The key to pruning and retaining melon is to reasonably control the growth and optimize the quality of melon and fruit.
First of all, choose a healthy and strong main vine melon, and pick the tops in a timely manner according to the growth period of winter melon and local climatic conditions.
Secondly, select a few inflorescences on the vine to remove excess male flowers and weak female flowers, leaving well-developed female flowers. Third, moderate leaf thinning to ensure ventilation and light transmission to reduce diseases.
Finally, the branches are beaten at the right time, that is, the vines are fixed or guided to the shelf, so that the melons can receive light evenly and improve the quality.
1. The art of pruning winter melon and keeping melon.
Winter melon (scientific name: Benincasa hispida), this pastoral family, not only has a big belly, but also an out-and-out "sun family". It likes to "sunbathe", but is afraid that the "body" will be too exposed, so we have to cleverly shelter it from the wind and rain. Pruning is the highlight of this "fashion show" on the farm.
First, pick the main character. In the world of winter melon, we have to choose a majestic main vine, one is to ensure that the nutrients are concentrated, and the other is to make the "stars" on the main vine (the stars here refer to melons and fruits) more dazzling. When the main vine grows to a certain length, we pluck the top heart, which is called topping, which not only promotes the development of side branches, but also enters the fruiting period earlier.
Next, carefully select the beauty (female flower). There are many flowers on the long vine of winter melon, but not every one of them has the life to be a star. We have to get rid of the female flowers that are mediocre and can't carry the weight of the giant melon, leaving only the ones who are healthy and beautiful, so as to ensure that the melon is both big and good.
Then, it's time to "trim your hair" (thinning the leaves). Leaf thinning is to allow the vines to breathe better, and the sunlight can shine on each melon and fruit without obstacles, while also reducing the risk of diseases caused by moisture. However, the technique should be gentle, so as not to hurt the "heart" of the melon vine.
Finally, let the main vine walk gracefully on the catwalk (shelf) like a model, which is also known as a slapstick. At this time, you have to guide it like a gentleman and let it spread out on the shelf, which can not only allow the melon to bask in the sun evenly, but also prevent the melon vine from "backache" due to excessive weight.
In this whole process, we are like a fashion designer on the farm, carefully creating the stage image of each winter melon model. It is necessary not only to ensure their healthy growth, but also to ensure that the final "work" can shine on the "fruit and vegetable show".
2. From the field to the table: The agricultural and cultural journey of winter melon.
Winter melon is not only a frequent guest on our table, but also a legend that spans thousands of years of culture and farming history. From the germination of seeds to the fattening of pots, there is a profound agricultural technology and economic value behind it.
Let's first talk about the agricultural technology of winter melon. As a doctor of agronomy who pursues quality, I will tell you that the success or failure of winter melon lies in the technology of cultivation. For example, the choice of soil, winter melon prefers fertile, well-drained fields, just as gourmets prefer restaurants with style. The fertilization strategy should also be appropriate, with light and fast-growing nitrogen fertilizer and slow and long-lasting phosphorus and potassium fertilizer, just like matching a high-end suit for winter melon, so that it is both energetic and stable during the growth process.
The economic value of winter melon is even more talked about by agronomists. Think about it, a big winter melon can be sold for a good price, which is definitely a lot of income for farmers. Winter melon can also be processed into a variety of products, such as winter melon tea, winter melon sugar, and even beauty products, its value is far more than just a piece of pulp.
At the cultural level, winter melon has a rich symbolic meaning. In ancient times, winter melon represented abundance and blessing because of its large size, which was like a symbol of family harmony and a happy life. It also plays an important role in various festivals in our country, becoming an ingredient for blessings and sharing.
Not only that, winter melon also has its place in world agriculture. In tropical regions such as Southeast Asia, winter melon, as a heat-tolerant crop, greatly enriches the diet of local people. In these places, they have cultivated winter melon as an art, maintaining both traditional cultivation methods and the introduction of modern agricultural techniques.
3. The wisdom of life in farming.
In the world of winter melon, the difficulties and challenges I encountered were like adventures in the course of farming. For example, on that occasion, I found that the melon seedlings on the winter melon vine were not uniform, some were as big as a fist, and some were as small as peanuts. It's hard for me, like a complex equation in a math problem, and I need to unravel the secrets of it.
I followed the wisdom of the countryside and used some practical techniques.
First of all, I adjusted the moisture** to ensure that the soil moisture of the melon vine is uniform, just like mixing a good cup of tea, and the water temperature is just right. Then, I observed the meteorological conditions and chose to fertilize when the weather was fine and the temperature was suitable, so that the winter melon could enjoy the "food" in the best environment.
Of course, I also take into account the influence of Feng Shui and geographical location. When choosing a site, I will find a place with a leeward and sunny side, so that the winter melon can enjoy the most abundant sunlight and the gentlest wind. This little bit of caution is like a pot of auspicious plants placed at home, which is both beautiful and brings good luck.
These strategies and bits and pieces of the thinking process are integrated into my love and experience of agricultural life. It is these little wisdoms in life that have made me a good harvest in the field and made me reap endless fun on the road of farming.
All in all, the pruning of winter melon is not only a technical operation, but also a philosophy of life. In this green field, every detail contains wisdom and stories, which are what everyone who loves agriculture and agriculture, and even everyone who respects life should taste and cherish.