How to Grow Melon Seedlings? Detailed Planting Methods and Steps
AbstractAfter melon seedlings emerge, ventilation and hardening off should begin. The daytime temperature should be kept at around 20-25°C, and the nighttime temperature is best kept at around 10°C. During the seedling stage, more fertilizer and water should be applied to prevent the seedlings from being harmed by root rot. Timely pinching and vine training should be carried out on melon seedlings to promote fruiting. When training the vines, spread grass beneath the vines and turn the melons in time to prevent damage from yellow squash beetle larvae. Apply topdressing at the right time, water reasonably, and harvest in time.
Melon, namely sweet melon, is rich in vitamins and amino acids. It is distributed in many regions of China, especially in rural areas of China, where almost every household grows melon in summer.
Melon Seedling Management
1. Ventilation and hardening off: Melon seedlings grow very quickly. To prevent excessive vegetative growth, water and temperature must be strictly controlled during cultivation. Once the seedlings sprout and emerge, gradually begin ventilation and hardening off. Generally, the daytime temperature should be controlled at around 20-25°C, and the nighttime temperature is best controlled at around 10°C.
2. Seedling stage management: During the seedling stage, apply more fertilizer and water. To prevent melon seedlings from being harmed by root rot, generally water the seedlings with compound fertilizer water about once a week, and also apply metalaxyl or metalaxyl-copper together. After the melon seedlings grow 4-5 true leaves, spray Bordeaux mixture once to prevent powdery mildew and white rust.
3. Pinching and vine training: Melon fruits grow on secondary vines and tertiary vines, so during cultivation, timely pinching and vine training should be carried out to promote fruiting. Generally, the 6-vine system is used. When the vine grows 5-6 leaves, leave 4 leaves and pinch, keeping 2 secondary vines, and then below each secondary vine keep 3 tertiary vines each.
4. Spreading grass and turning melons: To avoid melon fruits being harmed by yellow squash beetle larvae and to reduce quality and yield, spread grass beneath the vines when training them. When the melons grow to half size, turn the fruits in time. This can not only avoid insect damage but also make the melon rind firm and the taste consistent.
5. Timely topdressing: To promote the growth of melon, after pinching the melon, apply 500 kg of dried human manure and 50-100 kg of cake fertilizer per mu of planting field, generally in a ring 10 cm away from the roots. After covering with soil, apply 100-200 kg of plant ash. After each melon harvest, apply 200-300 kg of diluted manure and 5 kg of superphosphate per mu of planting field.
6. Reasonable irrigation: During the seedling stage of melon, focus mainly on control, and appropriately restrain seedling growth. At the early flowering stage and fruit-setting stage, combine promotion and control. To prevent excessive vine growth and fruit abortion, strengthen irrigation in the middle and late stages of cultivation to help the melons adapt to high temperatures and meet the water needs of melons and vines during vigorous growth. During the ripening stage of the melons, stop watering to improve their quality.
7. Timely harvest: Early-maturing melons can be harvested around June 2. If it is a grafted variety, the harvest time can be advanced by 1 week. Generally, the first crop of fruit will set around June 20, and sweet melons should be harvested in time.
Planting Time and Precautions for Melon
Generally, sowing is carried out from August to October, and no later than mid-November. If spring sowing is chosen, the time is generally controlled around February to March, and it is best to ensure harvest at Qingming and Guyu.
18-25°C is the suitable temperature for the growth and development of melon, and 22-25°C is the suitable temperature for flowering and fruiting. Melon has strong adaptability to the environment and also strong temperature resistance, but it has relatively high light requirements. To achieve better growth and development of melon, the sunshine duration needs to be maintained at more than 10-12 hours. If it can be maintained at 14-15 hours per day for a long time, their growth will be even better.