What are the control methods for small fruit and fruit cracking in melons?
As temperatures rise, melons grow rapidly, and the critical period for field management has arrived. Recently, some farmers have reported that small fruit and fruit cracking occur during melon growth. How can this be solved? To prevent small fruit, strengthen fertilizer and water management in the early stage to promote vegetative growth. According to variety characteristics and cultivation...
As temperatures rise, melons grow rapidly, and the critical period for field management has arrived. Recently, some farmers have reported that small fruit and fruit cracking occur during melon growth. How can this be solved?
Preventing small fruit
In the early stage, strengthen fertilizer and water management to promote vegetative growth. According to variety characteristics and cultivation methods, prune reasonably and control the fruiting position. Generally, keep 1-2 fruits per vine.
When the plant's growth vigor is weak, young fruits can be removed to promote vegetative growth and delay fruit setting.
For vigorously growing plants, artificial pollination should be used to promote fruit setting. From 6:00-8:00 every morning, use male flowers that opened that day to pollinate female flowers that opened that day, gently touching them 2 times to carry out artificial pollination.
Preventing fruit cracking
Irrigate reasonably, and pay attention to the irrigation period and irrigation amount. On the one hand, timely water for fruit expansion should be applied to promote melon fruit expansion; on the other hand, after watering for fruit expansion, do not apply large amounts of water again, especially try not to water for about 10 days before harvesting, to prevent fruit cracking.
Fertilize scientifically. In the later stage of melon growth, topdress in a timely manner to meet the fertilizer requirements for later melon growth.
Protect the leaves. Pay attention to protecting the leaves near the fruit, using them to shade the fruit from sunlight and avoid fruit cracking caused by fruit skin aging due to direct sunlight. Grass or leaves can be placed over the fruit to prevent the fruit skin from hardening prematurely.
Spray trace elements. After fruit setting, combine with watering and spray a 0.3% calcium chloride and 0.12%-0.25% boric acid solution on the leaves, spraying once every 7 days for 2-3 consecutive sprays, to supplement the deficiency of trace elements.