Detailed Explanation of Key Points of Artificial Supplementary Pollination Technology for Melons
In melon cultivation, to improve the fruit-setting rate and pollination quality of melons, artificial supplementary pollination is mostly adopted to achieve the goal of increasing yield. So how should artificial supplementary pollination be carried out for melons? Let's take a look at the detailed introduction with the editor.
1. Selection of the node for fruit setting
When planting melons, fruit is generally kept on secondary vines or tertiary vines, and fruit is generally not kept on the main vine. There are two pruning methods: single-vine and double-vine, and the nodes for keeping fruit differ between the two pruning methods. For single-vine pruning, early-maturing varieties generally keep fruit at nodes 9-13, while early and late-maturing varieties are suitable at nodes 12-16; for double-vine pruning, the nodes for keeping fruit on the secondary vines are consistent with those for single-vine pruning.
2. Pollination time
The pollination time for melons is generally chosen between 7-10 a.m., because this is when the female flower stigma and male flower pollen are in their active period, and pollination at this time helps improve the fertilization rate. Generally, it is best to complete all pollination of melons in the same field within one week. Only by completing pollination in the same cycle will it be convenient for management and harvesting during the fruiting period later, so as to avoid inconsistent ripening times and relatively chaotic management.
3. Artificial pollination
Choose male flowers that open on the same day, pick them, remove the petals to expose the stamens, then gently smear the stamens onto the stigma of the pistil. Generally, the stamens of each male flower can pollinate 2-3 female flowers. The pollen of male flowers can be collected in a container in advance, and then at the optimal pollination time, use a cotton swab to dip the pollen and smear it on the stigma of the pistil to complete pollination.
4. Precautions
During pollination, note that pollination should not be carried out in rainy weather, so as not to affect pollination quality. If it rains during pollination, you can put a paper bag over the flower and remove it three days after pollination. If it is showery weather, pollination should be carried out 2 hours after the rain. If rainy weather occurs within 3 hours after pollination, pollination should be supplemented once. After pollination, marks should be made to avoid repeated pollination. This can also determine the ripening period and facilitate harvesting.
The above is an introduction to artificial supplementary pollination technology for melons. We hope it can help you. If you want to learn more related knowledge, please follow us.