Detailed Explanation of Key Techniques for Spring Sowing and Seedling Cultivation of Winter Squash
1. Seed treatment Before sowing, first prepare seedling pots (specification: 10 cm x 10 cm x 8 cm) and nutrient soil (50% decomposed organic fertilizer, 50% field sandy loam soil, mix evenly). Before sowing, seed treatment should be carried out: remove shriveled and deformed seeds, select plump seeds, and sun the seeds on a sunny day for 1-2 days, ...
1. Seed treatment
Before sowing, first prepare seedling pots (specification: 10 cm x 10 cm x 8 cm) and nutrient soil (50% decomposed organic fertilizer, 50% field sandy loam soil, mix evenly). Before sowing, seed treatment should be carried out: remove shriveled and deformed seeds, select plump seeds, and sun the seeds on a sunny day for 1-2 days to enhance seed vitality. After sunning, place the seeds in 55°C water and scald them for 10 minutes, stirring constantly. When the water temperature drops to 30°C, soak the seeds for another 5 hours, rub off the mucus thoroughly, rinse with clean water, wrap them in a wet cloth, and place them under a temperature condition of 25-30°C for germination. After 36-48 hours, when the sprouts are about 3 mm long, they can be sown.
2. Sowing
Place the germinated seeds flat in seedling pots filled with nutrient soil and watered thoroughly, taking care that the sprouts point downward, 1-2 seeds per pot, then cover with about 1 cm of sieved fine soil. After sowing, cover with plastic film, making sure it is tightly covered, and add straw curtains at night for insulation, keeping the temperature at around 25°C to facilitate rapid emergence.
3. Seedling stage management
The seedling age of winter squash is generally 40-45 days. Just after sowing, strengthen heat preservation and moisture retention, and seal the seedbed. After the cotyledons push through the soil, ventilate promptly to lower the temperature and prevent leggy seedlings. Maintain around 22°C during the day and around 12°C at night. After most seedlings emerge, cover with an additional 1 cm of fine soil to maintain humidity. During the seedling cultivation period, ventilate appropriately on sunny days and ventilate less on cloudy days, taking care to control humidity and strictly avoid excessive humidity. Standards for strong seedlings: 3 true leaves and 1 heart leaf, plant height 10-15 cm, dark green leaves, thick and sturdy stems, well-developed root system, and no pests or diseases.