Key Techniques for Spring Greenhouse Cultivation of Hami Melon
Hami melon is deeply favored by the public for its rich nutrition, sweet taste, and properties that help cool and relieve summer heat. Since 2002, with the technical support of Academician Wu Mingzhu of the **Hami Melon Research Center, Hami melon has been successfully introduced, demonstrated, and promoted in Jiading District, and new Hami melon varieties better adapted to the climate characteristics of the southern region have been selected...
Hami melon is deeply favored by the public for its rich nutrition, sweet taste, and properties that help cool and relieve summer heat. Since 2002, with the technical support of Academician Wu Mingzhu of the **Hami Melon Research Center, Hami melon has been successfully introduced, demonstrated, and promoted in Jiading District, and new Hami melon varieties better adapted to the climate characteristics of the southern region have been selected, and a relatively mature set of greenhouse cultivation techniques for Hami melon has been developed. This autumn, the planting area is nearly 300 mu. The spring cultivation techniques for greenhouse Hami melon are introduced as follows:
I. Variety Selection
Hami melon varieties suitable for the southern climate characteristics and with strong disease resistance should be selected. The main promoted varieties in this region are: Xuelihong, Xianguo, 98-18 (green-skinned and yellow-skinned), etc.
II. Field Selection
Hami melon cultivation should avoid melon stubble and continuous cropping plots. Rice stubble fields that have not grown cucurbits within 3 years, are on high, well-drained terrain, and have good drainage should be selected. Sandy soil rich in organic matter and with good permeability is the first choice for planting Hami melon.
III. Land Preparation, Bed Making, and Fertilization
One month before planting, plow the soil to a depth of 25-30 cm. At the same time, open the supporting ditch systems (main ditch, operation ditch, and outer greenhouse ditch), and apply sufficient base fertilizer across the entire plow layer in one application. Generally, about 1,000 kg of commercial organic fertilizer per mu, 30 kg of potassium sulfate-type ternary compound fertilizer (N:L:K=15:15:15), and 50 kg of superphosphate are used. When making beds, high beds and high ridges must be used. The bed surface should be shaped like a turtle back, with an arch height of 25-30 cm. The bed surface should be fully covered with plastic film (transparent film in spring), which helps conserve moisture, reduce humidity, and prevent weeds.
IV. Seedling Raising and Transplanting
1. Seed treatment: Dry treatment can be used. Bake dry seeds in a constant-temperature drying oven at 60-69°C for about 3 days, which has a good disinfection and sterilization effect. If these conditions are not available, the seeds can be sun-dried under strong sunlight for 2 days.
2. Sowing: The spring sowing period is generally in early to mid-January. Spring seedling raising emphasizes heat preservation and disease prevention. The seedbed uses multi-layer film covering, and electric heating wires are laid on the ground. The seedbed temperature follows a pattern of two high and two low. Before emergence, the seedbed temperature should be controlled at 28-30°C to promote uniform emergence. Before the first true leaf unfolds, seedlings are most prone to leggy growth, so the temperature should be lowered. During the day, the bed temperature should be maintained between 23-25°C, and at night 18-20°C. As the seedlings grow and the outside temperature rises, ventilation openings can be appropriately enlarged, and the ventilation time should be correspondingly lengthened. One week before planting, low-temperature hardening should be carried out so that the seedlings gradually adapt to external conditions. For disease prevention during the seedling stage, spraying with Amistar 1-2 times can be used. The spring seedling age is about 30 days, and transplanting is done at the 3-leaf-1-heart stage.