As a vegetable with rich nutrition and unique taste, pumpkin is deeply loved by people. However, in order for pumpkins to grow well and produce high yields, they need to be provided with adequate nutrients. So, what nutrients do pumpkins need? How should fertilizer be applied?
The Growth Habits And Nutrient Requirements Of Pumpkins
Pumpkin is a creeping plant with developed roots and strong ability to absorb fertilizer. They prefer warm, humid conditions and are tolerant of drought but not waterlogging. During the growth process, pumpkin has a large demand for nutrients, especially nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, the three main nutrients.
Nitrogen is the basic element of pumpkin growth, which can promote the growth of pumpkin leaves and improve the efficiency of photosynthesis, thereby increasing the yield of pumpkin. Phosphorus plays an important role in the root development, fruit and fruit formation of pumpkin, and can improve the stress resistance and quality of pumpkin. Potassium contributes to the expansion of the fruit and the accumulation of sugar, making the pumpkin taste better.
In addition to nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, pumpkins also need moderate elements such as calcium, magnesium, sulfur, and trace elements such as iron, manganese, zinc, and copper. These elements, while less in demand, are equally vital for the growth and development of pumpkins.
Pumpkin Fertilization Principle
Fertilizing pumpkins should follow the following principles:
1. Adequate base fertilizer: Before pumpkin colonization, adequate base fertilizer should be applied to provide sufficient nutrient reserve for pumpkin growth.
2. Topdressing should be timely: In the growth process of pumpkin, it should be timely topdressing according to its growth stage and nutrient needs to meet the growth needs of pumpkin.
3. Nutrients should be balanced: When fertilizing, attention should be paid to the balanced supply of nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and so on, to avoid the partial application of nitrogen fertilizer leading to the growth of pumpkins or quality decline.
4. The method should be appropriate: the method of applying fertilizer should be applied in trenches, holes, etc., and the fertilizer should be applied near the root system of pumpkin to improve the utilization rate of fertilizer.
Pumpkin Fertilization Method
Base fertilizer
The base fertilizer is the basis of pumpkin growth, and the mixed application of decomposed organic fertilizer and compound fertilizer should be selected. Organic fertilizer can improve soil structure and increase soil water and fertilizer retention capacity. Compound fertilizer can provide a variety of nutrients needed for pumpkin growth.
1. The selection of organic fertilizer: Organic fertilizer can choose cow manure, pig manure, chicken manure and other farm fertilizers, these fertilizers have comprehensive nutrients and lasting fertilizer effect. However, it should be fully decomposed before use to avoid burning roots or introducing pests and diseases.
Cow manure fertilizer effect is mild, rich in organic matter and microorganisms, suitable for pumpkin as the base fertilizer. When used, the cow manure can be mixed with the soil and then applied.
The nutrient content of pig manure is higher, but the fertilizer effect is faster, which easily leads to the growth of pumpkin. Therefore, appropriate control should be used to avoid excessive application.
Chicken manure is rich in nutrients, but high in salt and easy to burn roots. When used, it should be fully decomposed and evenly mixed with the soil before applying.
2. Selection of compound fertilizer: Compound fertilizer can be used with a nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium ratio of 15-15-15 or 16-8-24 compound fertilizer, which is balanced in nutrients and can meet the needs of pumpkin growth.
When used, compound fertilizer and organic fertilizer can be mixed evenly and applied, and the amount per mu is generally 50-100 kg.
Topdressing
Topdressing should be done according to the growth stage and nutrient requirements of the pumpkin. In general, pumpkin topdressing can be divided into the following stages:
1. Topdressing at seedling stage: When the pumpkin seedlings grow to 3-4 true leaves, the first topdressing can be carried out. At this time, nitrogen fertilizer should be mainly used to promote the growth of pumpkin leaves and photosynthesis. Each mu can be applied urea 5-10 kg or compound fertilizer 15-20 kg.
2. Topdressing during the extension period: When the pumpkin vine grows to about 1 meter, the second topdressing can be carried out. At this time, nitrogen fertilizer and potassium fertilizer should be mainly used to promote the growth of pumpkin vine and fruit development. Each mu can be applied urea 10-15 kg, potassium sulfate 10-15 kg or compound fertilizer 25-30 kg.
3. Topdressing during flowering and fruit setting: During the flowering and fruit setting period, pumpkin should be topdressing for a third time. At this time, phosphorus fertilizer and potassium fertilizer should be mainly used to promote the formation of fruit and fruit expansion of pumpkin. Per mu can be applied superphosphate 20-30 kg, potassium sulfate 15-20 kg or compound fertilizer 30-40 kg.
