The correct way to fertilize watermelon

The quality and yield of watermelon are affected by many factors, among which scientific fertilization is a crucial link. Watermelon fertilization should be carried out according to its growth cycle and fertilizer requirements, including a reasonable combination of base fertilizer, topdressing and foliar fertilizer . Let’s learn the correct way to fertilize watermelon .

1. Fertilizer requirements of watermelon

Watermelon has the highest demand for potassium fertilizer during its growth cycle, followed by nitrogen fertilizer, and relatively less demand for phosphorus fertilizer. Watermelon is sensitive to trace elements such as boron, zinc, molybdenum, manganese, and cobalt, and also has certain requirements for calcium, magnesium, iron, and copper. It is not advisable to apply chloride-containing fertilizers, such as potassium chloride and ammonium chloride, to watermelon to avoid affecting the quality of the fruit. To produce 1,000 kg of watermelon, approximately 2.5 to 3.3 kg of pure nitrogen, 0.8 to 1.3 kg of phosphorus pentoxide, and 2.9 to 3.7 kg of potassium oxide are required.

2. Preparation of nutrient soil

1. Preparation of nutrient soil for the seedbed: The nutrient soil should be a mixture of soil that has not been used to grow melon crops and decomposed manure to ensure good fertilizer and water retention and aeration properties, and should be sterilized.

2. Preparation of nutrient soil for plug tray seedling cultivation: You can use commercial seedling cultivation substrate or prepare it yourself, such as a mixture of peat and vermiculite, and add appropriate amounts of compound fertilizers and fungicides.

3. Application of watermelon base fertilizer

Watermelon prefers well-rotted farmyard manure, and the methods of applying base fertilizer include broadcasting, furrow application and hole application.

4. Application of watermelon topdressing

The principle of topdressing is "lightly apply fertilizer for seedlings, skillfully apply fertilizer for vine extension, and heavily apply fertilizer for melon swelling" to avoid excessive application of nitrogen fertilizer which will cause the plants to grow too tall.

5. Notes

Farmyard manure must be fully decomposed: use fermented sheep manure and soybean cake fertilizer as base fertilizer to improve the soil and increase soil permeability.

Biofertilizer improves sweetness: Use organic fertilizer fermented by biofungus during the watermelon swelling period to improve the soil and increase the root absorption capacity.

To prevent melon cracking caused by boron deficiency and calcium deficiency: water the plants properly and spray foliar fertilizers containing boron or calcium in time.

Prevent excessive growth caused by excess nutrition: take measures to disperse nutrients for vigorously growing plants.

Prevent yellow leaves on plants: Deeply plow the soil and pay attention to the combined use of organic fertilizer and bacterial fertilizer.

Prevent hollow watermelons due to uneven supply of water and fertilizer: ensure nutrient supply , increase the application of functional fertilizers, and maintain the root system.

In general, understanding the rules of watermelon fertilization and adopting scientific fertilization and management measures can promote the healthy growth of watermelon plants and improve quality and yield.