What to Do About Pumpkin Fruit Drop? A Detailed Guide to the Latest Prevention and Control Methods
Pumpkins are a fairly common cucurbit vegetable in our daily lives. Whether stir-fried as a dish or processed into products like pumpkin cakes, they are very popular. Pumpkin cultivation techniques in our country are also fairly mature, forming an entire industry chain, but even though the techniques are mature, many people still run into plenty of problems when growing them. Fruit drop is one of them. Fruit drop refers to pumpkins dying while they are still young fruit, which has a major impact on yield. So how should we prevent pumpkin fruit drop? Details are as follows:
1. Fertilizer and Water Management
Doing a good job with fertilizer and water management is key. Generally, when pumpkins reach the flowering and fruiting stage, there is no need to fertilize or water, to prevent the vines from growing excessively. If the vines still grow excessively, we can use a chlormequat chloride solution to irrigate the pumpkin roots and inhibit vine growth. Then, when 1-2 young fruit have formed, in order to improve the survival rate and fruit set rate, topdress in time. The specific amount of fertilizer depends on the growth stage and how fertile the soil is. Also, during later growth, if the pumpkin leaves are found to gradually become paler in color and start to turn yellow, topdress in time as well.
2. Hand Pollination
Pumpkins are a cross-pollinated crop, and pollination usually relies on various insects. But sometimes the success rate of insect pollination is not high, and sometimes there are no insects at all. So at this point we need to carry out hand pollination. Hand pollination should be done in the morning, preferably before 8 o'clock, and sunny weather is most suitable. If there are few or no male pumpkin flowers, you can appropriately use pollen from small pumpkins. After successful pollination, wait until the pumpkin grows true leaves, then spray it with agents such as ethephon, and spray again half a month later. This can promote growth and increase the fruit set rate.
3. Pruning and Vine Pressing
The pumpkin plants should be pruned appropriately, but when pruning, be careful with the operation to prevent the plants from suffering unnecessary damage, producing wounds, and affecting pumpkin growth. When the main vine extends to 60 cm, begin the first vine pressing, then press the vines at the right times according to how long the vines have grown; generally 3-4 pressings are enough. As for the fruit on each vine, try to keep just one; if two or more young fruit appear, choose the one with the best growth and the largest size, then remove all the extra fruit, remove the side vines, and carry out topping and pinching.
4. Pest and Disease Control
Suffering from pests and diseases also poses a great danger to the survival of young fruit. Patrol the pumpkin patch frequently, disinfect the patch regularly, and deal with any abnormal situation promptly. Special attention should be paid to the control of aphids; agents such as Kangfuduo can be used for control, because aphids not only gnaw on pumpkin plants but also transmit disease pathogens, leading to multiple diseases breaking out at once. Prepare well for all kinds of pests and diseases so that once they occur, they can be treated promptly. Strengthening the management of the pumpkin patch and ensuring the surrounding environment are the only ways to effectively prevent fruit drop.
The above four points are the main methods for preventing pumpkin fruit drop. Fruit drop causes death at the young fruit stage, severely affecting pumpkin yield and may even cause total crop loss. So everyone should manage the pumpkin patch well, improve the plants' resistance, and ensure the pumpkin fruit set rate. Only then can fruit drop be reduced. That is all for today's introduction. Thank you for reading and your support.