What are the key management points after grafting melons?
Melons can be planted directly by sowing, but in recent years, continuous cropping has caused soil-borne diseases to become increasingly serious, severely affecting melon yield and quality. To solve the harm caused by continuous cropping, many fruit growers have begun to use grafting technology for cultivation, and many farmers pay no attention after grafting, which is a wrong practice. So how should melons be managed after grafting? Let's learn about it together with the editor.
1. Regulate temperature
Within 1-3 days after melon grafting, the indoor temperature must be strictly controlled, with the daytime temperature controlled between 23-25 degrees and the nighttime temperature controlled between 20-22 degrees. One week after grafting, control the daytime temperature between 23-24 degrees and the nighttime temperature between 15-18 degrees. This is beneficial for the healing of the grafted seedling wounds and for the seedlings to resume growth as soon as possible after surviving. To create a microclimate favorable for the growth of grafted seedlings, a small plastic arch shed can be added over the seedbed, uncovered during the day and covered at night, to preserve heat and control temperature.
2. Control humidity
Before grafting, the seedling bed should be watered thoroughly to increase soil and air humidity, which is beneficial for the survival of grafted seedlings. Two to three days after grafting, seal the greenhouse so that the air humidity inside remains between 90%-100%, which is beneficial for the healing of the grafted wounds. Afterward, gradually increase the ventilation volume and ventilation time inside and outside the greenhouse, and return to normal management after one week.
3. Prevent strong light
To prevent grafted seedlings from wilting, shade the grafted seedlings within 3 days after grafting and avoid direct sunlight. Therefore, within 3 days after grafting, the straw mats need to be completely lowered and tightly covered. After 3 days, uncover every other straw mat to receive light. As time goes on, gradually increase the number of straw mats uncovered. After 10 days, remove all the straw mats and enter normal management. In addition, note that the shading time should not be too long, to avoid making the grafted seedlings thin, weak, and spindly.
4. Prevent and control diseases
Grafted melon seedlings, because they themselves have wounds and are also in a high-temperature and high-humidity environment, are very prone to infection by diseases. Therefore, during the wound healing process, combine watering the seedbed with spraying chlorothalonil pesticide. This can effectively prevent and control the occurrence of damping-off and root rot during the melon seedling stage.
The above is an introduction to the key management points after melon grafting. We hope it can help you. To learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.