How to Graft Watermelon onto Pumpkin

Introduction

Both watermelon and pumpkin are popular fruits with sweet flavors. Interestingly, watermelon can be grafted onto pumpkin. Below, we will explore the methods for grafting watermelon onto pumpkin.

Benefits of Grafting Watermelon onto Pumpkin

Grafting watermelon onto pumpkin involves using the root system of the pumpkin to supply nutrients to the watermelon. This technique offers several advantages:

• Reduces the costs associated with crop rotation.

• Promotes efficient land use.

• Enhances cold resistance and increases fruit set rates.

• Improves disease and pest resistance.

• Strengthens the watermelon plant, improves taste, and increases sweetness, making it more marketable.

Grafting Method

1. When the pumpkin plant grows true leaves, remove the growing point.

2. Make a vertical cut about 1 cm deep between the two cotyledons of the pumpkin seedling.

3. Select a watermelon seedling with a stem slightly thinner than the pumpkin rootstock.

4. Shape the watermelon stem into a wedge with uneven thickness on both sides.

5. Insert the watermelon wedge into the cut on the pumpkin rootstock.

6. Wrap the grafting site with plastic film or cotton and secure it tightly.

Alternative Grafting Options for Watermelon

Watermelon can also be grafted onto other plants from the Cucurbitaceae family, such as gourd, pumpkin, and winter melon. Here are some considerations:

• Gourd: High grafting success rate with strong compatibility and stable quality of grafted watermelons.

• Pumpkin: Best for disease resistance, particularly against fusarium wilt. However, it may result in a harder flesh and thicker rind due to higher calcium and magnesium content.

Precautions for Grafting Watermelon

• Disinfection: Spray both scion and rootstock with 75% chlorothalonil (800x dilution) a day before grafting to reduce potential pathogens. Two days after grafting, spray with a mixture of chlorothalonil (800x) and streptomycin sulfate (2000x) to prevent infections.

• Temperature and Humidity: Carefully manage the temperature and humidity in the greenhouse after grafting. Consider setting up a small arch within the greenhouse to facilitate environmental control, ensuring optimal conditions for graft union healing.

Conclusion

Grafting watermelon onto pumpkin offers numerous benefits but also has some drawbacks. There are many potential rootstocks for watermelon grafting, and farmers can choose the best option based on their specific needs.

What is the Best Rootstock for Grafting Watermelon?

Introduction

Grafting watermelon onto a suitable rootstock can improve plant vigor, disease resistance, and fruit quality. The choice of rootstock is critical to achieving these benefits. Below, we will explore the best rootstocks for grafting watermelon.

Gourd Rootstock

Gourd (Lagenaria siceraria) is a popular choice for grafting watermelon due to its strong compatibility and high grafting success rate. Benefits include:

• Stable graft union with minimal incompatibility issues.

• Consistent quality of the grafted watermelon fruits.

• Good disease resistance, especially against fusarium wilt.

Pumpkin Rootstock

Pumpkin (Cucurbita spp.) is another excellent rootstock for watermelon. Advantages of using pumpkin include:

• High disease resistance, particularly to soil-borne diseases like fusarium wilt.

• Enhanced cold tolerance and increased fruit set rates.

• Improved plant vigor, leading to better overall growth and yield.

However, grafting onto pumpkin may result in watermelons with slightly thicker rinds and firmer flesh due to higher calcium and magnesium content in the pumpkin rootstock.

Winter Melon Rootstock

Winter melon (Benincasa hispida) is also used as a rootstock for watermelon. Benefits include:

• Good compatibility and high grafting success rates.

• Strong root system that supports robust plant growth.

• Improved tolerance to water stress and high temperatures.

Considerations for Choosing the Best Rootstock

When selecting the best rootstock for grafting watermelon, consider the following factors:

• Compatibility: Choose a rootstock with proven compatibility to ensure a strong and stable graft union.

• Disease Resistance: Select a rootstock that provides resistance to common diseases in your growing region.

• Environmental Adaptability: Consider the rootstock's tolerance to temperature extremes and soil conditions.

• Impact on Fruit Quality: Evaluate how the rootstock affects the taste, texture, and appearance of the watermelon fruit.

Conclusion

Choosing the best rootstock for grafting watermelon is essential for optimizing plant health, yield, and fruit quality. Gourd, pumpkin, and winter melon are all excellent choices, each offering unique benefits. By considering compatibility, disease resistance, environmental adaptability, and fruit quality, farmers can select the most suitable rootstock for their specific needs.