【2022夏日系列 Summer Series - 2】瓜類整蔓與追肥 Trimming and Fertilization of Gourds（閲讀時間：2分鐘 / Reading Time: 2 minutes）

大多數瓜類都是一年生植物，喜肥，枝條旺盛。因此很多種植者都非常在意整蔓和施肥的技巧。先來看看一些整蔓和施肥原則吧。

Many cucurbitaceae gourds are annual plants. They love rich soil, and usually have flourishing vines. This is why trimming and fertilizing are top concerns of many farming beginners.

整蔓的原則 Principles of Trimming

為瓜類修剪整蔓的主要好處有二。對植株生長的好處，還有對結果好處。
對於植株來説，整蔓可以增加通風，減低病害發生的機率，也可以增加植株採光，使葉片維持良好光合作用。
對結果來説，整蔓可以讓養分集中，從而促進坐果，讓果實肥大或增進產量。
不過，整蔓的對象應該是側芽、側枝，緊記切勿過分修剪葉片，否則也有可能導致光合作用不足，影響植株生長。

There are two main benefits of trimming the vines of your gourd. It is good for the growth of the plant, and good for fruiting.
For the growth, trimming can result in better ventilization, therefore lowering the risks of diseases, while also encourage intake of sunlight for photosynthesis.
For the fruit, trimming allows concentration of nutrients to the fruit that you aim to harvest, better fruit setting, thus a tastier fruit or higher volumne of harvest.
However, it is important to remember that your trimming target are the lateral shoots. Do not trim too many leaves, otherwise it will also decrease the functioning of photosynthesis.

施肥的原則 Principles of Fertilization

大部分瓜類都是喜肥的，尤其是冬瓜。除了基肥需要充足，還有3個基本追肥時期：定植緩苗（根部開始緩發）後、開花結果期、果實膨大期需要追肥。瓜類品種可採取薄肥多施的策略，但對大部分冬瓜品種則相對上需要施重肥。

看看以下這些根據高華花園的經驗所整理，針對個別品種的整蔓及施肥貼士吧！

Gourds love nutrients! Especially Wax Gourd (Wintermelon). Apart from basal fertilizer, you are advised to side-dress your gourd in the following 3 stages: when it starts to develop roots after transplant, during its blooming period, and when your fruit starts to swell. You can apply fertilizer with small amount but frequently, except for Wax Gourd which needs relatively heavy fertilization.

Take a look at some of our tips from experience!

進行整蔓可以降低田間病害發生 Pruning can prevent the risks of diseases

各種瓜類的整蔓與施肥 Moving On to Each Species

西瓜 Watermelon 

高華種子的西瓜品種都是在華南地區所育的品種，因此較耐濕耐雨水。

• 整蔓：留2~3蔓，約12節後開始留瓜。一株可坐2~3個果
• 追肥：果實膨大期追肥，可多追2-3次薄肥

Our collections of watermelon is a seed breed collection cultivated in Southern China, thus are relatively tolerant to humid and rain.

• Trimming: Keep 2~3 vines, set fruit after 12th nodes. 2~3 fruits can be set with one plant.
• Side dressing: 2~3 times when your fruit starts to swell. Watermelon does not require heavy fertilizer

南瓜 Pumpkin

與西瓜一樣，為華南地區所育品種，較耐濕耐雨水。南瓜種植上需要注意避免晚間街燈以利雌花開花

• 整蔓：3蔓整枝
• 追肥：佳佳、美美於坐果膨大期建議追肥1-2次，麗麗如果基肥充足則追肥分量可以減少

Same as watermelon, our pumpkin collection is also cultivated in Southern China, tolerant to humid and rain. Avoid too much light (including street light) for female flowers to bloom.

• Trimming: Keep 3 vines
• Side dressing: KaiKai and MeiMei may require side-dressing 1~2 times, LaiLai may require relatively less side-dressing if plently of basal fertilizer was applied. 

冬瓜 Wax Gourd

• 小冬瓜茉莉 整蔓
  主側蔓均可坐果。前期以主蔓坐果爲主，摘除第一雌花（50-70cm）以下所有側蔓，壓蔓。約10~12節開始留瓜，一株可坐4-5個果
• 冬瓜162 整蔓
  主蔓坐果，10~12節開始留瓜，壓蔓。一株可坐2~3個果
• 追肥
  基肥應氮磷鉀齊全，鉀氮稍高，就好像我們的有機肥一樣。定植緩苗後施1-2次薄肥。開花前施用磷鉀肥、硼肥。坐果後可追1-2次重肥

• Wax Gourd Jasmine Trimming
  Although Wax Gourd Jasmine can be set both on main or secondary vines, but it is advised to prioritize the main vine at the early stage of your plant. Remove all lateral shoot underneath the first female flowers (50-70cm). Allow nodes to stay close to the earth in order to develop more roots for nuitrients obsorption. Set fruit starting at 10~12th node, 4~5 fruits can be set
  
• Wax Gourd 162
  Fruit set on main vine, set fruit starting at 10~12th node. A maximum of 2~3 fruits can be set
• Side-dressing
  Basal fertilizer should be composed of Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), with greater proportion of N and K, like our organic fertilizer. After plants recovered from transplant, you can apply thin layers of fertilizers for one to two times. Add P, K, and boron before blooming. 1~2 times of heavier side-dressing is recommended after fruit set.

節瓜 Hair Gourd

黃瓜、青瓜 Cucumber、苦瓜 Bitter Gourd

不要錯過最佳套袋時機 Look out for the right time to save your gourds from fruit flies

苦瓜和青瓜需要套上網袋 Bitter gourd and cucumber are most susceptible to fruit fly

絲瓜 Ridge Gourd

絲瓜的雌花 Female flowers of ridge gourd

更多培苗與種植資訊

我們正在持續更新種植及作物留種資訊。如果想知道更多，可以到我們的種子部落分頁瀏覽更多。下次，我們再來談談收成吧！

We are constantly updating our growing and seed stocking experiences. Check out our SEED BLOG. Let's talk about harvesting next time!