Key Field Management Techniques for Growing Pepino Melon
Pepino melon is also called longevity fruit and wind fruit, and it is the prototype of the ginseng fruit in Journey to the West. Pepino melon is fresh and juicy with a unique taste, contains relatively high levels of nutrients such as protein and amino acids, and its sugar and fat content are both very low. It is a fruit that is very beneficial to human health, and there is now a certain planting area in China. However, when growing pepino melon, we need to do a good job in cultivation management. Now let me introduce it to you!
1. Temperature control
Pepino melon likes to grow in a warm environment, but its tolerance to high temperatures is relatively poor, and because of seasonal changes, the temperature changes are very large. Therefore, when growing it, we must first do a good job in temperature adjustment. In autumn and winter, the temperature gradually drops. At this time, plastic film should be laid in time, and straw should be used as cover at night. In the early stage, attention should be paid to ventilation. The daytime temperature should be controlled at around 20 degrees, and the nighttime temperature should not be lower than 10 degrees. After the temperature rises, attention should be paid to ventilation to prevent heat damage. When the lowest temperature stabilizes above 15 degrees, the greenhouse film can be uncovered.
2. Water and fertilizer management
When fertilizing, the amount of topdressing should be controlled according to soil fertility, base fertilizer, and other conditions. When the soil is fertile and the base fertilizer is sufficient, apply less or no topdressing. Excessive or too early topdressing can easily lead to excessive vegetative growth of pepino melon. When the first cluster of fruit grows to the size of an egg, start the first topdressing to promote fruit enlargement. It is best to apply topdressing once for each cluster of fruit set, and then appropriately spray foliar fertilizer during the flowering and fruiting period. Then keep the soil moist throughout the entire growth period of pepino melon. After entering the fruiting period, the demand for water will also increase, so the watering frequency should be appropriately increased.
3. Plant adjustment
The branching ability of pepino melon plants is relatively strong. If not adjusted in time, the branches will become luxuriant and form a large clump, making the plants too closed and affecting ventilation and light penetration. This will hinder flower bud differentiation and reduce the rate of flowering and fruiting. Therefore, when growing it, we should do a good job in plant adjustment. First, use bamboo poles to build a triangular frame, then tie the plant stems and vines to the triangular frame to prevent them from becoming too closed. Then keep about 3 main branches per plant, depending on the planting density. If planted too densely, it is not suitable to keep more than two; otherwise, 1-2 more main branches can be appropriately retained. Then during the fruiting period, prune once about every half month, cut off excess branches, and use healthy branches as cuttings for propagation.
4. Preserving flowers and fruits
Pepino melon has strong self-pollination ability. The number of flowers per flower cluster is about 9. In order to avoid excessive nutrient consumption and excessive fruit retention, we should control the number of flowers per flower cluster to about 5. In addition, in order to improve the fruit-setting rate of pepino melon and speed up plant growth, growth regulators should be used reasonably. But be sure to pay attention to the amount of growth regulators used to prevent too much or too little, which may reduce the growth rate of pepino melon or cause excessive vegetative growth of the plants. We should thin flowers first, then spray regulators. If flowers are not thinned, attention should be paid to fruit thinning. The number of fruits per fruit cluster should not exceed 4.
The above is a brief introduction to the field management techniques for pepino melon. Field management of pepino melon is a very important task. The rate of flowering and fruiting is directly related to it, so everyone must pay close attention when growing it! That is all for today's introduction. This article is for reference only. Thank you for reading and supporting.