Detailed Introduction to Watermelon Trellis Cultivation Techniques
Watermelon cultivation, besides market conditions and quality, yield is also an important factor affecting returns. Trellis cultivation techniques are precisely a good method to boost production, so let's learn about them below.
Introduction to Watermelon Trellis Cultivation Techniques
1. Erecting the frame
A vertical frame is used to support the vines; the frame material can be thin bamboo poles 2-2.5 m long (about 1.5 cm in diameter), or hanging strings can be used to suspend the vines. The best time to build the frame is 25 days after transplanting, when the vines have grown to 30-40 cm.
2. Building the frame
When building the frame, the frame material should be cut to the required length and its surface disinfected before use. When inserting the poles, two bamboo poles can be inserted per plant, on both sides of the plant in the same row as the watermelon, at a distance of more than 10 cm from the roots. The bamboo poles must be inserted firmly and straight, and each row should form a straight line. After all the vertical poles are inserted, two horizontal poles are tied to the vertical poles.
3. Training and tying the vines
After the frame is built, vine training and tying can begin. When the vines are about 40 cm long, the ground-creeping vines can be trained onto the bamboo frame. When training the vines, polypropylene tape can be used to tie each vine to each vertical pole.
4. Points to note
Vine tying and pruning can be carried out together at the same time. When using the hanging-vine method, first stretch a No. 8 iron wire running north-south along each row at the top of the greenhouse, and fix it to the greenhouse arch poles with No. 14 iron wire at intervals of about 3 m. Then hang 2-3 thin hemp ropes or polypropylene tapes (depending on the number of vines retained) above each watermelon plant, hanging down to the ground. When the main vine grows to about 40 cm, in combination with pruning and retaining vines, tie the hanging strings to the base of each vine. As the vines grow, let them continuously twine around the hanging strings, and every 40-50 cm tie another loop with thin string to prevent the vines from slipping down.
When hanging watermelon vines, pay attention to adjusting the plants; after tying the vines, loosen them promptly, and once the watermelons have swollen to a certain size, it is best to hang them up.