When Do Winter Melons Ripen? A Detailed Guide to Planting Time and Methods

SummaryPlanting time: the spring planting sowing period is generally from December to March of the following year, while the autumn planting sowing period is June-July. Planting method: winter melon is generally grown from seedlings, with a seedling age of about 40-50 days. Small winter melons are mostly sown in early February, while large late-maturing winter melons are sown in mid-to-late February. The seeds need 4-5 days to sprout at 25-30°C. Before planting, plow deeply and level and harrow the soil finely to prevent waterlogging, which can cause fusarium wilt and root rot. Apply decomposed organic fertilizer during the seedling stage and transplant at the right time.

The winter melon is truly a treasure. Not only is its flesh tender and delicious and rich in nutrients, but its skin and seeds also have very high edible and medicinal value. It can truly be called a treasure from head to toe, and it is even known as the “number one melon of summer.” So when is the best time to plant such a delicious and nutritious winter melon?

I. Winter Melon Planting Time

1. The spring planting sowing period is generally from December to March of the following year, and the autumn planting sowing period is June-July.

2. In the Guangzhou area, winter melon cultivation is divided into spring planting and autumn planting, with spring planting being more common, generally sown in January-February. Provided that cold-protection measures are taken, early sowing is better than late sowing. Sowing in early to mid-January can extend the growing period, especially the vegetative growth period, so that the winter melon sets fruit around the rainy season, when air humidity is relatively high and the temperature is above 20°C. Autumn-planted winter melon is generally sown around Minor Heat (early to mid-July).

3. Planting time for winter melon in the Henan area: generally, it can be sown when the spring temperature is above 20°C and there is plenty of sunlight. It can be harvested from August to October. Winter melon belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family and is an annual herbaceous plant. It is a warmth-loving, heat-tolerant variety. The ripening season of winter melon is inseparable from the planting time. Sow in spring, harvest in autumn.

II. When Winter Melon Ripens

1. Winter melon is valued for its storage tolerance as a mature melon and its good taste. About 45 days after fruit set, the rind becomes glossy and dark green, while most of the plant's leaves remain green and have not withered or turned yellow. Harvest on a sunny morning. However, depending on market supply and demand, it may also be harvested appropriately early for sale.

2. The ripening season of winter melon is generally in summer, and the ripening season of winter melon is inseparable from the planting time. If sown in autumn, the ripening season is in autumn. After the winter melon ripens, remember to harvest it in a timely manner.

III. Winter Melon Planting Methods

1. Cultivation season: winter melon likes high temperatures and has strong heat resistance. Within the suitable temperature range, the higher the temperature, the faster its growth and development. Therefore, its peak growth period must be arranged in the high-temperature season. In production, the transplanting period is generally scheduled after cucumbers.

2. Sowing time: winter melon is generally grown from seedlings, with a seedling age of 40-50 days. The suitable sowing time can be determined according to local climatic conditions, cultivation purpose, and variety type. Small winter melons can be sown in early February, and large late-maturing winter melons can be sown in mid-to-late February.

3. Seed soaking and sprouting: winter melon seeds germinate slowly and have relatively low germination vigor. Before sprouting, measures such as hot-water seed treatment should be used so that the seeds absorb water normally. Seeds sprout best at 25-30°C, and can germinate after about 4-5 days.

4. Seedling management: winter melon seedlings grow slowly, and the seedling stage requires high temperatures. To raise the bed temperature, the seedbed should be prepared in advance and the soil turned and sun-dried. To meet its nutrient requirements, the bed soil should be prepared in advance and mixed with more decomposed organic fertilizer to make it loose and fertile.

5. Timely transplanting: winter melon has a well-developed root system. Before planting, plow deeply and level and harrow the soil finely to prevent waterlogging, which can cause fusarium wilt and root rot. When transplanting, apply decomposed organic fertilizer locally at 3000-5000 jin/mu. The density varies depending on the cultivation method, climatic conditions, and variety.

IV. Harvesting and Storage

1. Winter melon can be harvested 30-35 days after the flowers fade.

2. Before harvesting, it is not advisable to fertilize or water, so as to enhance the photosynthesis of the winter melon and reduce its water content. Only in this way can the storage time of the winter melon be increased.

3. When harvesting, it is generally cut off with scissors to avoid pulling and damaging the vines. The melons should also be handled gently and not bumped or damaged, so as to facilitate storage. However, winter melon should be harvested once it ripens. If harvested too late, the winter melon will be overripe, its flesh will become soft, and it will not store or transport well.

4. After the winter melon ripens, its skin color is deep and it has very little fuzz. To improve its economic benefits, it can be brought to market early.

5. For stored winter melon, choose large late-maturing varieties with thick skin, thick flesh, a dense texture, a glossy green rind covered with wax, uniform size, and no damage.

6. The size of the cellar store depends on the quantity stored. Generally, about 30 sq m can store 5000 kg of winter melon. The cellar store is mostly semi-underground, with a height of 3.6 m, with the above-ground and underground parts each 1.8 m high. Windows are set on all four sides and can be opened front, back, left, and right for ventilation and air exchange.

7. Two to three days before the winter melons are put into storage, seal the cellar and fumigate it with potassium permanganate for disinfection. Spread dry grass or straw mats on the bottom of the store, place the winter melons on top, and generally stack no more than 3 layers to avoid crushing and damage. They should be placed according to their state when growing in the field, so that the winter melons keep their original direction of gravity, the flesh is less likely to crack, and the storage time is longer.

8. In the early stage after the winter melons are put into the cellar, strengthen ventilation. When the temperature is high at noon, open the windows for ventilation and air exchange to help dissipate heat and lower the temperature, remove moisture, reduce environmental humidity, and keep the cellar dry. During storage of winter melon, keep the cellar temperature at 10-15°C and the relative humidity at 70%-75% to avoid freezing damage. It can generally be stored for 3-5 months.

As mentioned above, the time for planting winter melon differs from region to region, because winter melon has certain temperature requirements. After the winter melon ripens, it is covered with a layer of white coating, so winter melon is also called white melon. A ripe winter melon feels hard to the touch, but after stewing it is very delicious and soft!