Zucchini Cultivation Techniques: Planting Density Must Be Reasonable, Later-Stage Management Is Key

AbstractSoil preparation and fertilization: mainly organic fertilizer, combined with an appropriate amount of cake fertilizer, compound fertilizer and plant ash; spread the fertilizer on the ground and then level the ground. Digging furrows and making beds: use deep furrows and high beds, with plastic film mulching cultivation. Planting: plant in mid-March, when the seedlings are about 30 days old. Temperature: do not ventilate during the seedling recovery stage; raise the greenhouse temperature to promote rooting. Fruit retention: hand pollination in early spring. Fertilizer and water: water and topdress in good time. Harvesting: leave more fruits on vigorous plants, harvest fruits later from leggy plants, and harvest fruits early from weak plants.

I. Zucchini Growing Conditions

The suitable temperature for the zucchini growing period is about 20-25°C. If the temperature is below 15°C, zucchini growth will become slow; below 8°C, zucchini will stop growing; and when the temperature reaches above 30°C, zucchini growth will also become slow and disease is very likely to occur.

The suitable temperature for zucchini seed germination is about 25-30°C. Seeds can germinate as long as the temperature reaches 13°C, but rather slowly. If the temperature is about 30-35°C, germination is very fast, but leggy growth is very likely to be caused.

The suitable temperature for the flowering and fruiting period of zucchini is about 22-25°C. The minimum temperature for root growth is about 6°C, the minimum temperature for root hair formation is about 12°C, and when the night temperature is 8-10°C, fertilized fruits can develop normally.

Zucchini has moderate requirements for light intensity and is relatively tolerant of weak light, but insufficient light easily causes leggy growth. In terms of photoperiod, it is a short-day plant, but long-day conditions are favorable for stem and leaf growth, while short-day conditions make the fruiting period earlier. Zucchini likes moisture and is not tolerant of drought. Under high temperature and drought conditions, viral disease easily occurs, while under high temperature and high humidity conditions, powdery mildew is also easily caused. Zucchini does not have very strict requirements for soil; sandy soil, loam soil and clay soil can all be used for cultivation, and deep loam soil easily achieves high yield.

II. Zucchini Cultivation Techniques

1. Soil preparation and fertilization

The base fertilizer is mainly organic fertilizer. Generally, apply about 2000 kg of decomposed organic fertilizer, about 75 kg of cake fertilizer, about 40 kg of compound fertilizer and about 80 kg of plant ash per mu. Spread the fertilizer evenly on the ground, then deep plow 30 cm and level the ground.

2. Digging furrows and making beds

Use deep furrows and high beds with plastic film mulching cultivation. Generally, the bed width is about 100 cm, the bed height is about 20 cm, and the furrow width is about 25-30 cm. Before covering the film, level the bed surface again and spray an appropriate amount of herbicide. When covering the film, pull it tight and flat so that the plastic film fits closely against the bed surface, and press the edges of the film firmly with soil. After soil preparation, fertilization, bed making and film covering, before planting, fumigate with 45% chlorothalonil smoke agent at 1 kg per mu, close the greenhouse and disinfect it for 1 week.

3. Planting

Planting is generally carried out in mid-March each year. When the seedlings have 3 true leaves and 1 heart leaf, or 4 leaves just unfolded, and the seedling age is about 1 month, they can be planted. For small varieties, plant in double rows with a spacing of 40×40 cm, about 1800 plants per mu. For large varieties, plant in double rows with a spacing of 50×50 cm, about 1600 plants per mu. One day before planting, water the seedbed thoroughly. Select strong, good seedlings and try to transplant them with more soil around the roots. When planting, the root system should be allowed to spread normally. After planting, water to settle the roots, and cover the planting holes tightly with fine soil. After that, water once a day until the seedlings survive.

4. Temperature

Do not ventilate during the seedling recovery stage. Raise the greenhouse temperature to promote zucchini rooting. During the day, the greenhouse temperature should be kept at about 25-28°C, and at night at about 18-20°C. On sunny days at noon, when the greenhouse temperature exceeds 30°C, ventilate appropriately. After seedling recovery, the greenhouse temperature during the day should be controlled at about 20-25°C, and at night at about 12-15°C, which is more favorable for female flower differentiation and early fruit setting. After fruit setting, the daytime temperature should be kept at about 22-26°C, and the nighttime temperature at about 15-18°C, and it must not be lower than 10°C. Increasing the day-night temperature difference will be more favorable for nutrient accumulation and the expansion of zucchini fruits.

5. Fruit retention

When the temperature is low in early spring, hand pollination should be adopted. Generally, before 9 a.m., pick male flowers that opened that day, remove their corollas, and then gently smear them on the stigmas of female flowers. Plant hormones such as anti-drop agent and fruit-setting agent can also be used according to the instructions.

6. Fertilizer and water

Water in good time according to soil moisture. If fertilizer deficiency is found in the later stage, after breaking the film, topdress with 10-15 kg of compound fertilizer per mu or spray foliar fertilizer.

7. Harvesting

Zucchini is mainly eaten as tender fruit. When it reaches the specification suitable for market, harvest it in good time. Vigorous plants should appropriately retain more fruits and larger fruits, while leggy plants should appropriately have their fruits harvested later. Weak plants should retain fewer fruits and have their fruits harvested early. When picking, be sure not to damage the main vine of the zucchini, and keep the fruit stalk on the main vine as much as possible.