What are the key management techniques for growing winter melon in paddy fields?
How do you manage winter melon grown in paddy fields? What methods can increase yield? Growing winter melon in paddy fields can use the following three methods to increase yield: fertilizer and water management. During the stem and vine growth stage of winter melon, watering is not easy, so a combined "promote" and "control" management approach should be adopted. After watering, cultivate in time to conserve soil moisture and extend the watering interval...
How do you manage winter melon grown in paddy fields? What methods can increase yield?
Growing winter melon in paddy fields can use the following three methods to increase yield:
Fertilizer and water management. During the stem and vine growth stage of winter melon, watering is not easy, so a combined "promote" and "control" management approach should be adopted. After watering, cultivate in time to conserve soil moisture and extend the watering interval; at this time, no topdressing is needed.
Vine pressing. For medium- and late-maturing winter melon varieties, the first female flower is borne on nodes 15 to 25, and the vines are very long. By making use of the ability of the vine nodes to grow adventitious roots, vine pressing can prevent wind damage and cold and expand the root system. The specific method is: when the vine has elongated to 60 cm, on the same side of each melon plant, about 20 cm from the root, open an arc-shaped furrow 20 to 30 cm long and 7 to 8 cm deep in the topsoil, then place a section of vine about 20 cm below the growing tip into the furrow, close the furrow and cover with soil; this is called vine pressing. When coiling the vines, remove the lateral branches and tendrils of the vine. To keep the length of the vine tip left on the ground consistent, when pressing the vines, coil long vines with a larger arc and short ones with a smaller arc. After vine pressing is completed, water once to prepare for trellising.
Trellising, pruning side shoots, and tying vines. For medium- and late-maturing winter melon varieties, after vine pressing, promptly set up small triangular trellises, inserting three short bamboo poles 1 m long around each melon plant and gathering their upper ends into one frame. For late-maturing winter melon varieties, after vine pressing, wait until the vine grows another 6 to 7 leaves (about 50 cm), then guide the vine onto the trellis. Tie the first vine tie at about 15 to 16 cm above the ground on the first pole; tie the second vine tie on another bamboo pole of the trellis, about 50 cm above the ground, so that the winter melon fruit is set between the two poles; tie the third vine tie at the top part of the trellis on the second bamboo pole. Each time you tie the vines, remove tendrils and side vines. When tying the first vine tie on the vine, carry out shallow cultivation and weed removal.
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