil, combining pruning and pressing operations, then repeat the operation at intervals of 3-4 nodes, pressing each vine 2-3 times.
4. Setting and turning watermelons
Leave the second and third female flowers on the main vine or the first and second female flowers on the side vines for setting watermelons. When pollination is hindered by low temperature and rainy days, manual pollination should be assisted. After the fruit has reached a certain size, it should be turned over in time, noting that it should be turned in one direction, and each time the watermelon should be turned one-third.
5. Water and fertilizer management
When the plant has grown to the size of an egg, it is about to enter the expansion period. At this time, it is necessary to apply expansion fertilizers to the watermelon according to its growth. Generally, 15-20 kilograms of sulfate potassium-controlled release fertilizers should be applied per mu. Irrigation should be carried out in the early morning and evening when the temperature is low, and the watermelon is not easily damaged. After rain, the accumulated water in the melon field should be drained in time.
6. Timely harvesting
Harvesting is best done when the temperature conditions are more suitable in the morning. If the distance for marketing and transportation is far and takes a long time, the watermelon can be harvested when it is 80% mature. If it is sold nearby, it can be harvested when it is 90% mature.
7. Disease and pest control
Mainly control wilt disease, anthrax disease, viral disease, and pests such as red spider, yellow guard, and melon maggot that harm watermelon. Timely remove the affected branches, vines, and seedlings and use corresponding agents to treat the watermelon.
That is the introduction of how beginners grow watermelon and the specific planting methods and management of watermelon. I hope it brings some knowledge of flowers to green plant enthusiasts.