What are the precautions for fertilizing watermelons? Keep these points in mind

The peak season for watermelon production can be said to be July and August every year. At this time, all kinds of watermelons can be seen all over the streets, but at this time you will find that many watermelons do not taste very good. Some are hollow, some have no moisture, some have a lot of moisture but no sugar, and some watermelons are too small and not plump, so they can only be sold at a low price and cannot make money. Some growers also say the yield is not high, with only a few melons per seedling. Today, Qinnong.com shares here some issues that need attention in watermelon fertilization, so that the melon field can increase production and bear high-quality watermelons. Let's take a look together.

1. Base fertilizer

Base fertilizer is the foundation of planting any crop. Only by applying base fertilizer well can quality and yield be guaranteed, so watermelon planting is no exception. When applying base fertilizer, we need to fertilize according to the soil fertility of the planting site. Under normal circumstances, on average about 3,500 jin of farmyard manure, 200 jin of cake fertilizer, 100 jin of compound fertilizer, and 40 to 50 jin of base fertilizer and nitrogen fertilizer are needed per unit, evenly scattered on the prepared land.

2. Full-stand fertilizer

Full-stand fertilizer is something to be done when watermelon seedlings break through the soil and grow to 10 to 15 cm, because the speed of seed germination and growth is uneven, and the field looks uneven. So at this time we should apply an appropriate amount of nitrogen fertilizer and urea to promote the growth of the melon seedlings. Although it can be broadcast directly, the seedlings at this time are relatively fragile, so special care must be taken, otherwise they will be burned to death. Therefore, it is generally best to dissolve nitrogen fertilizer and urea in water for irrigation, and at the same time do not place it too close to the roots. The amount of nitrogen fertilizer cannot be too much. About 5 to 10 jin of nitrogen fertilizer and urea is needed per mu.

3. Strong-seedling fertilizer

Strong-seedling fertilizer generally must wait until the melon seedlings grow to 50 to 60 cm before it can be applied. When applying strong-seedling fertilizer, first remove the tip of the main watermelon seedling, and then fertilize. This can prompt the melon seedlings to grow new side branches and make the side branches grow thicker and more vigorous. Only in this way can the yield of watermelons be increased. The amount used should be relatively uniform, and nitrogen fertilizer or potassium fertilizer should not be applied in a one-sided way. Therefore, on average about 10 jin of nitrogen fertilizer, about 20 jin of potassium fertilizer, and about 40 jin of compound fertilizer are needed per mu. Stir them evenly, then dig a small hole near the root of the watermelon, scatter an appropriate amount of mixed fertilizer into each hole, then cover it with soil, and finally water each plant once, so that the nutrients are more easily absorbed.

4. Flower-promoting fertilizer

Flower-promoting fertilizer, as the name suggests, is to promote the flowering period, that is, fertilizer needs to be applied one week before watermelon flowering. At this time, we generally focus on phosphate fertilizer. When the flowers bloom, the nutrients required are very large. If the nutrients are insufficient, it will cause flower and fruit drop. In order to protect the fruit, we must apply sufficient nutrients. On average, 300 jin of phosphate fertilizer, 100 jin of potassium fertilizer, and 50 jin of compound fertilizer are needed per mu. The most important thing is that at this time some nutrient solution specially used for fruit protection should be sprayed on the flowers.

5. Fruit-setting fertilizer

Wait until the set watermelons are as big as eggs, and you need to carefully observe whether the fuzz on them has disappeared. Only then can fruit-setting fertilizer be applied. Applying fertilizer too early will cause the already set watermelons to die and drop. When applying fruit-setting fertilizer, note that you can apply a little less each time, and topdress again every ten days or so, in multiple applications. This fertilization method is the most correct. Fruit-setting fertilizer is generally mainly potassium fertilizer, about 10 jin per mu on average, and a small amount of nitrogen fertilizer can be mixed in at the same time. This can promote the expansion of watermelons and the accumulation of sugar.