A Complete Guide to Greenhouse Watermelon Planting Techniques and Management Methods
Sowing: The seedling age for winter seedling raising is about 30 days. Seedlings are raised using a greenhouse + small tunnel + plastic film setup, and sowing can be arranged to begin around November, with transplanting in mid-to-late December. Seedling stage management: Water and fertilize according to growth changes, and control pests and diseases. Harvesting: According to different varieties, record the harvest time and arrange for the market.
A Complete Guide to Greenhouse Watermelon Planting Techniques
1. Variety Selection
According to market demand, select excellent hybrid varieties with early maturity, high yield, strong resistance and good quality, such as “Zaojia 84-24” and “Taiwan Xiaolan”.
2. Sowing Period
Generally, the seedling age for winter seedling raising is about 30 days. Seedlings are raised using a greenhouse + small tunnel + plastic film setup, sown in mid-to-late November, transplanted in mid-to-late December, and can reach the market in early April.
3. Seed Treatment
Before sowing, choose clear weather to sun the seeds for one day to improve germination vigor. Seed soaking: first soak in warm water at 55°C for 15—30 minutes, stirring while soaking, then soak in room-temperature water for 2—4 hours. Sowing: One week before sowing, cover the seedling shed with film to keep it warm, arrange the seedling nutrient bags, and two days before sowing water the nutrient soil thoroughly once to provide bottom water. Once the soil temperature is controlled above 25°C, sowing can begin.
4. Seedling Stage Management
Before emergence, the seedbed should be kept moist. From emergence until the first true leaf unfolds, water as little as possible; afterward, water appropriately according to the moisture condition of the nutrient soil. Do not water if the soil has not turned white; when watering, water thoroughly. Watering should preferably be done at noon with water of the same temperature. Stop watering 5—7 days before transplanting. The main seedling stage diseases are damping-off, Rhizoctonia rot and root rot. For every square meter, mix 10 grams of 70% Dexon powder with 10 kg of fine soil and spread it evenly on the bed surface, or spray with 72.2% Previcur 400 times solution to control damping-off; use 5% Jinggangmycin aqueous solution 1500 times, or 10% Likuiling aqueous solution 300 times, or 15% Hymexazol aqueous solution 450 times to control Rhizoctonia rot and root rot. Spray once with 50% carbendazim 600 times solution before transplanting and carry the pesticide into the field.
5. Harvest in time.
Depending on the maturity of different varieties, calculate the number of days after pollination based on the fruit-setting marker. Once the number of days after fruit setting is reached, maturity can be accurately judged and the fruit harvested in time.