What is the correct method for pruning and removing side shoots of summer-autumn watermelon

In summer-autumn watermelon cultivation, only the main vine and 1 to 2 robust side vines at the base of the main vine are kept per plant. During the period before fruit set, under conditions of high temperature and high humidity, the plant's stems and leaves are prone to excessive vegetative growth, and side branches sprout in large numbers; the shoots emerging from the leaf axils on the main vine and the retained side vines should be removed promptly to control vegetative growth and ensure fruit set. In the later stage of summer-autumn cultivation, that is, from young fruit set to fruit maturity, temperatures begin to drop and light intensity decreases, which can easily lead to premature aging of the plant; during this period, a relatively large photosynthetic area should be maintained as much as possible. After fruit set, if the stems and leaves are not excessively dense, pruning and shoot removal are generally no longer carried out, and all shoots growing from the leaf axils are retained.