Zucchini Planting Time and Efficient Field Management Techniques
Zucchini is an annual vining herbaceous plant, called fugua in some parts of our country. Zucchini is rich in vitamin C, glucose and various other nutrients, and its calcium content is especially high. So when is zucchini generally planted? Attached efficient field management techniques!
I. Zucchini Planting Time
Zucchini is a vegetable that is relatively cold-tolerant and not tolerant of high temperatures, so it can be sown in spring or autumn. Its suitable growing temperature is 20-25°C, so spring sowing is in early May and autumn sowing is in early September. Sowing too early or too late leads to more serious pest and disease occurrence and is not conducive to germination and seedling emergence.
II. Zucchini Field Management Techniques
1. Water and Fertilizer Management
Zucchini is suited to growing in moist plots, so during cultivation sufficient water must be ensured. First, about one week after zucchini transplanting, the seedling-setting water should be watered well, and this should be done together with topdressing. The fertilizer is mainly urea or farmyard manure. Before fruit setting, water application should be controlled to promote root development and improve the rate of stable fruit setting. After the first fruit has set, topdress again, mainly with quick-acting nitrogen fertilizer, keeping the amount at about 15kg per mu to ensure subsequent fruit setting. When zucchini enters the vigorous growth period, it needs watering once a week and topdressing about once every three weeks.
2. Temperature Control
Zucchini is not strongly cold-tolerant. When temperatures are too low, attention must be paid to keeping warm and raising the temperature to prevent frost damage to zucchini. Usually, before the seedlings have recovered, the indoor area should be kept closed, with the temperature controlled at around 28°C, and the nighttime temperature should also be kept at around 14°C. If sudden weather changes cause the temperature to drop abruptly, straw should be covered in time for insulation. After the seedlings have successfully recovered, field ventilation should be strengthened and the temperature appropriately lowered, with daytime temperatures controlled at around 22°C and leaf-area temperature at around 12°C.
3. Artificial Pollination
The natural pollination and flowering rate of zucchini is relatively low, so artificial pollination should be carried out at the early flowering stage of zucchini to improve the pollination and fruit-setting rate. On the morning of the day the second flower opens, pick the male flower, remove the corolla to expose the stamen, then apply the stamen to the stigma. Normally one male flower can pollinate about 5 female flowers. Then use a brush dipped in ethephon solution to smear the flower stalk of the female flower. When carrying out artificial pollination, attention should be paid to proper flower and fruit thinning. No more than one fruit should be kept in a leaf axil, and excess fruits should be removed in time.
4. Timely Leaf Removal
As zucchini grows, the plant's leaves become more and more lush. If leaves are not removed in time, it easily leads to field closure, reduced air and light penetration, increased humidity, and a greater chance of pests and diseases. Therefore, timely leaf removal is very important. We should decide according to the growth condition of the zucchini: plants with vigorous growth and abundant branches and leaves should have more leaves removed, while the opposite should have fewer removed. The main purpose is to ensure sufficient air and light penetration in the field, and attention should be paid to the method of leaf removal. As much as possible, remove only the leaf blade and do not move the petiole, to avoid wounds on the petiole and plant. If the stem is injured, it is difficult to heal. Pay attention to the weather when removing leaves; it is best to have consecutive sunny days, which can ensure wound healing and prevent pests and diseases.
The above is Tuliu.com's introduction to zucchini planting time, planting methods and efficient field management techniques. Farmers who grow zucchini can use this article as a reference.