The Latest Zucchini Planting Time and Methods
Zucchini is native to North America and was introduced to our country in the 19th century. Because it is rich in vitamin C and glucose substances, and has the effects of moistening the lungs and relieving cough, and clearing heat and promoting diuresis, it is loved by the people of our country, and now it is grown in all regions. So when can zucchini be planted? And what should be noted when planting? Below, Qinnong Net brings you the planting time and methods for zucchini.
Planting Time
Zucchini is a vegetable that is relatively cold-tolerant and not tolerant of high temperatures, so it can be sown in spring or autumn. The suitable growth temperature is 20-25°C, so spring sowing is in early May, and autumn sowing is in early September. If sown too early or too late, pests and diseases occur more seriously, which is not conducive to germination and seedling emergence.
Planting Methods
1. Seed Treatment
Before sowing, the seeds need to be treated. First put the seeds into warm water at 50-60 degrees to soak. To prevent damage caused by water that is too hot, they need to be stirred continuously during soaking. When the water temperature drops to about 30 degrees, remove the seeds and wash them clean, then continue soaking for 5-6 hours. After the seeds have fully absorbed water, remove them, dry them, wrap them in a wet towel and place them in a greenhouse environment at about 25 degrees to promote germination. Once they sprout, they can be sown.
2. Sowing and Raising Seedlings
When sowing, first prepare a seedbed. Mix organic fertilizer with loose soil, then add an appropriate amount of calcium phosphate and plant ash. In this way, a high-quality culture soil is made. When sowing, water the soil thoroughly so that the soil absorbs water and becomes moist, then place the seeds on it at a certain plant and row spacing. Remember to put the sprouted end facing down, then cover with a thin layer of soil.
3. Field Management
When the seedlings grow to 2-3 cm, they can be transplanted. After transplanting, maintain a high-temperature and high-humidity environment to promote seedling recovery. The daytime temperature should be 25-30 degrees, and the nighttime temperature should be 15-20 degrees. When the first fruit begins to swell, water and topdress in time. Generally, apply 30-40 jin of compound fertilizer per mu. When the second fruit swells, topdress again, this time applying 40-50 jin of urea per mu. After that, apply fertilizer once a month and water once.
4. Assisted Pollination
To increase zucchini yield, bees or manual assisted pollination can be used. Manual pollination is generally best from August to October. When pollinating, first check whether the male flower has already produced pollen. Gently wipe the stamen of the male flower with your hand. If there is yellow powder, pollination can begin. Then pick the male flower, remove the petals, keep the stamen, aim the stamen at the stigma of the female flower and gently rub it. Alternatively, use a cotton swab to dip the powder and apply it to the stigma of the female flower. Remember that pollination must be even, and do not pollinate on cloudy and rainy days or in the afternoon, otherwise it is easy to grow deformed fruit.
The above is the zucchini planting time and methods brought to you by Qinnong Net. When planting, also pay attention to pest and disease protection measures, and prevent reduced yield or total crop failure caused by pests and diseases. For more agricultural knowledge, please follow Qinnong Net.