The Latest Technical Method Tutorial for Watermelon Pruning and Vine Pressing

Watermelon pruning and vine pressing are essential tasks in the process of growing watermelons, and they are crucial to the growth and fruiting of watermelons. Many people do not know what effect pruning and vine pressing have? How exactly should it be done? What points need attention? Let's learn about it together with the editor below.

1. The role of pruning and vine pressing

Watermelons tend to branch easily. If they are allowed to grow freely, they will have many side branches, which will consume a large amount of nutrients and seriously affect the growth of the watermelon, causing poor fruit set, slower growth, smaller size, later market availability, poorer quality, and other adverse consequences. Therefore, measures such as pruning and vine pressing are used during cultivation to adjust this. Moreover, pruning and vine pressing can not only control excessive vegetative growth of the plant and make the distribution of leaves and vines reasonable, but also improve ventilation and light conditions in the near-ground space and reduce the occurrence of pests and diseases.

2. Pruning methods

Pruning is generally divided into four types: single vine, double vine, three vine, and multi-vine. Different methods are used at different times and for different varieties. For example, in early-maturing cultivation in the north where the growing period is short, single-vine pruning is mostly used. When the main vine is about 50 cm long, the main vine is retained and all side vines are removed, which is suitable for early-maturing varieties. In both the south and the north, double-vine pruning is commonly used in cultivation. The method is that, in addition to the main vine, 1 side vine is selected and retained at the base to grow parallel to the main vine, and all other side vines are removed. Three-vine pruning is a commonly used pruning method for mid- and late-maturing varieties in open-field cultivation. The method is that, in addition to the main vine, 2 side vines are selected and retained at the base to grow parallel to the main vine, and all other side vines are removed. Multi-vine pruning is suitable for varieties with strong growth vigor and for sparse planting. The main vine is topped, and after the side branches are formed, 4—5 side vines are selected and retained to grow parallel around or on both sides, using the side vines to bear fruit.

3. Vine pressing

Watermelon vine pressing can prevent damage to vines and fruit from being swayed by strong winds, and it also helps fruit set and induces adventitious root growth. It can fully utilize nutrients in the idle soil of the watermelon field and increase the range of fertilizer and water absorption, thereby increasing yield. Vine pressing is generally done in three sections: press the first section when the main vine is 40 cm, the second section at 100 cm, and the third section at 150 cm. When pressing the vines, press the vines straight and arrange them evenly. When the fruit is swelling, vine pressing should be stopped. Generally, vines are pressed 4-5 times throughout the whole growth period.

4. Points to note

In the morning there is more moisture and the watermelon vines are more brittle, so it is not suitable to press the vines; it should be done after noon. When pressing the vines, the main and side vines break easily. During vine pressing, both the main and side vines must be pressed, and the watermelon vines should be pulled tight to facilitate smooth nutrient transport, and note that pressing should be heavier before the fruit and lighter after the fruit. Vine pressing is divided into open pressing and buried pressing. Open pressing refers to fixing the vines to a certain position on the ground with soil clods or branches, generally pressing at one spot every 20-30 cm. Buried pressing refers to digging a deep trench in the ground, placing the watermelon vines inside, and then filling it with soil and pressing it firm. Be careful not to press the leaves into the trench. In areas with a lot of rain, open pressing is better.

The above is an introduction to watermelon pruning and vine pressing techniques. We hope it can help you. If you want to learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.