1. Introduction
Xiangmi 900 is a type of thin-skinned melon that was developed by the scientific staff at Nanma Town, Wuyuan County, Shandong Province. It was bred from the American apple melon and was named Xiangmi 900 due to its impressive weight of around 900 grams during the initial production in 2004.
This variety is known for its rich fragrance and high sugar content, which can be more than twice that of regular melons, ranging between 20% to 26%. The fruit has a short growing period of about 90 to 100 days and exhibits strong growth and disease resistance, making it suitable for cultivation across various melon-producing regions in China.
The average weight of a single Xiangmi 900 melon is approximately 600 grams, with some reaching up to 900 grams. Yield per mu (approximately 667 square meters) typically ranges from 4,000 kg to over 6,000 kg. The fruit is nearly round, with white and green flesh that is crisp, flavorful, and sweet like honey. Its thin but tough skin prevents cracking, and the stem remains attached even after long storage, allowing the fruit to stay fresh for up to 20 days at room temperature. The harvesting season can last as long as six weeks.
2. Growth Habits and Vine Development
The main vine grows first, followed by lateral vines, which in turn produce secondary vines. Female flowers tend to appear later on the main vine, while those on the lateral vines develop earlier and result in larger, faster-growing fruits. Therefore, many growers use a topping method to encourage the development of lateral or secondary vines.
Xiangmi 900 has strong branching tendencies. If not pruned, the plant may produce long vines without forming fruits. When the main vine reaches 4 to 5 leaves, topping is performed to stimulate side vine growth. Typically, 10 to 14 leaves are left on the side vines, and once fruit sets, the upper shoots are removed. After selecting the fruit-bearing section, 10 to 12 leaves are retained. On the side vines where fruits are left, only 1 to 2 leaves are kept to prevent excessive growth. Once the main vine's tip is removed, pruning the base of the side vines helps reduce nutrient consumption and improve air circulation.
3. Cultivation Techniques
3.1 Soil Selection: Xiangmi 900 thrives in deep, well-drained sandy loam or mountain soil rich in organic matter. It should be planted after crops like wheat, corn, or sorghum, avoiding previous crops such as beets, cabbages, rapeseed, sunflowers, or soybeans. Before planting, the field should be deeply plowed, leveled, and ridged to ensure good drainage and aeration.
3.2 Planting Seasons: This melon prefers warm weather, ample sunlight, and a large day-night temperature difference. It is best planted in autumn-winter or winter-spring seasons. For autumn-winter planting, sowing takes place from early June to early August, with harvest occurring in mid-to-late October. During this time, the risk of viral diseases caused by aphids is higher, so shading, cooling, and water management are essential. Winter-spring planting occurs from late December to early January, with harvest from late April to early May. This period offers ideal conditions for high yield and quality.
3.3 Fertilization and Irrigation: Apply 5,000 kg of farmyard manure, 2,000 kg of chicken manure, and 100 kg of superphosphate per mu as base fertilizer. After transplanting, apply 50–75 kg of cake fertilizer per square meter and 20 kg of NPK compound fertilizer. During fruit enlargement, spray 0.2% potassium dihydrogen phosphate 2–3 times. Xiangmi 900 does not tolerate excessive moisture. Watering should be controlled, especially during the seedling stage. Watering should be increased before flowering to promote vine growth, and again before and after fruit set.
3.4 Seed Treatment: Soak seeds in a 50% carbendazim WP solution diluted 500–600 times for 15 minutes, then rinse and soak in 30°C warm water for 3–4 hours. Dry the seeds before sowing. Use 0.2–0.3 kg of seeds per mu, with a spacing of 50–70 cm between plants.
3.5 Pruning Methods: Prune on sunny afternoons when there is no dew, as wet conditions can delay wound healing and increase disease risk. Use the Ziman pruning method: when the plant has 5 leaves, retain 4 and remove the rest. After 4 days, draw out 4 vines from the remaining leaves. If certain vines do not bear fruit, they can be cut back with 1–2 leaves. No further pruning is needed once fruits begin to form, unless vines become too long, in which case leaves before the fruit section can be removed. For the single vine method, top the main vine when it has 4–5 leaves, and keep one strong side vine while removing others. For side vines with female flowers, keep 2 leaves and top them; for those without, trim the tips beyond 1 meter to prevent excessive growth.
3.6 Factors Affecting Fruit Setting: Poor fruit setting is often due to excessive vegetative growth. To address this, control the number of vines, prune excess vines promptly, and remove unnecessary vines to promote better fruit development.
3.7 Pest Control: Practices such as raised bed planting, adding organic fertilizer, proper watering, and timely soil cultivation can help reduce disease incidence. For downy mildew, use 70% EB Phosphate wettable powder diluted 700 times, or 72% Kocide 800 times. For leaf blight, apply 50% Dafudan or 40% Can dan wettable powder diluted 500–600 times.
4. Pollination Notes
When pollinating Xiangmi 900, it’s important to note that male flowers bloom on the same day. When the pollen begins to release, gently remove the corolla of the male flower to expose the stamens and apply them lightly to the stigma of an open female flower. Alternatively, use a brush to collect pollen from the male flower and transfer it to the female flower that has opened that day. Ensure no dew is present during the process. In case of cloudy weather, cover the plants to protect against rain.
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