How to grow seedlings of seedless watermelon? Practical experience shared

Seedbed establishment The seedbed land must be chosen in a place that is sheltered from the wind, facing the sun, high in terrain, and close to a water source, for ease of management. The seedbed is 2.5 m wide and 0.15 m deep, and the length is determined as needed. When establishing the seedbed, care should be taken to make its bottom as flat as possible. Before making the pots, spread a layer of sandy soil on the bottom of the seedbed to facilitate lifting the seedlings.

Preparation of nutrient soil Mix 0.5 cubic meters of organic fertilizer and 3~6 kg of plant ash into each cubic meter of soil, and preferably also mix in an appropriate amount of carbendazim. After the nutrient soil is prepared, carry out nutrient pot seedling raising.

Seed treatment Take warm water at 55°C~60°C, put the seeds in, and stir for about 15 minutes. After scalding the seeds, take them out, soak them in cool water for 4~6 hours, then rinse the seeds clean and rub off the moisture and mucus on the seed surface to increase the germination rate.

Germination promotion Before germination promotion, gently crack the seeds open, preferably until they split. Rinse your mouth before cracking the seeds (pollinator varieties do not need seed cracking). After the seeds are cracked open, place them at 28°C~35°C. After 24 hours, most of the seeds will germinate. When the sprouts grow to about 0.5 cm, they can be sown. During germination promotion, keep the temperature as constant as possible; for example, warming the sprouts against the body gives a better effect.

Sowing The sowing time is generally from late March to early to mid-April. The method is: place the seeds flat, one per pot, and after sowing cover with 1.5 cm of fine soil. In addition, wheat bran mixed with a small amount of trichlorfon can also be spread in the seedbed to trap and kill pests.

Seedbed management After covering with soil, promptly build a frame and cover with plastic film, then press the edges of the film firmly with wet soil to increase ground temperature and speed up emergence. After emergence, if it is a sunny day with high temperature, attention should be paid to ventilation. The ventilation time should be chosen between about 10 a.m. and 3~4 p.m. on sunny days. On cloudy and rainy days or when the temperature is relatively low, ventilate less or not at all. The seedling age of seedless watermelon is generally about 30 days. During this period, the humidity of the seedbed should be strictly controlled. As long as the bottom water is sufficient, watering may be omitted. If water deficiency occurs, it is best to water thoroughly at one time. On the afternoon of the day before transplanting, water thoroughly once to facilitate transplanting and field planting.