Watermelon (Cucumis sativusL), also known as watermelon, cold melon, etc., is an annual herb in the genus Watermelon of the Cucurbitaceae family. Watermelon flesh is juicy and sweet, cool and fast, with high economic value, and is a special fruit that people solve in midsummer. At present, it is widely cultivated in all countries in the world, in addition to conventional open field or mulch film cover cultivation, it has been cultivated by protective facilities such as plastic greenhouses and has achieved good economic benefits.
Watermelon growth and development requirements for environmental conditions
1. Temperature.
Watermelon is native to the African savannah and is extremely heat resistant. The appropriate temperature for seed germination is 26-30 °C, germination begins at 15 °C, germination cannot be done below 15 °C, germination above 35 °C is affected, and cracked shells are caused. The appropriate temperature for growth and development is 25-31 °C during the day, the vegetative growth temperature is lower, the growth is slow at 10 °C, the frost damage is below 5 °C, and the growth is hindered above 35 °C, but the temperature required for fruit set and fruit growth is higher, the lowest is 15 °C, at lower temperatures, the fruit develops slowly, the skin is thick, easy to hollow and deformity, the sugar content is reduced, and the quality is poor.
2. Light.
Watermelon is a short-day crop. The light saturation point is 8X10lux, and the light compensation point is 4X10lux. Within 8h of sunshine at the seedling stage of watermelon, the first female flower node is low; If the sun is more than 16h, the formation of female flowers is inhibited.
3. Soil.
Watermelon is a deep-rooted crop. Its root system is deep and wide, strong absorption capacity, cultivation should use deep soil layer, sulfur pine fertile, well-drained loam or sandy loam. Watermelon does not have strict requirements for soil pH and can be grown in the range of pH 5-8. Watermelon needs more nitrogen and potassium fertilizers during the vegetative growth period, and potassium fertilizers are especially needed during the fruit expansion period.
Related organic material recommendation: Hydrolyzed Protein Based Organic Nitrogen; Fish Protein Hydrolysate Fertilizer；
4. Humidity.
Watermelon is resistant to early but not waterlogging, requiring dry air operation. The relative humidity is 50%-60%. Watermelon needs a lot of water in its life, and the water needs are the most different at different stages of growth and development, and the seeds require sufficient water when germinating to decompose nutrients to germinate rapidly; The seedling stage should be 65%, and the vine pumping stage and flowering and fruiting stage should be 70%-75% latitude. In cultivation, it should be noted that watermelons are afraid of flooding, and if they flood for more than 12h, they will die. Therefore, well-drained plots should be selected for cultivation.
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Post time: Sep-25-2023
