How to manage watermelons for high yield
Are you curious about how to manage watermelons for high yield and the knowledge of watermelon cultivation and management techniques, such as the greenery aspect? It will definitely bring you some help. Let's learn about it together!
Watermelon flesh is sweet and juicy, and it is very popular in the summer. Many farmers also choose to grow watermelons. So, how to plant watermelons to achieve high yields? And how to manage them?
1. Select good varieties and arrange them reasonably
Good varieties are a prerequisite for high yields. Reasonably arranging early, medium, and late-maturing varieties can improve economic benefits.
2. Key points of cultivation techniques
(1) Do not rush to plant in the early stage, just ensure there is no water shortage during the pollination period, avoid excessive watering, and prevent plant overgrowth.
(2) After the watermelon sets, water and fertilize in a timely manner.
(3) Watering after setting watermelons should not be too late, and the amount of water should be appropriate.
(4) Watermelons can be watered and fertilized generously during the expansion stage to increase yield.
3. Clean ditches and drain water, prepare land and apply fertilizer
Dig drainage ditches around the perimeter to ensure that all ditches are connected and the water dries up after the rain.
4. Timely germinate and plant seeds, seriously raise seedlings and transplant
(1) Planting period. According to climatic conditions and the temperature required for watermelon growth, it is best to plant in the field in mid-to-late April.
(2) Seed quantity. Use 1-1.5 kg of seeds per mu of field, and for hybrid watermelons, use 2-2.5 kg per mu.
(3) Soak and germinate seeds. First, soak seeds in warm water at 50-55°C for 15-20 minutes, then add a small amount of cold water to lower the temperature, and let the water cool naturally for 2-3 hours.
(4) The suitable temperature for watermelon seed germination is 30-35°C.
5. Plant in the open field
When the sprouts are 1-2 cm long, they can be selected for planting. Plant 2-3 seeds per hole and remove the weaker seedlings, promptly filling in the gaps.
6.保温育苗 (Keep seedlings warm)
It can be sown as early as the end of March or early April. It has the advantages of saving seeds, ease of management, strong seedlings, early maturity, and high yield.
7. Reasonable dense planting, scientific分期施肥 (staging fertilization)
(1) The planting density of watermelons varies depending on the variety and soil fertility, with about 450 plants per mu being suitable.
(2) Till the soil, remove weeds promptly, and generally till 2-3 times.
(3) For top dressing, follow the principle of less food more meals and start light and then heavy.
(4) When most of the melon bowls are large, use 15 kg of urea + 5 kg of potassium fertilizer per mu, mixed with water and applied near the melon roots.
(5) After the first batch of watermelons is harvested, to grow the second and third batches well and prevent early seedling decline, 80 kg of active organic fertilizer + 15 kg of urea can be applied underground per mu.
8. Take various measures to improve fruit setting rate
(1) Pruning and removing suckers. Watermelons have a strong branching ability, which can cause excessive vine growth and low fruit setting rate. Pruning is to adjust the direction of nutrient distribution, maintain a certain leaf-fruit ratio, improve quality, and increase fruit size to promote fruit development.
(2) Artificial pollination. The method is: In the early morning, pick the male flower buds that open on the same day and place them in a small basin to let them open naturally. After the female flowers open, remove the petals of the male flowers, and apply the twisted anthers to the honeycomb-like stigma of the female flowers. One male flower can pollinate 1-2 female flowers.
(3) Select and leave melons. Sometimes, a plant may have several melons, which significantly reduces the fruit size. Remove the malformed young fruits and leave 1-2 to concentrate nutrients and increase fruit size.
(4) Protect young fruits. Use waste paper, grass, etc., to cover the young fruits to prevent damage from wind and rain.
(5) Prevent overgrowth. Mainly apply fertilizers reasonably, avoid excessive nitrogen fertilization, and if overgrowth occurs, take measures such as needling, breaking the core, or bending the vines to stop it.
9. Timely irrigation
(1) In the rainy season, clear the ditches and drain the water to lower the groundwater level.
(2) In the hot and dry season, when the leaves of watermelons show signs of wilting, water should be灌溉ed in the middle of the night, with rapid irrigation and rapid drainage.
10. Control pests and diseases
(1) For the control of pests and diseases, agricultural control should be the main method, with comprehensive control.
(2) Methods such as "grafting to change roots," soil disinfection, crop rotation, selecting disease-resistant varieties, and chemical agents can be used.
11. Harvest in time, high yield and good quality
(1) It takes about 40 days from the flowering of the fruit to the maturity of the fruit.
(2) Harvesting in time is not only a measure to ensure quality and increase economic benefits but also a key to cultivating the next batch of fruits to increase the total yield.
The above sharing on how to manage watermelons for high yield and related explanations on watermelon cultivation and management techniques are hoping to bring you a little help in your life!