How to manage watermelon seedlings? A detailed guide to the latest methods
Watermelon can be called the “national fruit”. Almost everyone likes to eat watermelon, and taking a bite of chilled watermelon in the hot summer feels really wonderful. But now watermelon is no longer only available in summer; with greenhouse technology it can be eaten in every season. Growing watermelon has also become a money-making project for many people, but management during the watermelon seedling stage is very important. Today the editor will talk with everyone about the management methods for the watermelon seedling stage.
1. Water management
The watermelon seedling stage is a relatively important phase in watermelon growth, and throughout the entire seedling stage the water requirement is rather high. Watering thoroughly before sowing can meet the seeds' water needs for germination. If a water shortage occurs, then we should choose to water on a morning with good light. But do not water in the afternoon, because by then the temperature has gradually dropped and the air is relatively humid, and watering easily triggers pests and diseases. Also, after watering we should pay attention to doing various kinds of ventilation well, to prevent the seedbed humidity from becoming too high and lowering the seedlings' resistance.
2. Ventilation management
⟦NL>Proper ventilation is the key to ensuring robust seedling growth, and ventilation can effectively improve the seedbed environment. After emergence, ventilation work needs to be carried out every morning when the temperature gradually rises. When the temperature begins to drop, ventilation can be ended, and when ventilating, open the vents well according to the wind direction. The size of the vents and the specific duration are mainly determined by factors such as the surrounding weather and wind volume. The wind volume should not be too large, and when ending ventilation the vents should not be closed all at once, to prevent the seedlings from suffering discomfort. The vents cannot be kept in the same place for a long time, to prevent affecting the growth of the seedlings at the vent.
3. Temperature management
When the watermelon seedling grows its first true leaf, that is when it grows fastest. At this time we must control the temperature well and appropriately lower the temperature. This prevents the appearance of leggy seedlings due to excessively low temperature. The daytime temperature should be controlled at around 22 degrees, and at night it should be appropriately lowered and kept at around 16 degrees. When the hypocotyl stops growing, the temperature can be appropriately raised a little; at this time the temperature can be appropriately increased by 3-5 degrees. Seven days before the seedlings are successfully raised and ready for transplanting, the temperature should be appropriately lowered to strengthen the seedlings' environmental adaptability. This improves the seedlings' survival rate and yield.
4. Light management
Light is an indispensable external factor for every crop, and watermelon is the same, because watermelon cannot carry out photosynthesis without light. If during the seedling stage there is not sufficient light duration and intensity, it is very unfavorable to seedling growth; the seedlings will become weak and listless, or even die. So we must control the light in the seedbed well. Because everyone generally spreads a layer of straw material on the seedbed to preserve fertilizer and water, when the sun comes out the straw material should be lifted off in time to increase the seedlings' light duration.
The above is a brief introduction to the management methods for the watermelon seedling stage. Everyone also needs to note that in rainy weather the straw material should also be appropriately lifted off; do not ignore it just because there is no sun. Because even if it is because of the weather, there will still be some scattered light, and scattered light can also enable the seedlings to carry out photosynthesis effectively. That is all for today's introduction. This article is for reference only, and I hope it is helpful to everyone.