1. Introduction
Xiangmi 900 is a thin-skinned melon variety developed by the scientific team in Nanma Town, Wuyuan County, Shandong Province. It was originally bred from the American apple melon and reached a weight of 900 grams during its initial production in 2004, hence the name Xiangmi 900. This melon is known for its intense fragrance and high sugar content, which is more than twice that of regular melons, ranging between 20% to 26%.
The growing cycle of Xiangmi 900 lasts approximately 90 to 100 days. It has strong growth, good disease resistance, and can be cultivated across major melon-producing regions in China. The average weight of a single melon is around 600 grams, with some reaching up to 900 grams. The yield per mu (approximately 0.067 hectares) is typically around 4,000 kg, and in high-yield areas, it can exceed 6,000 kg. The fruit is nearly round, with white and green flesh, crisp texture, rich flavor, and a sweetness similar to honey. The skin is thin yet tough, resistant to cracking, and the stem remains attached even after harvesting. It can be stored at room temperature for up to 20 days without falling off, and the harvest season can last as long as six weeks.
2. Vine Growth and Melon Formation
The main vine develops first, followed by lateral vines, which then produce secondary vines. Female flowers are less common on the main vine but appear earlier on the side vines, leading to larger and faster-growing melons. To encourage better development, farmers often use topping techniques to promote lateral vine growth.
Xiangmi 900 exhibits strong branching characteristics. If not pruned, the plant tends to grow long tendrils rather than producing melons. When the main vine has 4 to 5 leaves, topping is done to stimulate the growth of side vines. Usually, 10 to 14 leaves are left on the side vines for fruiting. After the melon sets, the upper new growth is removed. Once a melon is selected, 10 to 12 leaves are retained near the fruiting area. For the side vines, only 1 to 2 leaves are kept to prevent excessive growth. After the main vine is topped, removing the lower side vines helps reduce nutrient consumption and improves 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 beets, cabbages, rapeseed, sunflowers, and soybeans. Before planting, the field should be deeply plowed, leveled, and ridged to ensure proper drainage and root development.
3.2 Planting Seasons: Xiangmi 900 prefers warm temperatures, high sunlight, and large day-night temperature differences, but is sensitive to cold and excess moisture. Cultivation can be scheduled in autumn-winter or winter-spring seasons.
3.2.1 Autumn-Winter Sowing: From early June to early August, with harvesting from mid to late October. During this period, the summer heat increases the risk of viral diseases caused by aphids and whiteflies. Therefore, shading, cooling, and flood control measures are essential during the seedling stage to prevent disease outbreaks.
3.2.2 Winter-Spring Sowing: From late December to early January, with harvesting from late April to early May. This period offers ideal conditions—high temperatures, sufficient light, and large temperature differences—leading to high yields and quality fruits.
3.3 Fertilization and Irrigation: Apply 5,000 kg of farmyard manure, 2,000 kg of chicken manure, and 100 kg of superphosphate as base fertilizer per mu. After transplanting, apply 50–75 kg of cake fertilizer per square meter, along with 20 kg of NPK compound fertilizer. During fruit enlargement, spray 0.2% potassium dihydrogen phosphate 2–3 times. Xiangmi 900 is drought-tolerant, so water management is crucial. Water should be controlled during the seedling stage, and irrigation should be increased before flowering to promote vine growth. Watering should be adjusted before and after fruit set to maintain optimal conditions.
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 days at noon when there is no dew. Avoid pruning in the morning or on rainy days, as wounds may not heal properly and increase disease risk. Use two methods: Ziman pruning involves cutting back to 4 leaves when the plant has 5 leaves, allowing 4 vines to grow. If any vines do not bear fruit, they can be cut back with 1–2 leaves. After fruiting, pruning is usually stopped unless the vines become too long, in which case leaves near the fruit should be retained. The single-vine method involves topping the main vine at 4–5 leaves, selecting one strong vine to grow as the main vine, and removing others. Side vines with female flowers should be topped after 2 leaves, while those without fruit should be pruned to prevent overgrowth.
3.6 Factors Affecting Fruit Setting: Poor fruit setting is often due to excessive vegetative growth and insufficient reproductive development. To address this, control the number of vines, prune timely, and remove excess vines to promote balanced growth.
3.7 Pest Control: Practices such as raised beds, organic fertilization, proper watering, and regular soil cultivation can 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 Tips
For successful pollination of Xiangmi 900, collect fresh male flowers on the same day. When the pollen starts to shed, carefully remove the corolla to expose the stamens and gently apply them to the stigma of an open female flower. Alternatively, use a brush to collect pollen from a male flower and transfer it to a newly opened female flower. Ensure there is no dew on the flowers during the process. On cloudy days, cover the flowers to protect them from rain.
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