Watermelon High Quality Cultivation and Precautions
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August 12 03:04:43, 2025
Watermelon high-density trellis cultivation is a modern agricultural technique that has gained popularity in recent years, especially in greenhouse settings. This spring, I conducted simplified experiments comparing high-density trellis systems with traditional ground-covering methods in open fields and achieved successful results. Below, I have outlined the advantages of high-density cultivation and some important considerations to keep in mind.
First, disease incidence is significantly reduced. With the trellis system, the vines grow upward into the air, which alters the microclimate and reduces the likelihood of disease occurrence. In my experiment, the conventional ground-covered watermelon field experienced early and severe disease outbreaks, even after chemical treatments, leading to leaf death. In contrast, the trellis-grown watermelons remained healthy throughout the season without any such issues.
Second, yield potential is much higher. The total yield of watermelons depends on the number of plants per acre, multiplied by the average number of fruits per plant, and then multiplied by the average weight of each melon. Since the species characteristics limit the individual fruit size, the key factor is the number of fruits per plant. By increasing planting density, we can boost the number of fruits per plant. For example, when planting density doubles, the yield also doubles, making this method highly efficient.
Third, natural pollination rates are very high. Once the cucurbits begin flowering, wind-assisted pollination occurs effectively. In one of my test plots, 10 seedless watermelon plants were grown without manual pollination, yet each produced two or more fruits. In comparison, the traditionally grown 230 Meigui watermelon varieties only yielded 181 fruits, showing the advantage of the trellis system.
Fourth, economic efficiency is promising. Using trellis technology for high-density planting doubles the yield while only requiring an additional 12 labor days and some scaffolding materials and compound fertilizer. One acre of land can now produce as much as two acres used to, improving land use efficiency and providing better returns.
Lastly, there are several key precautions to consider:
1. Timely net installation is crucial. The nets should be placed in the hanging baskets before the watermelons reach the top of the trellis. Otherwise, the fruits may get damaged or fall off. Large watermelons like Li Bao tend to be well-proportioned when properly supported.
2. Planting density varies depending on the variety. For large watermelons weighing over 6 kg, about 1,200 plants per acre are ideal. Smaller varieties can be planted at 1,500 to 1,700 per acre, but too dense planting can make field management difficult. Too sparse planting, on the other hand, increases labor costs for setting up and maintaining the trellis.
3. Due to the high density and the structure of the trellis, it's challenging to apply fertilizers directly to the soil. It’s recommended to use a base fertilizer application and supplement with foliar feeding during growth stages through irrigation systems.
Overall, high-density trellis cultivation offers a practical and effective solution for increasing yield, reducing disease, and improving profitability in watermelon farming.