High-yielding Cultivation Techniques of Pumpkin Seedlings
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Pumpkin seedlings, once a rare delicacy, have gradually gained popularity in both urban and rural markets in recent years. These tender young shoots, including the stems, leaves, petioles, and even flower buds, are rich in nutrients and offer a unique, slightly sweet flavor. What makes them particularly appealing is that they can be grown without the need for chemical pesticides, making them a naturally healthy and eco-friendly food option.
To successfully cultivate pumpkin seedlings, follow these key steps:
1. **Select the Right Variety**
It's important to choose the right type of pumpkin for seedling production. Varieties like pillow melon, long melon, and dahongpao are ideal because they produce longer, more tender shoots. Avoid short varieties, as they tend to be less productive and harder to harvest.
2. **Soak and Germinate Seeds**
Start by sun-drying the seeds for two days. Then, place them in 50°C hot water and stir continuously until the temperature drops to around 30°C. Soak the seeds for 15–20 minutes, then let them cool naturally. Continue soaking for 7–12 hours. Afterward, keep the seeds at about 30°C for germination, which usually takes about two days.
3. **Prepare the Soil**
Choose well-drained soil with a low water table and good fertility. Create raised beds 1.5 meters wide, with trenches 30 cm wide and 15–20 cm deep on all sides to ensure proper drainage.
4. **Sow Seeds Timely**
To extend the harvesting period, planting typically begins in March and can continue in batches until August. Plant seeds 20 cm apart in rows, with 10 cm between each hole. Place two seeds per hole, water after sowing, and cover with 2 cm of nutrient-rich soil.
5. **Fertilize Properly**
Apply a generous amount of base fertilizer before planting—around 2,000–2,500 kg of decomposed cow manure or 2,500–3,000 kg of composted farm waste per acre, along with 20 kg of phosphate fertilizer. After sowing, thoroughly water the bed with decomposed manure or biogas slurry, then cover with mulch. Keep the seedlings under the plastic film to maintain warmth and moisture. Regular side-dressing with decomposed manure or livestock manure ensures continuous growth and promotes the development of tender shoots. After each harvest, apply a nitrogen-rich fertilizer to encourage new axillary buds.
6. **Harvest at the Right Time**
When the seedlings reach 40 cm in height with 5–6 true leaves, you can begin harvesting. Cut the top portion, leaving 1–2 true leaves at the base to allow regrowth. Harvest again when the axillary buds grow to 40 cm. To boost yield and improve quality, spray a 80 mg/kg "920" solution 5–7 days before each harvest. This not only increases production by over 30% but also reduces the formation of coarse fibers, keeping the seedlings soft and tender. The result is a consistently high-quality product that’s both visually appealing and delicious.