Key Management Techniques for Watermelon Grafting Seedlings During the Healing Period

The quality of the graft union healing, the survival rate, and whether the disease resistance and yield increase effects can be achieved are related not only to the affinity between scion and rootstock, the grafting method and the level of technical proficiency, but also directly to the environmental conditions and management techniques after grafting. This is especially true for environmental management and management techniques during the healing period. Let's take a look at the management techniques for the healing period after grafting!

I. Required Facilities

1. In winter and spring, the seedbed should be set up inside facilities such as solar greenhouses or plastic film arch sheds.

2. A small plastic arch shed should also be erected over the seedbed, and shading materials such as straw curtains and shade nets should be prepared.

3. If the temperature is low, heating wires should also be laid.

4. For late-autumn delayed cultivation, the seedling stage occurs in the hot summer, so after grafting the seedlings should be moved into facilities providing shade, rain protection and cooling.

II. Temperature

1. Temperature that is too high or too low will affect the healing of the graft union.

2. Suitable temperature for watermelon grafting: 25-28°C during the day, around 20°C at night.

3. At 15°C, grafted seedlings will delay healing by 1-2 days, and the survival rate will drop by about 10%.

4. Above 32°C, healing is slow, and the survival rate decreases by more than 15%.

5. Generally, after the seedlings survive 8-10 days after grafting, routine temperature management for seedling raising can be resumed.

III. Humidity

1. Immediately after grafting, water the seedling pots and move them into a fully watered small arch shed kept strictly sealed.

2. Air humidity should be maintained above 95%.

3. In winter use warm water, in summer use cool water, and spray into the small arch shed to bring the air humidity inside close to saturation.

4. Afterwards, spray 2-3 times a day, and gradually ventilate to remove moisture after 7 days.

IV. Light

1. For the first three days after grafting, all sunlight should be blocked to maintain seedbed humidity and prevent high temperatures.

2. But it is even more important to maintain diffuse light inside the small arch shed; seedlings can be exposed to weak light in the early morning or at dusk.

3. This can prevent the gourd rootstock from yellowing due to lack of sunlight, which can lead to disease.

4. After 3 days, let the grafted seedlings receive weak light for about 1 hour in the morning and evening.

5. Then gradually extend the lighting time; after 7 days, shading is only needed during the midday period of strong light.

6. Once the first true leaf of the scion grows out, routine light management can be carried out for the grafted seedlings.

The above is the introduction to the management techniques for watermelon during the healing period after grafting. The most important thing is to pay attention to three conditions: humidity, temperature and light all affect watermelon seedling raising, and the first few days after grafting are the critical period. At this time, humidity must be ensured to be adequate, otherwise the grafting may not succeed!