To achieve high yields in watermelon cultivation, proper seedling management and the cultivation of high-quality seedlings are essential. However, various seedling problems, such as vine high-feet seedlings, often occur during seedling cultivation due to improper management. So, how can you prevent and treat vine high-feet seedlings? Let's find out.
Symptoms of Vine High-Feet Seedlings in Watermelon
The main symptoms of vine high-feet seedlings in watermelon include: thin and elongated stems, light-colored and small cotyledons, and light green leaves. The main cause is excessive humidity, high temperature, insufficient light, or overcrowding in the seedbed. Vine high-feet seedlings are prone to nutrient deficiency, slow leaf emergence, small and thin leaves, easy lodging, poor stress resistance, and susceptibility to disease and death.
Causes of Vine High-Feet Seedlings in Watermelon
The main causes of vine high-feet seedlings in watermelon occur during the period from seedling emergence to the emergence of true leaves. High temperatures, excessive humidity, insufficient light, overcrowded seedlings, and small seedling cups can lead to excessive elongation of the hypocotyl.
Prevention and Treatment of Vine High-Feet Seedlings in Watermelon
-
Temperature Control: Maintain the seedbed temperature at around 30°C before emergence, and reduce it to 20°C-25°C during the day and 17°C-18°C at night after emergence to prevent excessive elongation.
-
Increased Light Exposure: Supplement light for watermelon seedlings in well-lit areas to suppress stem and leaf growth, thus avoiding vine high-feet seedlings.
-
Moisture Control: Strictly control water in the substrate after sowing to keep the soil moderately dry and ensure proper drainage to avoid excessive seedbed humidity.
-
Ventilation: Ventilate the seedbed after 80% of emergence and increase ventilation 7-10 days before planting to gradually reduce temperature and prevent excessive elongation.
-
Medication: Treat vine high-feet seedlings with growth regulators such as paclobutrazol. Apply a 2000-3000-fold dilution of paclobutrazol spray to slow nutrient growth.
In conclusion, vine high-feet seedlings, also known as watermelon excessive elongation seedlings, are a common abnormal phenomenon during watermelon seedling cultivation. However, they can be effectively prevented and treated by controlling temperature, moisture, increasing light exposure, and applying medication.