4. Topdressing during the fruit expansion stage: During the pumpkin fruit expansion stage, the fourth topdressing should be carried out. At this time, potassium fertilizer should be the main fertilizer, supplemented by nitrogen and phosphate fertilizer, to promote the expansion of pumpkin fruit and the accumulation of sugar. Each mu can be applied potassium sulfate 20-30 kg, urea 5-10 kg or compound fertilizer 30-40 kg.
In addition to the above four topdressing, topdressing can also be supplemented according to the growth of pumpkins and soil nutrient conditions. If the soil is deficient in trace elements such as zinc and iron, the corresponding trace element fertilizer can be sprayed on the leaf surface to supplement.
Foliar fertilization
Foliar fertilization is a method of applying fertilizer directly on the pumpkin leaves with a sprayer after the fertilizer is dissolved in water. Leaf fertilization has the advantages of fast nutrient absorption, high utilization rate and less amount, especially in the late growth period of pumpkin or when the root absorption capacity is weakened.
1. Selection of foliar fertilizer: foliar fertilizer can choose potassium dihydrogen phosphate, urea, amino acid foliar fertilizer, humic acid foliar fertilizer. These fertilizers can provide a variety of nutrients required for pumpkin growth and promote the growth and development of pumpkins.
Potassium dihydrogen phosphate is a kind of efficient phosphorus potassium compound fertilizer, which can promote the expansion of pumpkin fruit and the accumulation of sugar. When used, potassium dihydrogen phosphate can be diluted into an aqueous solution of 0.2%-0.3% for spray.
Urea is a commonly used nitrogen fertilizer, which can promote the growth of pumpkin leaves and photosynthesis. When used, urea can be diluted into an aqueous solution of 0.5% to 1% for spraying.
Amino acid foliar fertilizer and humic acid foliar fertilizer is rich in various amino acids and humic acid components, which can improve the quality and taste of pumpkin. When using, it can be sprayed according to the recommended dosage of the product manual.
2. Precautions for foliar fertilization: foliar fertilization should be carried out in the morning or afternoon on a sunny day, and spray should be avoided in the high temperature period at noon to avoid burning the leaves. Spray should be evenly sprayed, so that both sides of the leaves can fully absorb nutrients. The number and amount of leaf fertilization should be based on the growth of pumpkins and soil nutrient conditions, generally every 7-10 days spray once, continuous spray 2-3 times.
The Common Problems And Solutions Of Pumpkin Fertilization
In the process of fertilizing pumpkins, we often encounter some problems, such as burning roots, fruitlessness, and deficiency diseases. If these problems are not solved in time, they will affect the growth and yield of pumpkins. Here are some solutions to these problems:
1. Root burning: Root burning is root damage caused by excessive fertilization or excessive fertilizer concentration. It is manifested as yellow and wilting of pumpkin leaves, and root rot in severe cases. The solution is to stop fertilizing, wash the fertilizer residue in the soil with clean water, and strengthen ventilation to reduce soil temperature. If the burning root is serious, it is necessary to change the soil or transplant in time.
2. Fruitlessness: Fruitlessness is due to the overgrowth of pumpkin caused by the partial application of nitrogen fertilizer, which is manifested as hypertrophy of leaves, excessively long internodes, and scarce flowers and fruits. The solution is to reduce the amount of nitrogen fertilizer, increase the amount of phosphate fertilizer and potassium fertilizer, in order to control the growth rate of pumpkin, promote the formation of flowers and fruits. At the same time, the core can be appropriately picked and topped to reduce the number of leaves and reduce the intensity of photosynthesis.
3. Deficiency syndrome: Deficiency syndrome is the abnormal growth of pumpkin due to the deficiency of one or more nutrients in the soil. The symptoms were yellowing, curling, spotting and necrosis of the leaves. The solution is to diagnose the deficient nutrient elements according to the deficiency symptoms, and supplement the corresponding fertilizer. If iron is deficient, ferrous sulfate solution can be sprayed on the leaf surface; Zinc sulfate solution can be sprayed on the leaf surface for zinc deficiency. Calcium deficiency can be sprayed with calcium chloride solution on the leaf surface. At the same time, soil management should be strengthened, soil structure should be improved, and soil water and fertilizer retention capacity should be enhanced.
Conclusion
Fertilizing pumpkins is a complex and meticulous work that requires scientific and reasonable fertilization according to the growth habits and nutrient needs of pumpkins. The yield and quality of pumpkin can be significantly improved by applying full bottom fertilizer, timely topdressing, nutrient balance and proper methods. At the same time, attention should also be paid to solving common problems in the fertilization process, such as burning roots, fruitlessness, and deficiency diseases, to ensure the normal growth and development of pumpkins. I hope the above content can provide useful reference and help to the majority of pumpkin growers.
Related topics: