A Detailed Guide to the Planting Time and Methods of Roasted Melon

SummaryPlanting time: Suitable for planting in late April. Planting method: Choose plots where corn, wheat, potatoes and other crops were grown, and apply an appropriate amount of urea, American diammonium phosphate, phosphate fertilizer and farmyard manure per mu as base fertilizer; after sowing, transplant when the seedlings grow to 5-6 leaves, with about 2000 plants transplanted per mu; after harvesting 3-4 times, apply an appropriate amount of diammonium phosphate as topdressing; in the later stage, promptly pinch off the growing tips and carry out artificial pollination; generally the tender fruit can be harvested 5-7 days after flowering.

I. Planting Time

The planting time for roasted melon is late April. Before sowing, plastic film should be laid early to help increase soil temperature and humidity.

II. Land Preparation and Fertilization

1. On the prepared plot, form flat ridges 5-7 cm high and 50-60 cm wide, with furrows 30-40 cm wide, and cover with 70 cm wide plastic film when soil moisture is good or when seizing moisture after heavy rain.

2. Before sowing, choose plots where corn, wheat, potatoes and other crops were grown, and carry out land preparation and fertilization. Per mu, apply 10-15 kg of urea, 20-30 kg of American diammonium phosphate, 50-70 kg of phosphate fertilizer, and 5000 kg of fully decomposed farmyard manure as base fertilizer.

III. Sowing and Transplanting

1. Direct seeding can be used for planting, with double seedlings per hole. Transplant when the seedlings grow to 5-6 leaves. Roasted melon grows relatively fast, so during this period it should be planted appropriately sparsely to facilitate ventilation and light penetration.

2. When transplanting, try not to damage the roots, stems and leaves, as this helps the transplanted seedlings carry out photosynthesis and flower bud differentiation. The suitable plant spacing is generally 50-55 cm, and about 2000 plants can be transplanted per mu.

IV. Temperature Management

Using plastic film mulch for roasted melon can increase soil temperature and humidity and create good conditions for seedling growth.

V. Water and Fertilizer Management

From sowing to harvesting the first melon, water must be strictly controlled and watering should be avoided to prevent excessive vine growth. After harvesting 3-4 times, spray the leaves with a 1:1000 dilution of Plant Power 2003 once every 20 days, for 2-3 consecutive sprays. At the same time, apply 10-15 kg of diammonium phosphate per mu as topdressing with water.

VI. Timely Pinching of Growing Tips

1. When the cotyledons of roasted melon unfold and the first true leaf appears, thinning is needed, during which 2-3 seedlings can be retained. At the 4-leaf stage, final thinning can be carried out, keeping 1 strong seedling, and at the 5-6 leaf stage, pinch off the growing tip.

2. After side vines appear, keep 2-4 healthy side vines. After the side vines reach 4-5 leaves, pinch off the growing tips again, and keep 2-3 healthy secondary side vines from each. After fruit set, pinch off the growing tip leaving 2-3 leaves at the tip. In the later stage, if the vine tip turns upward, pinch off the tip. Generally, if fewer plants are planted, more vines should be retained; if more plants are planted, fewer vines should be retained.

VII. Artificial Pollination

Artificial pollination helps increase the fruit-setting rate. When there are few male flowers or insufficient pollen, 2,4-D can be smeared on the base of the female flower stigma and on the young melon at the base of the corolla. Alternatively, from 8-10 am, remove the corolla from a freshly opened male flower to expose the anther, then gently smear it a few times on the stigma.

VIII. Timely Harvesting

1. Roasted melon grows very quickly. Generally, 5-7 days after flowering, the roasted melon can reach a weight of 0.25 kg, and at this time the tender fruit can be harvested promptly. Roasted melon fruits easily compete for nutrients, so timely harvesting can promote healthy plant growth, prevent premature aging, and also help improve yield and quality.

2. Generally, using plastic film mulch cultivation for roasted melon is an important measure to improve the yield and quality of roasted melon and increase farmers' income.