Detailed Explanation of Winter Melon Fertilization Methods and Precautions

Winter melon is a very common vegetable, grown throughout China. Besides being used as a vegetable, its rind and seeds can be used medicinally. In the process of growing winter melon, the fertilization method is very important. Below, let us introduce the winter melon fertilization methods and what precautions there are.

I. Winter Melon Fertilization Methods

1. Winter melon needs base fertilizer

Winter melon has a relatively long growth cycle and larger fruit, which requires that the fertilizer applied be mainly organic fertilizer, supplemented by chemical fertilizer. This is because organic fertilizer can provide a large amount of nutrients to the growing winter melon, ensuring the nutrients needed at each stage of winter melon growth. Generally, per mu of winter melon, 2500-3000 kg of barnyard manure and 2500-4000 kg of compost can be applied as base fertilizer, or 500-750 kg of decomposed human feces, 750-1000 kg of decomposed pig and cattle manure, 50-75 kg of superphosphate or calcium magnesium phosphate fertilizer, and 50-100 loads of soil and miscellaneous fertilizer. If conditions permit, vegetable farmers can mix 40-75 kg of cake fertilizer into the base fertilizer.

2. Apply appropriate amounts of topdressing

Winter melon topdressing generally follows the fertilization method of “light first and heavy later, thin first and concentrated later.” In the early stage of winter melon growth, it is only necessary to apply dilute manure water two to three times. When the winter melon vine grows to about 80 cm, dilute manure water can be applied about once every 4 days. After the winter melon sets fruit, the frequency of manure application can be appropriately increased, and the concentration of the manure water also needs to be increased to ensure sufficient nutrients. When the winter melon weighs about 18 jin, irrigation techniques should be used to play a drought-resistant role, and some thin human urine and pig urine should also be added during fertilization.

3. Heavily apply fruit-strengthening fertilizer

When young fruit has just formed on the winter melon vine, spraying Zhuangguadiling can begin, which can make the fruit stalk grow firm and thick, strengthen nutrient transport, and promote accelerated growth of the winter melon fruit. When the fruit grows to about 3 kg, attention should be paid to the management of fertilizer and water. Under normal circumstances, the soil of the melon field should be kept moist, and after heavy rain, accumulated water should be drained in time.

II. Precautions for Winter Melon Fertilization

1. Do not apply nitrogen fertilizer alone

Many melon farmers attach great importance to the use of fertilizer for winter melon, often applying nitrogen fertilizers such as manure water, ammonium sulfate, and urea intensively starting from the seedling stage of winter melon, and even continuing without interruption in the later growth stage of winter melon. This is very likely to induce the occurrence of winter melon rot disease, causing large-scale withering of winter melon.

2. Fertilize according to weather conditions

Fertilizing winter melon is generally chosen when the weather is clear, as this can maximize the effect of the fertilizer. Take special care not to apply topdressing before or after heavy rain, as not only will the fertilizer fail to produce its proper effect, but it will also increase the chance of disease occurrence.

Growing winter melon is a skill. To achieve high yields of winter melon, it is necessary to understand its habits and master the fertilization methods and precautions, so that winter melon can be grown correctly.