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High-yield cultivation techniques of watermelon
Watermelon is one of the most beloved fruits, especially when enjoyed raw. Known for its juicy and sweet flesh, it's packed with essential vitamins and minerals. In recent years, the cultivation of watermelons has expanded significantly across various regions. To ensure high yields, the following advanced farming techniques are widely adopted:
1. **Site Selection**: Choose well-drained sandy loam or loam soil that receives ample sunlight and is on elevated ground. Avoid planting watermelons in areas where previous crops were melons, soybeans, or other similar plants, as this can lead to weakened growth and smaller fruits, particularly if blight occurs. The best option is to follow corn, sugarcane, or peanut crops.
2. **Soil Preparation**: Watermelon roots grow deep and wide, so the soil must be thoroughly sun-dried and disinfected before planting. Apply 100–120 kg of lime per acre, then create raised beds 2–2.3 meters apart, 20 cm high, with a 50 cm spacing between plants. Incorporate base fertilizer: 2500–3000 kg of organic manure, 70–80 kg of peanut bran, 50–60 kg of phosphate fertilizer, 60–70 kg of compound fertilizer, and an appropriate amount of borax. To prevent pests, mix in small amounts of Milur or trichlorfon. After covering the bed, apply pre-emergence herbicides like acetochlor or pendimethalin, then cover with plastic film.
3. **Sowing and Seedling Care**: Spring planting should begin in early February to mid-March, ensuring seedlings have time to mature before the rainy season. Autumn sowing typically takes place from mid-July to early August. Use live seedlings or nutrient cups to promote strong growth. Transplant seedlings when they have 2–3 true leaves.
4. **Fertilization and Irrigation**: Watermelon has different N, P, K requirements at each growth stage. Nitrogen and potassium are key during the fruiting phase. Apply light fertilization during the seedling stage, and increase nutrients after flowering. Use compound fertilizer or urea-potash mixtures, and ensure even distribution. During the growth period, maintain proper watering and consider foliar sprays like Huimanfeng or Fengbao for weak plants.
5. **Vine Management**: As vines grow, lay them out horizontally to help them climb and avoid heat damage from direct sunlight. This also prevents the plastic film from burning the young plants.
6. **Pruning**: Limit each plant to three vines, removing excess ones early. When pruning, leave at least one leaf on the removed vine.
7. **Manual Pollination**: While natural pollination works under good weather, artificial pollination is recommended when conditions are unfavorable. Collect pollen from male flowers and gently apply it to female stigmas to improve fruit set.
8. **Fruit Thinning**: Allow 3–4 fruits per plant, selecting the second female flower (around the 10th node) for optimal development. Remove the first female flower on each vine to focus energy on the remaining fruits.
9. **Topping**: Once the main vine has about 25 nodes, perform topping to stop further vine growth, directing nutrients toward fruit development.
10. **Pest Control**: Focus on preventing diseases like blight using products such as Daconil or Fumei Double. For powdery mildew, use sulfur-based sprays. For pests like aphids, combine insecticides like Imidacloprid with Dimethoate. For caterpillars and thrips, use effective sprays like Bao Tai or Lannate.
11. **Harvesting**: Harvest watermelons at the right time—usually 28–30 days after pollination. Check for maturity by testing the first few fruits and determining the ideal harvest window based on their ripeness.