Latest Key Management Points for Winter Pumpkin Cultivation

Pumpkins are originally a spring and summer crop, and the planting area in autumn and winter is relatively small, but the market demand for pumpkins in winter is not small, so in winter they can be planted appropriately according to market demand. To go on the market in winter, cultivation needs to begin in autumn. In fact, the cultivation method in winter is similar to that in spring and summer. So how should pumpkins be managed when planted in winter? Today the editor brings you the key management points for growing pumpkins in winter. Let's take a look!

1. Fertilizer and Water Management

Fertilizer and water management is essential in the cultivation process. When preparing the land, fully decomposed farmyard manure is used as base fertilizer and mixed and stirred together with the soil. The amount of topdressing after planting needs to be determined according to the soil fertility level and the growth progress of the pumpkins. In the early stage of plant development, the amount of fertilizer applied needs to be controlled to prevent excessive nutrients from causing excessive vegetative growth of the plant branches. During the flowering and fruiting stage, attention should be paid to providing the plant with sufficient nutrients, and attention should be paid to nutrient balance; fertilization should not be single or excessive. After planting, water thoroughly with the root-setting water to prevent water shortage from affecting plant growth.

2. Intertillage and Weeding

Pumpkins are vining crops. When the plant vines grow to a certain extent, attention should be paid to carrying out appropriate intertillage and weeding work. During the process, avoid causing damage to the roots, which would affect nutrient absorption. Then, as the vines grow, when the vines have already covered the ground, intertillage can be stopped. During the vine extension stage, intertillage work should be done in a timely manner to better promote root elongation and extension. All surrounding weeds should be removed, because weeds will compete with the plants for nutrients and water, so they should be removed in a timely manner.

3. Pruning and Vine Pressing

The vines of pumpkins are very long, so having a correct method of pruning and vine pressing can effectively promote early maturity and high yield. For varieties with strong growth and many side branches, remove excess side branches, excessive vegetative branches, diseased branches, etc., to improve pumpkin growth quality and improve the air permeability of the vegetable plot. If the planting density is too dense, then vine pressing work is needed. Vine pressing can appropriately inhibit vine growth and transfer part of the nutrients to the fruit. This makes plant growth better and promotes fruit expansion and sugar accumulation.

4. Disease Control

Diseases have a great impact on pumpkin growth, so during the cultivation process we must focus on the occurrence of diseases. Strengthen orchard management, disinfect the orchard regularly, and intertillage and hilling can also effectively remove pathogens and insect eggs in the garden. After harvest, do a good job of cleaning the garden, remove diseased fruits, branches, and leaves from the vegetable garden, and carry out centralized treatment far away from the vegetable garden. For plants in the early stage of disease, check them in a timely manner, and then take corresponding measures according to the inspection results to minimize losses, so as to increase yield and obtain higher economic benefits.

Growing pumpkins in winter has very strong market demand, and their market price will also rise somewhat. During cultivation, attention should be paid to flexibly responding to various unexpected situations. It should be noted that pumpkins are not tolerant of waterlogging, so if there is too much accumulated water in the vegetable garden, the excess accumulated water should be drained out of the vegetable garden in a timely manner. Otherwise, the roots will rot from soaking, pumpkin nutrient absorption will be blocked, and this will have a relatively serious impact on quality and yield.