How to Fertilize Melons? Detailed Explanation of the Latest Technical Points

Melon, also known as muskmelon, Hami melon, honeydew melon, etc., has many varieties, and summer is exactly the season when melons hit the market. When planting, if you want the melons to be large and sweet, this cannot be separated from the grower's fertilization techniques. So how should melons be fertilized? Let's take a look together.

1. Fertilizer requirement characteristics

Melons have a large fertilizer requirement. In addition to elements such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, they are also extremely sensitive to trace elements such as calcium and boron. During the seedling stage, they absorb the least nutrients. After flowering, the demand for nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizer gradually increases. By half a month after fruit set, the absorption of nitrogen and potassium elements reaches a peak. About one month after fruit set, it begins to decline sharply, while the absorption of calcium and phosphorus elements reaches a peak. During the flowering and fruiting stage, the absorption of mineral substances is relatively large.

2. Apply sufficient base fertilizer

Melons like fertilizer. To achieve high and stable yields, sufficient base fertilizer should be applied during planting. Generally, when combining with land preparation, apply 2500-3000 kg of decomposed farmyard manure or organic fertilizer per mu as base fertilizer. If there is no farmyard manure, inorganic fertilizer or chemical fertilizer can also be used instead. Apply 200-300 kg of high-quality compound fertilizer per mu, spread it evenly on the soil, and mix it evenly with the soil.

3. Timely topdressing

Topdressing should be determined according to the nutrient requirements of melons at each growth stage. Generally, at the seedling stage when there are 5-6 true leaves, apply the first topdressing. At this time, nitrogen fertilizer is the main component, combined with an appropriate amount of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer. Generally, apply 100 kg of decomposed soybean cake or oil residue per mu, or 15 kg of compound fertilizer, and apply it in a ring beside the roots. Note that it should be 15-20 cm away from the root system. After fertilizing, cover with soil and water to promote rapid growth of the seedlings. The second fertilization is generally at the fruit-setting stage. At this time, potassium fertilizer is the main component. Apply 10 kg each of urea and potassium sulfate per mu, or 20 kg of compound fertilizer mainly containing potassium.

4. Foliar fertilization

In addition to base fertilizer and topdressing, reasonable foliar fertilization should also be carried out according to the growth condition of the plants. Foliar fertilization mainly involves spraying leaf fertilizer. Spraying leaf fertilizer once a week during the fruit-setting period can produce good effects of increasing yield and preserving quality. The leaf fertilizer can be made by mixing low-concentration urea and potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution. In addition, leaf fertilizer can prevent plants from developing deficiency symptoms, so as to avoid hindering plant growth and affecting yield and quality.

The above is an introduction to how to fertilize melons. We hope it can help you. If you want to learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.