Technical Regulations and Cultivation Management Key Points for Honey Pumpkin (Miben Pumpkin)

AbstractSowing and seedling raising: Hole sowing can be carried out from late February to March, with a plant spacing of about 50cm and a row spacing of about 2m. Fertilization: Apply base fertilizer after plowing the soil; after the vines begin to spread, open furrows and apply urea or farmyard manure; during the flowering and fruiting stage, apply compound fertilizer or potassium fertilizer. Watering: Sufficient water is needed after sowing, and moderate watering after transplanting. Pruning and vine pressing: Use the side-shoot removal method and the topping method. Hand pollination: After flowering, carry out hand pollination every day from 8-10 am.

I. Sowing and Seedling Raising

1. In Guangdong region, honey pumpkin is sown from January to March in spring. If the temperature is relatively low in early spring, cold-protection seedling raising can be carried out in nutrient pots or nutrient cups, and transplanting can begin once the temperature warms up.

2. From late February to March, hole sowing can be used directly, with 2-3 seeds sown per hole, a plant spacing of about 50cm, and a row spacing of about 2m. After sowing, cover with a thin layer of 2-3cm of soil.

II. Reasonable Fertilization

1. Before sowing, the soil should be properly plowed, and then base fertilizer should be applied. About 2000-3000 kg of decomposed farmyard manure can be applied per mu.

2. After the vines begin to spread, furrows can be opened at about 15-20cm from the roots for fertilization. About 15-20 kg of urea or 500-1000 kg of farmyard manure can be applied per mu. Water promptly after fertilizing. During the flowering and fruiting stage, an appropriate amount of compound fertilizer or potassium fertilizer can be applied, and afterward, reasonable topdressing can be carried out according to the needs of the plants.

III. Timely Watering

After sowing, sufficient water should be applied to promote rapid seed germination. Before emergence and transplanting, the amount of watering should be properly controlled. After transplanting and establishment, moderate watering is sufficient. Generally, watering should be done immediately after fertilizing. In addition, watering can also be carried out promptly according to the growth condition of the plants and climate changes. Do not water if the soil is not dry. In rainy seasons, drainage should be carried out promptly.

IV. Pruning and Vine Pressing

1. To increase the yield of honey pumpkin, pruning and vine pressing can be carried out appropriately. Pruning can use the side-shoot removal method and the topping method.

2. Topping method: When the plant has grown 6-8 true leaves, remove the terminal bud and retain 3-4 secondary vines, with each secondary vine retaining 1-2 fruits. Side-shoot removal method: retain one main vine and remove all others. At the same time, when the vine grows to 40-50cm, it can be pressed, and a total of about 3-4 vine pressings can be done.

V. Hand Pollination

After the plant flowers, hand pollination can be carried out every day from 8-10 am by smearing pollen onto the stigma of female flowers. Each male flower can pollinate 1-2 female flowers.

VI. Pest and Disease Control

1. Common pests of honey pumpkin include aphids and yellow squash beetles. They can be controlled with 10% imidacloprid wettable powder at 3000-1000 times dilution or 40% dimethoate at 600-800 times dilution.

2. The main diseases of the plant include powdery mildew and mosaic disease. If mosaic disease is found, aphids should be controlled and eliminated promptly, and then the diseased plants should be removed promptly. To prevent the spread of the disease, lime water can be sprayed for disinfection. For powdery mildew control, carbendazim, triadimefon, colloidal sulfur, and others can be used.