How to Fertilize Melons: Scientific Fertilization Methods and Technical Key Points

Melon, also known as oriental melon, Hami melon, honeydew melon, etc., has many varieties, and summer is exactly the marketing season for melons. When planting, if you want melons to be large and sweet, this is inseparable from the grower's fertilization techniques. So how should melons be fertilized? Let's take a look.

1. Fertilizer Requirements and Characteristics

Melons have a high fertilizer demand. In addition to elements such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, they are also extremely sensitive to trace elements such as calcium and boron. They absorb the least nutrients during the seedling stage. After flowering, the demand for nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers gradually increases, and by half a month after fruit set, the absorption of nitrogen and potassium elements reaches its peak. About one month after fruit set, it begins to decline sharply, while the absorption of calcium and phosphorus elements reaches its peak. During the flowering and fruiting stage, they absorb a relatively large amount of minerals.

2. Apply Sufficient Base Fertilizer

Melons like fertilizer. To achieve high and stable yields, sufficient base fertilizer should be applied during planting. Generally, when combining with land preparation, apply 2500-3000 kg of decomposed farmyard manure or organic fertilizer per mu as base fertilizer. If there is no farmyard manure, inorganic fertilizer or chemical fertilizer can also be used instead, applying 200-300 kg of high-quality compound fertilizer per mu, spreading it evenly on the soil and mixing it thoroughly with the soil.

3. Timely Topdressing

Topdressing should be determined according to the nutrient needs of melons at each growth stage. Generally, at the seedling stage when there are 5-6 true leaves, apply the first topdressing. At this time, nitrogen fertilizer is the main component, with an appropriate amount of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer. Generally, apply 100 kg of decomposed soybean cake or oil residue per mu, or 15 kg of compound fertilizer, applying it in a ring beside the roots. Note that it should be 15-20 cm away from the root system. After fertilizing, cover with soil and water to promote rapid seedling growth. The second fertilization is generally at the fruit-setting stage. At this time, potassium fertilizer is the main component, applying 10 kg each of urea and potassium sulfate per mu, or 20 kg of compound fertilizer mainly containing potassium.

4. Foliar Fertilization

In addition to base fertilizer and topdressing, reasonable foliar fertilization should also be carried out according to the growth condition of the plants. Foliar fertilization mainly involves spraying leaf fertilizer. Spraying leaf fertilizer once a week during the fruit-setting period can produce good effects of increasing yield and preserving quality. The leaf fertilizer can be made by mixing low-concentration urea and potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution. In addition, leaf fertilizer can prevent plants from developing nutrient deficiency symptoms, so as to avoid stunted plant growth and effects on yield and quality.

The above is an introduction to how to fertilize melons. We hope it can help you. To learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.