Sharing Experience and Key Technical Points of Soilless Cultivation of Hami Melon

I. Basic construction: 1. Sand ridge: According to the width of the greenhouse, dig a groove with a slope (preferably one that allows water to flow), an inverted triangle, with a top width of about 30 cm, a depth of 40 cm, and an iron mesh laid 20 or 25 cm from the bottom of the ditch. On top of the iron mesh, lay a plastic mesh (mesh size should be such that sand does not leak through), and on the groove walls above the mesh, lay a layer of felt and a layer of plastic sheeting to separate it from the soil, then fill in sand level with the ground, with a ridge spacing of 1.2 m. Replace the sand once every two years (for crops susceptible to continuous cropping obstacles). 2. Water channel: On the lower side, dig a drainage groove vertically at the end of the ridges to connect with each ridge. Excess water and fertilizer in the ridges can flow into this groove, be discharged, and then reused. Line the groove with cement to prevent seepage and facilitate water flow, and build a water storage tank on the side and connect it to the water groove. On the higher side of the ridge, install a main pipe with a diameter of 1.5 or 2 cun, connected to a water pump, with the end tied tightly, and connect branch pipes laid along the ridges, with a diameter of 0.5 or 0.8 cun. Next to the seedlings, prick two pinhole-sized holes in the branch pipes, and tie the ends tightly. To prevent water from splashing onto the leaves, cover the branch pipes with a layer of film. After being pumped and pressurized by a small water pump, it becomes a semi-drip, semi-spray irrigation method.

II. Management: The management methods are basically the same as those in ordinary greenhouses. When seedlings reach the four-leaf-one-bud stage, transplant them into the sand grooves with a plant spacing of 35 cm. After planting, water them (with added nutrient solution). Fertilization should be done by diluting the nutrient solution in the water storage tank according to the needs of the seedling stage, flowering stage, fruiting stage, and maturity stage, and then applying it with irrigation. Inside the greenhouse, fix wires along the top parallel to the ridges. Use plastic strips to hang the melon vines so they grow upright. When they reach 10-13 leaves, carry out artificial pollination. After fruit set, keep one good melon, remove side branches and tendrils above it, and when they reach 27-30 leaves, remove the growing tip. Disinfect the greenhouse once every half month.

The investment in this technology is only about 8 yuan per square meter, equivalent to one-fifth of that in Australia, a world agricultural leader, and no chemical fertilizer or pesticide is applied, so it belongs to green food. This technology can also be used for the production of flowers, vegetables, and so on.