Watermelon farming has traditionally relied on direct seeding, but as cultivation techniques and greenhouse technologies have advanced, transplanting seedlings has become more common. When using seedling transplanting, preparing the right nursery soil is crucial for growing healthy plants.
(1) The ideal nursery soil mix typically includes 50% loam, 30–35% compost, 15–20% fine sand, and a small amount of wood ash or 1–2 kg of potassium sulfate per cubic meter. This combination ensures good drainage, nutrient content, and aeration, which are essential for strong seedling growth.
(2) For base fertilization, farmers commonly use three methods: broadcasting, furrow application, and hole application. A typical rate is 15–22.5 tons of farmyard manure per hectare. After spreading, the soil is plowed to mix in the manure. Then, furrows are dug, about 50–70 cm wide and 25–40 cm deep, and the same amount of manure is added along with 300–375 kg of superphosphate (with over 12% available phosphorus) and 37.5–45 kg of potassium sulfate. These materials are mixed into the soil and covered before planting.
(3) Top-dressing practices vary depending on the region and cultivation method. In northern areas, fewer top-dressings are applied, while southern regions often require more frequent applications. Seedlings usually receive their first top-dressing when they have two true leaves (for direct-seeded crops) or after being transplanted. At this stage, 150–225 kg of urea per hectare is commonly used. When the plants reach about 15 cm in height, another round of 105–150 kg of urea is applied. Once the fruits grow to 10–15 cm in diameter, 150–225 kg of urea and 150–225 kg of potassium sulfate are recommended. During the fruit development phase, spraying 0.5% potassium dihydrogen phosphate and 0.5% calcium nitrate 2–3 times can improve both yield and quality. However, applying urea alone at this stage may lower fruit quality. If potassium sulfate is unavailable, potassium dihydrogen phosphate can be used instead. In cases where no potassium fertilizer is available, it's best to skip this step.
If you plan to harvest a second crop, apply approximately 90–120 kg of urea and 150–225 kg of potassium sulfate per hectare about five days before the first harvest. This helps prevent early leaf aging and encourages the growth of the second batch of melons.
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