How to grow watermelon for beginners
Let's talk about how beginners grow watermelon and the related topics of watermelon cultivation techniques and management points. Let's take a look together!
"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, earning the reputation of the 'King of Midsummer'. Watermelon is not only sweet and juicy but also contains many beneficial ingredients for the human body. Watermelon also has high economic value. Let's take a look at how to grow it and some management matters of watermelon.
1. Watermelon cultivation techniques
1. Seed disinfection
Seeds must be disinfected before planting. Generally, seeds are soaked in a 50% carbendazim solution diluted 500 times for an 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 required for germination is 29℃ to 30℃. Common germination methods include constant temperature box germination, stove germination, and body germination. Considering the characteristics of watermelon seeds and convenience, it is recommended to use stove germination. The specific operation is to wrap the seeds in a damp cloth, roll the damp cloth well into a plastic bag, and place it under the quilt of the stove for germination. Adjust the position of the seeds in real-time depending on the temperature. You can also germinate seeds in a pot or next to the pot based on the principle of stove germination.
4. Seedling raising
Watermelon planting is divided into direct seeding and seedling transplanting. The seedling transplanting method can promote the healthy growth of the seeds. In the process of seedling transplanting, the help of a nutrient钵 is needed to avoid damaging the plant roots as much as possible. The soil should be selected with moderate viscosity, and the fertilizer 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 depth of sowing should be appropriate. Decide the depth of planting according to the size of the seeds, with larger seeds buried deeper and smaller seeds buried shallower, with a soil cover thickness of about 1.5 cm.
(2) Watermelon seeds are flat and melon-shaped. When sowing, they should be placed flat, which is beneficial to reduce the emergence of capillary situations and promote seed growth.
(3) Do not plant when the temperature is too low. If possible, wait until the seedbed temperature is stable at about 25℃ before proceeding with the operation.
(4) Keep the bottom of the bed soil in a higher place, water it first, and then plant. Place one seed in each nutrient钵, cover it with a layer of fine soil, and then cover it with a layer of plastic film, which is conducive to seed germination.
7. Seedbed management
The temperature of the seedbed should be maintained at around 30℃, and the temperature can be slightly increased after the seedlings have grown heart leaves. In the early stage, the seedbed can be kept warm by covering it with insulation materials at night, and artificial insulation should be carried out when cold currents arrive.
8. Planting density
The planting density should be determined according to the variety. Generally, the standard is 400 to 700 seedlings per 667㎡.
II. Management methods
1. Land selection and fertilization
Soil with deep soil layers, loose and breathable, and good drainage is more suitable for cultivating watermelon, preferably sandy soil. Organic fertilizer and cake fertilizer can be added as base fertilizers, and a small amount of inorganic fertilizer can also be added. The nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium elements in the fertilizer cannot be missing.
2. Timely valuation
When the seedlings have grown 2 to 3 true leaves, they can be valued. Different varieties have different valuation times. If it is a wide bed, two rows are planted, and if it is a narrow bed, one row is planted. Pay attention to covering the film during transplanting.
3. Pruning and pressing vines
Three-vine pruning is the most common pruning method. When the main vine has grown 8 to 9 leaves, in addition to the main vine, two side vines with good growth should be selected. When the vines grow to 50 cm, press the vines with soil, combine pruning with vine pressing, and repeat the operation every 3 to 4 internodes, with each vine pressed 2 to 3 times.
4. Setting and turning watermelon
Leave the second and third female flowers on the main vine or the first and second female flowers on the side vines for setting watermelon. When pollination is hindered by low temperature and rainy days, artificial 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 moved by one-third.
5. Water and fertilizer management
When the plant has grown to the size of an egg, it indicates that it is about to enter the expansion period. At this time, it is necessary to apply expansion fertilizer to the watermelon according to its growth, usually 15-20 kilograms of sulfate potassium-controlled release fertilizer per mu. Watering should be done in the early morning and evening when the temperature is low, and it is less likely to damage the watermelon. Moreover, after rainfall, 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, anthracnose, viral disease, red spider, yellow cucumber beetle, and melon maggot pests that harm watermelon. It is necessary to remove the affected branches, vines, and seedlings in time and use corresponding agents for watermelon treatment.
The above content about how beginners grow watermelon and the techniques and management points of watermelon cultivation can be used as a reference for green plant enthusiasts.