When planting watermelons, different types of fertilizers should be chosen according to different growth stages. Farmers need to grasp the fertilization characteristics of watermelons to know which nutrients the plants emphasize at different growth stages, and then use fertilizers reasonably. So, what fertilizer makes watermelon sweetest? Let's find out together.
1. Nitrogen Fertilizer
Nitrogen is an essential element for the growth and development of watermelons, promoting lush foliage. However, excessive nitrogen fertilizer during the growth period can delay watermelon flowering and affect its quality. Watermelons prefer nitrate nitrogen fertilizers such as calcium nitrate, but try to use less ammonium nitrate because it has a certain impact on the absorption of calcium and magnesium by plants, and excessive ammonium nitrogen can easily cause plant damage.
2. Phosphorus Fertilizer
Phosphorus can promote the development of watermelon roots and increase the sugar content of watermelon flesh, making it sweeter. If watermelon plants lack phosphorus, it can lead to delayed flowering and problems like flower and fruit drop.
3. Potassium Fertilizer
Potassium fertilizer can promote the vigor and toughness of plant vines, and improve their resistance to wind and disease. A potassium deficiency can reduce the plant's stress resistance, especially during the fruit setting period of watermelons, where a potassium deficiency can hinder nutrient synthesis and transport, resulting in slow fruit setting and smaller fruits.
4. Precautions
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Apply nitrogen fertilizer, potassium fertilizer, micronutrients, and other fertilizers appropriately. Nitrogen is an essential element for the growth and development of watermelons. However, excessive nitrogen can lead to vigorous growth of stems and leaves, overlapping of stems and leaves, weakening of photosynthesis, and mismatch between nutrient growth and development, leading to poor fruit setting and affecting watermelon yield. Therefore, the amount of nitrogen fertilizer should be moderate.
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Potassium is a large amount of element required throughout the life of a watermelon. Potassium can promote the transport of photosynthetic products, increase watermelon yield and quality. Therefore, adding potassium fertilizer to watermelons is more important.
Above is the introduction to what fertilizer makes watermelon sweetest. Organic fertilizers should be the mainstay for watermelon fertilization, with chemical fertilizers as supplements. The use of organic fertilizers can not only improve soil structure and provide nutrients but also enhance the sweetness and quality of watermelons.
