Can pumpkin seeds be planted directly? Autumn pumpkin planting methods require care

Pumpkin is warm in nature and sweet in taste, entering the spleen and stomach meridians; it can moisten the lungs and boost qi, resolve phlegm and expel pus, expel parasites and detoxify, and treat coughs, asthma, lung abscess, constipation and other conditions. Therefore it is deeply loved by consumers, and the planting area has expanded year by year. So how are pumpkin seeds planted? Can they be planted directly? What points should be noted when planting autumn pumpkins?

1. How are pumpkin seeds planted? Can they be planted directly?

Pumpkin seeds must undergo seed soaking treatment before planting to be conducive to germination.

The specific sowing method is:

Soak the seeds in hot water at 55 to 60°C for 15 minutes to kill bacteria on the seed coat surface, then pour in cold water to cool down to 30°C, and soak for another 4 to 6 hours. After taking them out, wrap them in wet gauze or a towel and place them at 25 to 30°C to sprout until they reach about 0.3 cm, and then they can be sown.

Dig holes at a plant spacing of 50 cm, digging one ridge and leaving one ridge empty, so that the plant-to-row spacing is 50×120 cm, which is good for ventilation, light penetration and disease prevention.

First water inside the holes; after the water seeps in, place 2 seeds flat in each hole with the sprouts facing downward, cover with 2 to 3 cm of fine soil, and if conditions allow, cover with plastic film. In fact, when planting pumpkins the row spacing is large, so not much film is used, with an input of only about 10-plus yuan per mu. But when covering with film, clods of soil must be broken up so that the film clings tightly to the ridge surface, is stretched tight on all sides, and is pressed into the soil; otherwise the effect of the film will not be obvious. Generally no watering is needed during the seedling stage. When the seedlings grow to 3 true leaves, select the robust large seedlings with intact cotyledons, keep one plant per hole, and cut off the rest at ground level.

2. What points should be noted when planting autumn pumpkins?

1. Choose varieties

Choose excellent varieties. And mix the seeds with New High-Fat Film (can be mixed with seed coating agents), which can repel underground pests and diseases, isolate viral infection, not affect the germination and imbibition function, strengthen respiration intensity, and increase the seed germination rate.

2. Sowing and raising seedlings

Autumn pumpkins are best sown from mid-July to early August. For raising seedlings, it is best to use nutrient pots, cover the radicle facing downward with 1-1.5 cm of fine soil, and then cover with a layer of straw or weeds.

3. Land preparation and transplanting

Before plowing, apply decomposed farmyard manure, potassium sulfate compound fertilizer, and potassium sulfate, then plow deeply and harrow finely. Transplanting should preferably be done after 5 p.m. or on cloudy days. After transplanting or direct sowing, water once thoroughly, and spray with New High-Fat Film, which can effectively prevent aboveground moisture from evaporating and seedling moisture from transpiring, isolate pests and diseases, shorten the seedling recovery period, and help them quickly adapt to the new environment and grow healthily.

4. Field management

When pumpkins grow 3-4 true leaves, spray Flower Promoter No. 3 to inhibit excessive growth of the main shoot, promote flower bud differentiation, produce more flowers, improve pollen fertilization quality, produce more flowers and set more fruit, prevent fruit drop, and promote development. Also, during the young fruit stage and fruit enlargement stage, spray Zhuang Gua Di Ling to strengthen the targeted nutrient supply, promote rapid fruit development, and ensure no flower drop, no fruit drop, no cracked fruit, and no deformed fruit during the growth cycle. At the same time, New High-Fat Film must be sprayed to form a protective film, prevent pathogen invasion, and improve pumpkin quality.

Overall, the current average purchase price of pumpkins is between 0.6 yuan/jin and 0.8 yuan/jin, and at peak prices it can reach 1.2-1.5 yuan/jin. Growers should control the input cost per mu to 1500-1800 yuan as much as possible. If the yield reaches 4000 jin, a purchase price of 0.5-0.6 yuan will not mean a loss, and a yield of 6000 jin per mu will ensure a solid profit.