How to grow winter melon seedlings? A detailed guide to winter melon seedling and planting techniques

Winter melon is an important economic crop in China, with characteristics such as low planting cost, high yield and rich nutrition. Its planting value is very high, attracting many farmers to grow it. In the process of growing winter melon, raising seedlings is a very important step, and can be said to be the very foundation of winter melon cultivation. So, how do you grow winter melon seedlings?

I. Preparation of nutrient soil for the seedbed

Use seedling bags or plug trays for raising seedlings, and choose soil that is rich in organic matter, loose in structure yet not easily crumbly, and whose previous crop was not a cucurbit crop, as the seedbed soil. To prepare the seedling nutrient soil, mix "Haizhuangyuan" seaweed organic fertilizer with seedbed soil at a ratio of 4:6, then add 5 kg of "Haizhuangyuan" seaweed continuous-cropping agent to every 100 kg of the prepared nutrient soil and mix evenly, then fill trays (cups). When using a seedbed to raise seedlings, use 100 g of "Haizhuangyuan" seaweed continuous-cropping agent per square meter of seedbed, add 30-50 kg of dry fine soil and mix well. Before sowing, spread 1/3 of the treated soil on the bed surface as a base layer, and after sowing, use the remaining 2/3 of the treated soil as a cover layer over the seeds. The prepared nutrient soil can promote emergence, improve root vitality and prevent seedbed diseases.

II. Sowing at the right time

For spring planting, the sowing period is from December to March; for autumn planting, the sowing period is from June to July. For spring planting, the method of raising seedlings and transplanting is better, as it helps protect against cold during seedling raising; for autumn planting, sprout sowing is better. When using seedling raising and transplanting, after soaking the seeds to promote germination, raise the seedlings in nutrient cups, and after the true leaves have unfolded, choose sunny and warm weather to move them to the field for planting. For autumn planting, after soaking, promoting germination and seed dressing, the seeds can be sown directly in the field at marked spots.

III. Germination promotion, seed dressing and sowing

The minimum temperature for black-skinned winter melon seeds to germinate is above 15°C. Spring sowing (especially early spring) has low temperatures and slow germination, so the seeds need to be treated by soaking, germination promotion and seed dressing. This not only helps the seeds germinate but also disinfects them. The specific method is: before sowing, soak the seeds in warm water at 55°C for 15 minutes, then continue soaking at room temperature for 10-12 hours. Take them out, drain them, and then promote germination at 28-32°C. After sprouting, carry out seed dressing: use 250-300 g of "Haizhuangyuan" seaweed continuous-cropping agent per mu (667 sq m), sprinkle it over the seeds, shake gently so the seeds are evenly coated, let them dry slightly and then sow. If using a seedbed to raise seedlings, it is best to place the seeds evenly with a spacing of about 10 cm. This has great benefits: first, it can cultivate strong melon seedlings; second, the roots are less likely to be damaged during transplanting (because the suitable age for transplanting winter melon is 5-6 leaves, when the root system is relatively well developed).

IV. Seedling stage management

Starting from when the seedlings emerge and grow 2 true leaves, spray the foliage with a 1000-fold dilution of "Haizhuangyuan 818" Plant Guardian, once every 10-15 days. One day before planting out, use an 800-1000-fold dilution of "Haizhuangyuan 818" rooting agent for root drenching, which helps protect the roots during transplanting, promotes root development and shortens the recovery period after transplanting. For spring seedling raising, hardening off is needed before transplanting. About 5 days before planting out, control watering to promote well-developed root growth, and carry out hardening off according to the principle of going from little ventilation to full ventilation, until the film is completely removed 2-3 days before planting out, to reduce transplanting injury and improve the survival rate.

　　[Editor's concluding remarks]Doing a good job of raising winter melon seedlings is the foundation for successfully growing winter melon, and should be taken seriously.