Detailed Guide to Planting Methods and Techniques for Winter Squash

Winter squash, also known as Chinese pumpkin, fan melon, wo melon, rice melon, etc. Many people are planting novices now, so do you know how to grow winter squash? Let's take a look!

How to grow winter squash

1. Land preparation and fertilization: The root system of pumpkin is very developed, so its ability to absorb fertilizer is strong, and it requires deep plowing. The pumpkin planting plot should be chosen in a place with good drainage and irrigation conditions. Plow once fifteen days before planting, and mix in 3000-4000 kilograms of decomposed organic fertilizer per mu.

2. Seedling raising: Before sowing, the seeds should be fully dried in the sun, then soaked in warm water at 55 degrees Celsius. The most suitable temperature for emergence is generally 25~30 degrees Celsius. In good weather, seedlings will emerge in two or three days.

3. Planting: If cultivating in open fields, plant when the pumpkin seedlings have grown two to three true leaves and there is no danger of frost. Generally, planting is done on a sunny afternoon. Before planting, note that the nutrient pot seedlings should be watered thoroughly, which can improve the survival rate.

4. Pruning: Seven to ten days after planting, when the pumpkin secondary vines grow to about 30cm, keep two robust secondary vines and cut off all the rest. Note that the two retained secondary vines should be arranged in the same direction to avoid crossing and overlapping.

5. Pollination and fruit setting: Generally speaking, it is best to have both secondary vines set fruit at the same time. Pumpkin female and male flowers generally bloom at four in the morning on sunny days, and are not easy to fertilize after nine o'clock. When cultivating in open fields, if rainy weather occurs, the female flower corolla that will bloom can be bagged on the morning of the previous day.

6. Fertilizer and water management: Pumpkin has a strong ability to absorb fertilizer, but in the early stage, base fertilizer should not be applied too much, especially nitrogen fertilizer, otherwise it will affect fruit setting. Topdressing is generally carried out in two applications, the first after pruning begins, and the second after fruit setting.

7. Harvesting: When the harvest period arrives, if picking tender squash, it is within ten to fifteen days after flowering; mature squash is harvested within forty days after flowering. It is recommended to pick the first batch of tender squash early for market, and harvest the second batch after they are mature, placing them in a ventilated place, where they can be stored for about 3 months before going to market.