High-coldly exposed vegetable marrow cultivation techniques
Rolence Enterprise Inc. , https://www.rolencedent.com
In high-altitude areas where cold weather is an advantage, summer squash can be planted from late May to early June, allowing the crop to be available in the market from late July to early August. This timing places the harvest during a period when summer squash is typically out of season in many regions, creating a favorable market opportunity. On average, 667 square meters can yield over 4,000 kilograms, with an estimated value of around 1,500 yuan per unit area. The following are detailed cultivation techniques:
1. **Variety Selection**
Choose the French Tezier variety "Tianyu Zucchini," known for its resistance to viruses such as watermelon mosaic virus, cucumber mosaic virus, and zucchini yellow spot virus. It has long, melon-shaped fruits, medium green skin, excellent commercial value, and strong plant growth with high yields.
2. **Cultivation Techniques**
2.1 **Preparation Before Planting**
- Select well-drained, fertile loam soil that has not been used for melon crops recently.
- Apply 3–5 m³ of fully decomposed organic fertilizer, along with 80 kg of U.S.-produced diammonium phosphate or 50 kg of Israeli or Chilean granular potassium nitrate compound fertilizer. Add 1.5–2.5 kg of trace elements.
- Use a combination of surface spreading and trench fertilization. Spread 60% of the fertilizer on the ground, then mix the remaining 40% into the soil at the planned planting rows after deep plowing (30 cm).
- To control soil pests, apply a "soil pest killer" to reduce damage.
2.2 **Seedling Cultivation**
- **Soaking and Germination**: Soak seeds in warm water (30°C) for 4–6 hours, dry them, wrap in a wet towel, and germinate at 28–30°C. When sprouts reach 0.2–0.4 cm, they can be sown. If unsure, direct sowing of dry seeds is also possible.
- **Nutrient Soil Preparation**: Mix disease-free soil with aged farmyard manure (non-melon crops) in a ratio of 3:7 to 4:6. Ensure the manure is fully decomposed and thoroughly mixed with soil, then sieve and place in 10 cm x 10 cm pots. Water with an appropriate amount of pesticide (e.g., phoxim) to control underground pests, and spray Green Heng 1 (3000 times dilution) to prevent seedling diseases.
- **Nursery Sowing**: In high-cold areas, sow seeds in mid-to-late May. Place seeds in the center of a small furrow, cover with 2 cm of moist fine soil, and cover with plastic film and insect netting to prevent virus transmission.
- **Temperature Control**: After sowing, maintain temperatures between 25–30°C during the day and 18–20°C at night. Once seedlings emerge, gradually lower the temperature to 25°C during the day and 13–14°C at night. Two weeks before transplanting, reduce night temperatures to 10–12°C.
- **Water Management**: Avoid excessive watering unless there's drought. 8–10 days before transplanting, cool the seedlings to 15–25°C during the day and 6–8°C at night to acclimate them to outdoor conditions.
2.3 **Transplanting**
Before transplanting, spray "Aketai" or "a net once" to prevent aphids and whiteflies. Transplant when seedlings have 2 leaves and 1 heart. Use a large row spacing of 140 cm, small row of 40 cm, and plant spacing of 50 cm. Plant using a triangular method to optimize space, light, and air circulation. Cover with black mulch film to reduce humidity, retain moisture, and minimize pests and diseases.
2.4 **Post-Planting Management**
- **Early Growth Phase**: From planting to fruiting (about 20–25 days), focus on water control, root strengthening, pruning, and disease prevention. Water only if necessary, and apply base fertilizer (500 kg of manure or urine nitrate per 10–15 kg per 667 m²) to promote growth. Avoid overwatering to prevent excessive vegetative growth and fruit drop.
- **Fertilizer and Watering During Fruiting**: When fruits are about 10 cm in size, combine top-dressing with watering. Apply 10–15 kg of diammonium or triple compound fertilizer per 667 m². After harvesting, apply 20–25 kg of potassium sulfate or triple compound fertilizer. Water every 3–5 days.
- **Vine Management**: Guide vines in one direction for better air and light access. Thin out excess fruits if growth is weak to avoid fruit drop. Remove diseased or old leaves to improve ventilation and reduce disease risk.
- **Pollination**: If natural pollination is insufficient, perform artificial pollination.
- **Harvesting**: Harvest continuously from the main vine. Early harvest is crucial to avoid affecting upper fruits and to maximize yield. Best time to harvest is in the morning, being careful not to damage the plant or miss tender fruits.
2.5 **Pest and Disease Control**
- **Insect Control**:
- **Aphids**: Spray 10% imidacloprid wettable powder (5–10 g/667 m²), 80% dichlorvos EC (1500–2000 times), or 2.5% deltamethrin EC (1000–1500 times).
- **Whiteflies**: Use 10% imidacloprid or 3% acetamiprid WP (1000–1500 times), or 25% AKT (3000–5000 times).
- **Liriomyza sativae**: Apply 1.8% abamectin EC (3000 times) or 5% Ruijinte suspension (17–34 ml/667 m²).
- **Disease Control**:
- **Downy Mildew**: Use 72.2% Previcur 800 times, 72% Kocide wettable powder 800 times, or 69% Anke Zinc wettable powder 500–1000 times.
- **Viral Diseases**: Spray 5% bacteriostatic solution (400 times), 0.5% antitoxic agent No. 1 (300 times), or 20% Poison Buster WP (400–500 times).
By following these methods, farmers can achieve high-quality and high-yield summer squash production in high-altitude areas, capitalizing on the off-season market demand.