Detailed Explanation of Hami Melon Cultivation Techniques and Management Methods
Hami melon is mainly produced in the Turpan-Hami Basin. It comes in various shapes, has a unique flavor, thick flesh, and is crisp and refreshing. Hami melon is rich in nutrients, with a sugar content reaching up to 21%. The sweet melon of Hami became a tribute exotic melon variety during the Yongping era of the Eastern Han Dynasty. By the Qing Dynasty, it was presented as a tribute by the King of Hami and got its name "Hami melon" after being bestowed by Emperor Kangxi.
Planting Time for Hami Melon
Overall, to grow Hami melon well, it must be sown at the right time. Generally, after the late frost has passed and the soil temperature at a depth of 10 cm below the surface stabilizes at around 14°C, sowing can begin. For melon fields using plastic film mulch, sowing can be done around April 20; without plastic film mulch, the sowing period can be appropriately postponed. For Hami melons intended for storage, the sowing period can be delayed to around May 20.
Cultivation Methods and Growing Conditions for Hami Melon
1. Sowing: Hami melon generally emerges 5-7 days after sowing. Within 3 days of emergence, seedling inspection and replanting should be carried out immediately. The seeds for replanting should be disinfected, then soaked to promote germination, and can be replanted once the seeds show white sprouts.
2. Thinning and final singling: Start thinning when there are 1-2 true leaves, leaving 2 plants per hole. When thinning, remove weak and diseased seedlings. Final singling is done at 4-5 true leaves, leaving 1 healthy plant per hole. If precision sowing is used, thinning and final singling can be completed in one operation at 4 true leaves.
3. Cultivation and weeding: Cultivating and loosening the soil can raise soil temperature, conserve moisture, and eliminate weeds. For melon fields not covered with plastic film, after the melon seedlings have all emerged, a hand hoe can be used to loosen the soil and build up soil around the seedlings, combined with weeding. The cultivation depth should be more than 20 cm. Carry out cultivation and weeding 2-3 times before the vines spread. Along with cultivation, pull out weeds around the sowing holes and seal the hole openings at all times.
4. Vine turning: When 5-6 true leaves have developed, carry out vine turning. When turning the vines, gently scrape away the soil on the inner side of the ridge near the root crown to form a small groove 5-7 cm deep, then lay the vines into the groove, and remove the first and second lateral vines at the base of the stem. At the same time, mound 10-20 cm of loose dry soil around the base of the root crown.
5. Vine training and fruit setting: The vine training and fruit setting of Hami melon depend on the variety. For early and mid-season varieties, such as Hongmibao, Hongtaihou, Xinmi No. 15 (Xiangfeimi), Xinmi No. 13 (Xinhuanghou), etc., the single-vine training method can be used. For mid-late season varieties, such as Xinmiza No. 7 (8601), Xinmi No. 11 (86-1), Xinmi No. 23 (Jinmibao), etc., the double-vine training method is used. The specific training method can be determined according to local sweet melon growing habits.
(1) Single-vine training: The main vine (primary vine) is not pinched, and the lateral buds (secondary vines) at the first 4 leaves at the base are removed. For secondary vines after the 5th node of the main vine that have no female flowers, or that have female flowers but are not retained for fruit, they can be pinched after 1 leaf; secondary vines with female flowers are pinched after 2 leaves. The fruit-setting node is preferably on the 6th-7th node secondary vine.
(2) Double-vine training: When the melon seedling grows to 4-5 true leaves, pinch the main vine, and remove the lateral buds at the first 2 leaves at the base, keeping two secondary vines at the 3rd-4th nodes and removing all others. After the tertiary vines grow out, remove those without female flowers, and pinch those with female flowers after 2 true leaves. The fruit-setting node is on the 2nd-3rd node tertiary vine. Vine training can stop when the young fruit grows to the size of an egg.
6. Vine pressing: Combined with pruning, vine pressing can be done using clods of soil or the branch-crossing method. When pressing vines with clods of soil, first make a small groove in the soil at the pressing point, lay the vine into the groove, then press on the clod of soil. Press vines 2-3 times in total during the whole growing period, until the rows are closed.
7. Top dressing: For melon fields under plastic film mulch cultivation, organic fertilizer is generally not applied as top dressing. If the base fertilizer is insufficient, some cake fertilizer or chemical fertilizer can be applied as top dressing. Top dressing must be carried out before female flowers open. Dig holes between two melon seedlings, 20 cm below the ditch edge, and apply per mu 20 kg of diammonium phosphate, 5 kg of urea, and 150 kg of oil residue. After the first fruit harvest, a second top dressing can be carried out. Foliar top dressing can use: (1) 200 g of potassium dihydrogen phosphate plus 300 g of urea, respectively prepared into 2 per thousand and 3 per thousand solutions. (2) 30-50 g of fulvic acid, prepared into a 3 per ten thousand to 5 per ten thousand solution. ③ 5 ml of Penshibao plus 50 kg of water. The above solutions should be evenly sprayed on the leaf surfaces in the early morning and evening.
8. Harvesting: Harvest Hami melons promptly as required. When harvesting, leave a 10 cm T-shaped stem.