Latest Management Techniques for Watermelon During the Flowering and Fruiting Period
Watermelon cultivation management requires constant maintenance, but the focus of management is also the key period of growth and development, which is the flowering and fruiting period. Flowering requires thinning and preserving flowers, selecting and keeping flowers; fruiting requires selecting and keeping fruits to ensure the fruit-setting rate, and then there is also the need to take care of fertilizer and water management. In addition, it is about trying to ensure a good growing environment, so today I will talk to you about the management content for watermelons during the flowering and fruiting period.
1. Flower and fruit thinning
After flowering, flower selection and thinning should begin on the main fruiting side branches on the main vine. Generally, 6 to 8 flowers are kept on strong side branches, and the rest are removed. The flowers kept should be well developed and free from pests and diseases. Then on slightly weaker side branches, 5 to 6 high-quality flowers are kept, and on even weaker ones, 3 flowers should still be kept, while the remaining side branches can be removed. Generally, 7 to 8 side branches are kept. On the side branches, 5 to 6 sub-branches can also be kept per branch, with about 5 flowers kept on each sub-branch. The others are thinned out. Half a month after fruit set, observe the fruiting situation. Keep more fruits on strong and suitable vines, about 3 to 4, keep 2 on weak ones, and on even weaker ones keep no fruit and let them develop as vegetative branches.
2. Controlling fertilizer and water
During the flowering period of watermelon, do not water or water less. Watering easily causes physiological flower drop, but drought also causes flower drop. As long as there is no drought, watering a little less is enough for flowering. Half a month before flowering, flower-promoting fertilizer can be used. To ensure fertilizer supply throughout the flowering period, apply about 400 jin of farmyard manure per mu, and after flowers appear, 0.2% boric acid can also be sprayed to preserve flowers. After fruiting, apply a quick-acting compound fertilizer once, generally at 90 jin per application, and during the fruiting period it can be used 3 to 4 times, providing nutrients to each batch of fruits in stages to preserve the fruits. Irrigation during the fruiting period should be done in the evening, about once every half a month. Water thoroughly each time to ensure alternating dry and wet conditions.
3. Light and temperature
For watermelon to accumulate sugar, it needs sufficient light, and then a large day-night temperature difference is needed to produce and store a large amount of sugar. Generally, strong summer light can satisfy growth, but protected cultivation is best, because light can be artificially adjusted and extended, and temperature can also be regulated. The internal temperature can be raised during the day, as long as it is within the temperature range suitable for watermelon, and then ventilate at night so that the temperature is the same as outside. This maximizes the day-night temperature difference.
4. Intertillage and weeding
Spray herbicide before planting. Then if grass grows during the seedling stage, pull it out by hand to avoid competition for nutrients. Next, weeds between rows will grow vigorously during high-temperature periods after rain. At this time, the soil can be intertilled to hoe up the weeds and turn them into the soil as green manure. When maturity is approaching, some weeds are about to shed seeds, so before that they should all be killed by spraying. Do not pull weeds by hand, to avoid shedding seeds and having them continue to grow next year.
The flowering and fruiting period of watermelon cultivation is an important management period. Much work must be done to maintain flowering, growth, and fruiting, and keeping flowers and fruits is the main task. The flowering period and fruiting period mainly occur during the period entering summer, so attention must be paid to watermelon's requirements for temperature and light, regulation, and the concentrated supply of nutrients to high-quality flowers and fruits.