A Complete Guide to the Latest Planting Methods for Pepino Melon
Pepino melon, also known as South American pepino melon, ginseng fruit, longevity fruit, and so on, is a perennial herbaceous vegetable, fruit-type ornamental plant. It often also has anti-cancer and anti-aging effects, and is deeply loved by people. So how should pepino melon be planted? Let's take a look.
1. Site selection
Pepino melon has strong adaptability to soil. According to practice, pepino melon planted in loose, fertile, slightly acidic soil all grows well and yields high. Therefore, the planting site should be chosen in a place with convenient transportation, sufficient water sources, no pollution sources, relatively high terrain, good ventilation and light transmission, and convenient drainage and irrigation. It is advisable to choose soil with high organic matter content, deep soil layer, loose and fertile, and slightly acidic, with a suitable pH value between 6-7. Before planting, deep plowing should be carried out, which can not only eliminate pathogens and insect eggs in the soil, but also loosen the soil, increase the soil's water storage and fertilizer retention capacity, and improve fertility. After deep plowing, the field should be finely and evenly leveled to help preserve soil moisture, and then trenches should be opened to make beds.
2. Sowing
Pepino melon seeds are relatively small. When the sowing amount is not large, pot sowing or plug tray seedling raising can be used; when the sowing amount is large, seedbed sowing is required. Before sowing, select seeds with good color, uniform size, plump grains, and no mold. First soak the seeds to promote germination, then broadcast them, and cover with fine sand after sowing. If conditions permit, a greenhouse can be used for seedling raising. After sowing, control the temperature between 15-30 degrees, and seedlings generally emerge in 7-10 days.
3. Transplanting
When the seedlings grow to about 15 cm, they can be transplanted. First, water the seedbed thoroughly before lifting the seedlings. Use a small shovel along the soil layer below each row of seedlings and carefully lift the seedlings out, trying to keep the root system undamaged. Never pull the seedlings by hand. Before transplanting, first open trenches or dig holes according to the row and plant spacing. Water in the transplanting holes or trenches first. When the water seeps down, place the seedlings in the trenches or holes, and cover with soil after the water has completely seeped down. The soil should not be covered too deeply or too shallowly, generally keeping more than 3 nodes of the seedling above ground, and ensuring that the root system spreads out and is closely connected with the soil to improve the survival rate.
4. Field management
During the growth process, stiff seedlings and weak seedlings may form due to pests, diseases, and other factors. At this time, these inferior plants should be dug out in time, and healthy and strong seedlings should be replanted, followed by applying quick-acting fertilizer to promote their growth and development. After transplanting and survival, when the plants grow vigorously, pinching can be carried out to promote the sprouting of side branches. The stems of pepino melon are relatively soft and prone to lodging, so before flowering and fruit setting, bamboo poles should be used to build cross-shaped or arch-shaped, rectangular or three-dimensional rectangular trellises, and then the pepino melon should be tied to the trellis. During the tying process, be careful and gentle, and make the tightness appropriate to prevent damage to stems, leaves, and fruits. After the pepino melon sets fruit, thin flowers and fruits according to the growth condition, so that the fruits are evenly distributed and uniform in size. Diseased fruits and deformed fruits should be removed in time.
The above is an introduction to the planting methods of pepino melon. We hope it can help you. If you want to learn more related knowledge, please follow us.