What to do when watermelon fruit set rate is low? The latest solutions are here

Watermelon is the most popular fruit in summer, with bright red flesh, delicious and juicy, suitable for all ages. However, when growing watermelons, a low fruit set rate often occurs, which not only affects the growth of watermelons but also affects yield and reduces the economic income of melon farmers. So what should be done when the watermelon fruit set rate is low? And how should it be solved? Let's take a look together.

1. Strengthen fertilizer and water management

Fertilizer and water management has a certain degree of influence on the watermelon fruit set rate, especially the fertilizer and water management before and after flowering is extremely important. During the flowering period, watering should be controlled, and watering should be done according to soil dryness and moisture so that the soil remains slightly moist. By the fruit expansion stage, the demand for water increases sharply, and at this time timely irrigation is needed. Also, timely topdressing should be done, paying attention to the reasonable combination of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizers, and also paying attention to applying additional other trace elements. Only in this way can normal growth of the plants be ensured and the fruit set rate be improved.

2. Pruning branches and managing vines

Watermelon is a vine plant. To make it easier to manage and improve the fruit set rate, when the main vine grows to 120-150 cm and the side vines grow to 50 cm, pruning branches and managing vines should be carried out. Keep only the main vine and 2-3 strong-growing side vines, and cut off all the remaining side vines. This can avoid excessive consumption of nutrients, concentrate nutrient supply, and promote earlier flowering and fruiting. During flowering, slowly cut off the side vines sprouting before and after the female flowers, which can greatly improve the fruit set rate.

3. Artificial pollination

Watermelons achieve pollination and fruiting through bees and insects, but if due to some other factors, such as low temperatures, long rainy seasons, and so on, bees and insects are few or weak in activity, pollination will be affected. Therefore, using artificial pollination is an important point for increasing the fruit set rate. During flowering, pick off the male flower that is open at the time, remove the corolla, expose the anther, use a cotton swab or toothpick to dip the pollen and gently apply it to the stigma of the female flower. When the stigma is seen turning yellow, pollination has succeeded. If cloudy and rainy days occur after pollination, protective measures should be taken to prevent rain from causing pollination failure or causing flower drop and fruit drop.

Pests and diseases can also affect the watermelon fruit set rate, such as the common anthracnose and fusarium wilt. They harm fruits and leaves. When the disease occurs, it causes leaves to wither and fall, and in severe cases causes plant death, with great harm. Strengthen field management, especially in hot and rainy seasons and during periods when diseases occur. Do a good job of drainage measures, open furrows for drainage in time, promptly remove diseased leaves and diseased fruits when disease occurs, and then spray pesticides for control.

The above are the solutions to the low watermelon fruit set rate brought to you by Qinnong Network. Spraying gibberellin solution during planting can significantly increase the watermelon fruit set rate and sugar content. We hope it can help you. For more related agricultural knowledge, please stay tuned to Qinnong Network.