A Detailed Guide to the Cultivation Methods and Key Technical Points of the Horned Melon

Horned melon is cultivated by sowing and grafted seedling propagation. First, select a variety of good quality, then sow in early November and begin grafted seedling propagation in January of the following year. After the seedlings are ready, transplant them into a plot that has been prepared and fertilized in advance. When the young plants grow to about 10 cm, water them once, which can be done together with fertilizing. Finally, just carry out good field management.

Notes on the cultivation and management of horned melon:

1. Land preparation and fertilizing

Before planting, the land needs to be prepared first and enough base fertilizer applied. Generally, 3000 kg of farmyard manure is needed per mu, and cultivation is done on raised ridges. Generally, about 1800 melon seedlings are planted per mu, and transplanting is done on a sunny day.

2. Water and fertilizer management

After planting horned melon, pay attention to controlling water and fertilizer, and cover with film at night. During the growing period, pay attention to timely replenishing nutrients. During the peak fruiting period, apply 5 kg of potassium nitrate compound fertilizer per mu by flushing, water once every 5-7 days, with 8-9 m3 of water per mu each time, and stop watering and topdressing 7-10 days before harvest.

3. Vine management

When the main vine grows to 30 cm, hang the vines; when there are about 22 leaves, pinch off the growing tip; starting from the 16th-19th leaf, select and keep secondary vines as fruiting vines; after fruit set, keep 1 leaf and pinch off the growing tip; keep 3 melons per plant; remove all secondary vines below the 16th leaf; starting from the secondary vine at the 20th leaf, select and keep second-crop melons, keeping 3 melons per plant.

After the second crop of melons is harvested, pull up every other plant, leaving about 1100 plants per mu. Leave 2-3 secondary vines at the top of the remaining plants, pinch off the growing tip at 80 cm, and let the tertiary vines bear melons freely.

4. Pest and disease control

Promptly remove diseased leaves and diseased fruits, pull up diseased plants, and take them out of the field for deep burial or destruction to reduce the spread of pests and diseases. Strengthen pest and disease forecasting, and seize the early stage of pest and disease occurrence to apply the right pesticides.

Horned melon is an early-to-mid-maturing vegetable, rich in protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and so on, and it can be eaten in moderation by all groups of people.