Latest Greenhouse Melon Post-Fruit-Set Management Techniques and Methods Tutorial
When growing melons, greenhouse cultivation can achieve high yield and high quality, making it the preferred choice for many fruit growers, and the management of greenhouse melons after fruit set is extremely important, directly affecting yield and quality. So how should greenhouse melons be managed after fruit set? Follow the editor to take a look.
1. Temperature management
During the fruit enlargement stage, temperature should be appropriately increased to widen the day-night temperature difference, controlling the greenhouse daytime temperature between 28-30 degrees and nighttime between 18-20 degrees. Generally, when the nighttime temperature stabilizes above 10 degrees, that is, at the end of March or early April, the inner greenhouse cover should be removed. When the temperature is slightly lower, the greenhouse can be closed gradually at 4 p.m., closing the upper vent first, and when the outside temperature is higher, gradually postpone closing until around 5 o'clock or later. Doing this can widen the day-night temperature difference as much as possible, promote sugar accumulation in the fruit, and improve fruit quality.
2. Fertilization
Fertilizer and water management during the melon enlargement stage is extremely important, requiring multiple topdressings. Generally, after fruit set, when the young fruit grows to the size of an egg, fruit thinning should be carried out promptly, followed by the first fertilization. For plants with weaker growth, a second topdressing is generally applied 10 days after the first fertilization. The first fertilization should have a higher nitrogen content, and the second topdressing should have a higher potassium content. Generally, 10-15 kg of ternary compound fertilizer is applied per mu, while water-soluble high-potassium fertilizer or water-flush fertilizer should be used according to the amount stated on the packaging. Fertilization can be done by furrow irrigation or drip irrigation. Furrow irrigation generally involves releasing water section by section from long to short, generally filling the furrow with fertilizer water until it seeps into the bed surface; drip irrigation involves dissolving the fertilizer and applying it through the drip tube. Generally speaking, drip irrigation is superior to furrow irrigation. After furrow irrigation, attention should be paid to ventilation to avoid excessive air humidity causing diseases.
3. Reasonable fruit retention
The second batch of fruit set generally occurs 20-25 days after the first batch of fruit set. At this time, the number of fruits to retain should be decided based on the growth vigor of the vine. Generally, 2 fruits can be retained per plant for vigorous growth, while for weak growth it is recommended to retain 1 fruit. This can promote or advance the fruit set of the third batch of melons and prevent premature aging of the plant.
4. Harvesting
The harvest standard for melons is when the sugar content reaches its highest point but the flesh has not yet softened. When harvesting, consideration should also be given to whether different varieties have fully expressed the characteristic features of that variety, and the decision should be made according to the actual degree of maturity. For convenience of harvesting, pollination time can be used as a marker, or the color change of leaves after fruit set can be observed. When the leaves turn yellow and scorched, choose to harvest in the morning when the temperature is below 20 degrees and there is no dew on the surface of the melon.
The above is an introduction to post-fruit-set management techniques for greenhouse melons. We hope it can help you. To learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.