A Detailed Guide to Pepino Melon Planting Techniques and Precautions

Many people have heard some introduction to the pepino melon in Journey to the West, and greatly yearn for its miraculous effects. As the planting area of pepino melon expands, more and more people are able to eat pepino melon. What are the pepino melon planting techniques and precautions?

1. Pepino Melon Planting Techniques

1. Land Preparation and Site Selection

Pepino melon planting does not have high soil requirements, and most soils in the country are suitable for cultivating pepino melon. Pepino melon grown in fertile, loose, slightly acidic soil is of higher quality. For pepino melon planting, the site is best chosen where drainage and irrigation are convenient, near a water source, and with sufficient sunlight. Level the land and dig trenches evenly, with the field bed width at about 7 cm and height at about 10 cm. For the seedlings, choose strong seedlings that have not developed disease for planting out.

2. Daily Management

(1) Light: Pepino melon likes a sunny environment and needs a relatively long period of light. Especially during the fruit ripening stage, insufficient light will affect the fruit.

(2) Temperature: Pepino melon likes warmth but is not tolerant of high temperatures. It can grow and develop normally between 10 and 35 degrees, and the most suitable temperature for growth is 15 to 18 degrees.

(3) Watering: Water pepino melon once after planting out. Before flowering, there is no need to water if there is no drought. During the fruiting period and harvest period, more watering is needed, once every 7 to 12 days. Choose a clear morning to water, and drain excess moisture promptly after watering.

(4) Fertilizing: In addition to sufficient base fertilizer, pepino melon also needs two topdressings. One is when the seedlings grow to about 30 cm, and the other is before the seedlings flower. Mainly use nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium compound fertilizer, applying once every ten days, and apply more fertilizer after flowering.

3. Pest and Disease Control

Common diseases and pests of pepino melon include phytophthora and gray mold, and the main pests include aphids and red spider mites. If diseases or pests are found, apply the appropriate treatment promptly.

4. Harvesting

Pepino melon can be harvested when the fruit shows clear purple stripes, or when it has no stripes but the peel is bright and smooth. Pepino melon can be stored for 40 to 60 days at room temperature.

2. Planting Precautions

1. The growing temperature for pepino melon must not be too high or too low. If the temperature is above 38 degrees, sunburn will occur, and if the temperature is below 0 degrees, it will freeze to death.

2. Pepino melon is very afraid of waterlogging. If it is the rainy season, special attention must be paid to drainage to avoid root rot.

3. Pepino melon is very sensitive to omethoate or dichlorvos, and these must be prohibited.

4. Pepino melon needs timely pruning of side buds, otherwise flowering and fruiting will be affected. The main branch should be properly retained, and all other side buds should be cut off.

5. Pepino melon needs attention to ventilation and air exchange, and humidity should be reduced promptly.

Pepino melon planting is relatively simple, and it can generally be marketed around New Year's Day, when it is the off-season for vegetables and fruits, making it very suitable for sales, and the selling price is also relatively high.