How to plant watermelon seeds: a guide to the entire process from seed selection to harvesting
As summer approaches, watermelons become a popular choice for cooling off, and many families have also begun to try to grow watermelons themselves. This article will combine the popular planting topics on the entire network for the past 10 days to provide you with a detailed guide to watermelon seed planting, covering key links such as seed selection, seedling cultivation, transplantation, and management.
1. Recommended popular watermelon varieties (Top 5 search list in the past 10 days)
| Ranking | Breed Name | Maturity cycle | Single fruit weight | Sweetness range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8424 Qilin melon | 65-70 days | 3-5kg | 12-14% |
| 2 | Black Beauty | 75-85 days | 2.5-4kg | 11-13% |
| 3 | Jingxin No. 1 | 80-90 days | 4-6kg | 10-12% |
| 4 | Little phoenix watermelon | 60-65 days | 1.5-2.5kg | 13-15% |
| 5 | Desert melon | 90-100 days | 8-12kg | 9-11% |
2. Planting time planning (adjusted according to climate zone)
| Climate type | Best seedling stage | Transplanting time | Harvest period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Tropical | Late February to March | Next March to April | June-July |
| Yangtze River Basin | March to April | Next April to May | July-August |
| Northern Temperature Zone | April to May | Next May to June | August-September |
3. Detailed planting steps
1. Seed treatment
Put the watermelon seeds in 50℃ warm water and stir for 15 minutes, then turn to 30℃ clean water and soak for 6-8 hours. Wrap it in wet gauze and place it at 28-30℃ to germinate. After 24-36 hours, it will be sown.
2. Seedling management
Use a seedling bowl with 8-10cm in diameter to fill with loose nutrient soil. Sow 1 seed per bowl, cover 1 cm of soil, and maintain a temperature of 25-30℃. After emergence, it is 22-28℃ during the day and 15-18℃ at night. The seedlings are 25-30 days old and transplanted when 3-4 real leaves are formed.
3. Transplanting and planting
Choose a sunny afternoon, with a plant spacing of 0.8-1m and a row spacing of 1.5-2m. Apply 2000kg of rotten organic fertilizer + 30kg of compound fertilizer per mu as base fertilizer. After planting, water the roots thoroughly and protect against sunlight within 3 days.
4. Key points of daily maintenance
| Growth stage | Water and fertilizer management | Temperature requirements | Things to note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medicago | Keep the soil moist | ≥15℃ | Prevent the cold spring |
| End of Via | Apply nitrogen fertilizer once | 20-30℃ | Plumbing in time |
| Flowering period | Water control and apprentice protection | 25-32℃ | Artificial pollination |
| Result period | Apply potassium fertilizer twice | 28-35℃ | Prevent sunburn |
5. Frequently Asked Questions
1. Low germination rate
Check seed freshness (optimal within 1 year), ensure stable germination temperature and avoid water accumulation and rot.
2. Sperm grows
Control the night temperature not exceeding 18℃, increase light, and spray 0.1% potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution.
3. Fruit crack
During the fruiting period, the moisture is maintained to avoid flooding after a long drought, and the grass is placed under the fruit to isolate the soil.
6. Harvest judgment criteria
1. The tendrils of the fruit stems are dry
2. The wax powder on the fruit fades and clear lines
3. The slap makes a dull "dong dong" sound
4. The bottom contacts the ground and turns yellow
According to this systematic planting plan, it takes about 70-100 days from sowing to harvest. The recent popular "balcony mini watermelon" cultivation method on the Internet can be used to choose the Xiaofeng variety and cultivate it using a container of more than 5 gallons. The key points of this technology are also applicable. Remember to share your planting results on social media!
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