Artificial pollination technique of growing watermelon

I. the choice of node position

The node position of watermelon cultivated in protected field can be lower; that of open field cultivation in spring is higher; that of early-maturing varieties is lower; that of late-maturing varieties should be higher. The suitable position of retaining melon node depends on the variety and climatic conditions. In general, early-maturing varieties stay in the 12th-15th section of the main vine. The middle and late ripening variety Liugua is in the 20th-25th node of the main vine, which is usually the 2nd or 3rd female flower. Under the condition of low temperature, insufficient fertilizer, weak light and poor plant growth, melon retention can be postponed appropriately.

Second, the selection of female flowers

The ovary of the female flower in the node position is large, hairy, the fruit stalk is long and thick, it is easy to set fruit, and the fruit is large and the yield is high. On the contrary, the female flowers with small petals, small and round ovary, short pedicel and sparse hairs are not easy to set fruit, even if they sit fruit, the fruit is small, poor quality and low yield.

Third, the selection of male flowers

The male flower used for pollination should choose the flower with bright color and large Corolla diameter.

Fourth, pollination time

1. Pollination time

Under the condition of sunny day, the Corolla began to loosen at about 5: 00 in the morning, the pollen began to split at about 6: 00, and the Corolla spread out. At 12:00, the Corolla fades and begins to close. The time from 8 to 10:00 in the morning is the most vigorous time for pollen physiological activity of female and male flowers, and it is also the best time for artificial pollination.

two。 Completion time

The suitable time for artificial pollination of watermelon is 7 days, and the longest is no more than 10 days. If the pollination time is more than 10 days, the sitting melon is irregular, the fruit size is uneven, the harvest time is not concentrated, and the yield is reduced by 10% and 15%.

5. Pollination technology

1. Flower pair method

When pollinating, gently hold up the female flower stalk to expose the stigma, then select the male flower that opened on the same day, pick it off together with the petal, turn out the petals and expose the stamens, and gently smear the pollen on the stigma of the female flower in the node position of the melon, so that the pollen is evenly scattered on the stigma, and a male flower can give 2-4 female flowers.

two。 Brush dipped in powder

Pick the male flowers that bloom that day, concentrate the pollen in a clean container and mix it. Dip the pollen with a soft brush or a small brush, aim at the stigma of the female flower, gently apply it a few times, and wait for the stigma to have obvious yellow pollen.

VI. points for attention

If there is a lot of overcast and rainy weather during the flowering period of watermelon, which affects the normal pollination, the female and male flowers can wear paper caps or small plastic bags to prevent rain one day before the rain, and the bags can be taken out during pollination. The female flowers still wear hats to protect them after pollination, and they can be removed 3 days later. There were showers during flowering and pollination, and pollination was carried out 2 hours after the rain. Pollination should be completed within 3 hours, if there is no rain within 3 hours after pollination, it can be managed normally; if there is light rain within 3 hours, it should be reissued once.

After pollination, different colors of cards should be hung on the pollinated melon node. Confirm that it has been pollinated to prevent repeated pollination, and it is easy to determine the ripening period of watermelon and harvest at the right time.

7. Pollination inspection

In the afternoon after pollination, if the fruiting stalk of the female flower bent and sagged, the front end of the ovary began to touch the ground, indicating that pollination was successful. If the fruiting stalk of the female flower is still upward or still extending forward, it indicates that it is not pollinated. At this time, clean the marker on the plant and re-select the female flower for pollination.