Schemes and subtleties of grafting watermelon onto pumpkin
There are many varieties of watermelon that are resistant to cold, but it is not possible to achieve the same yield as in the southern regions. Therefore, the method of grafting watermelon onto pumpkin has become popular. This helps to achieve full ripening of the crop even in regions with insufficient heating of the earth.
Why is watermelon grafting needed?
The reason that led to the decision to combine these crops was the weak and too sensitive root system of the watermelon. She is uncomfortable at a temperature of +18°C. Pumpkin is more stable and hardy in cool weather; even at a temperature of +7°C its roots continue to receive nutrition from the soil.
The main advantages of grafting watermelon onto pumpkin:
- resistance to negative environmental factors increases;
- the effect of pathogens that cause crop diseases (fusarium, anthracnose, fungal root rot) is reduced or completely absent;
- the growing season, the rate of development and the ripening time of watermelon increase;
- the number of ovaries and productivity increases;
- it becomes possible to sow early in open ground;
- the need for moisture, heat and soil composition is reduced;
- there is no crop rotation;
- drought resistance appears.
Main disadvantages:
- Not all varieties of pumpkins are suitable;
- Maximum caution is required when grafting;
- fragility of young plants.
What you will need
Prepare for the procedure:
- for cutting: blade, scalpel, sharp knife;
- for dressing: polyethylene strapping tape, thread, bandage, aluminum foil, polyethylene strips;
- special grafting clips or clothespins with a smooth clamping surface;
- for tying: sticks or pegs according to the size of the seedlings.
Tools must be sharp so as not to crush the cells, and clean to prevent the entry of bacteria and dirt. The contact during the cut should be tight, well pressed and securely fixed with a clip.
Reference. A large supply of plants should be grafted, since only a small part of the watermelon survives.
Which pumpkin is best to graft on?
Decorative lagenaria is well suited for grafting watermelons. Many years of grafting on pumpkins have proven that it is lagenaria (ornamental squash from the pumpkin family) that is in great demand and has the necessary properties for grafting watermelons.
The best varieties of watermelon are:
- Chill;
- Astrakhan;
- Chernouska;
- Kherson;
- Korean.
The main advantages of using lagenaria:
- high compatibility of cultures, which helps the grafting take root;
- powerful root system;
- high survival rate even in cold regions;
- increased resistance to watermelon diseases.
It is also possible to graft watermelon onto figoleaf pumpkin and squash. These methods are used less frequently, since their effectiveness is less than that of Lagenaria vaccinations.
How will pumpkin affect watermelon?
Effect of pumpkin rootstock on watermelon:
| Taste | Doesn't change. |
| Nutrition | More nutrients and moisture are supplied. |
| Survival | Resistance to unfavorable environments and endurance increases as the soil temperature decreases. |
| Fruit | The taste improves, they become more sugary, the number of fruits and their volume increases. |
When should you get vaccinated?
On average, the necessary actions for grafting plants take about one and a half months, so the grafting time is calculated taking into account planting in the ground in each individual region. In the middle zone, seed planting begins from late March - mid-April, in the northern regions - from mid-April. Planting in the ground depends on the weather and the depth of soil heating. Most often this is mid or late May.
Read also:
How to make delicious and simple jam from watermelon rinds.
The most delicious recipes for pickling whole watermelons in a barrel for the winter.
Features of growing watermelons in Siberia in open ground: step-by-step instructions.
How to properly prepare a plant
Sowing begins with watermelon seeds, as they grow more slowly. The container volume for seeds should be 200 ml. After a few days, lagenaria is sown. You can graft if there are three leaves.
How to graft a watermelon onto a pumpkin
There are many methods of vaccination:
- tongue;
- to the center (to the cleft);
- rapprochement;
- end-to-end;
- injected;
- in a side section;
- into the phone.
Tongue
This is the most commonly used method. It gives good survival rate due to the large contact between the scion and the rootstock and the presence of roots in both pumpkin and watermelon.
Watermelon is planted three days earlier. The seeds are germinated in advance. You can sow them in one container or in different ones.
For grafting, a cut is made in the middle between the root and the leaves on the rootstock (from top to bottom) and on the scion (from bottom to top). The depth of the cut should be 1-1.2 cm to the middle of the stem. Tabs are formed that connect and secure. The grafted plant must be tied to a stake.
After five days, the plants grow together.It is necessary to crush the lower part of the watermelon so that its roots die off and it switches to nutrition from the roots of the rootstock.
Pumpkin leaves are removed during watermelon growth so that three “native” leaves remain (two cotyledons and one true).
By rapprochement
The only difference is the connection method. The skin layer of the seedlings is cut off, after which they are connected and fixed for fusion. Other actions are repeated as when grafting with a tongue.
Copulation
Copulation is similar to butt grafting. The main difference is the volume of the rootstock. The pumpkin must be planted at the same time as the watermelon so that its stem is stronger and thicker.
Next, the growing point is removed, leaving one cotyledon leaf. A cut is made on the rootstock from the removed leaf parallel to the stem, 7-8 mm long. The scion is cut in the middle of the stem and connected to the plant. Afterwards everything is secured with a clip or tape.
Lateral incision grafting
The survival rate with this method is considered high, but not everyone knows about the possibility of using it to graft watermelon.
It is similar to tongue grafting, only the root system of the watermelon is removed immediately. The pumpkin stem is cut to the center with an oblique line, the watermelon stem is cut through with an oblique cut, leaving only a thin layer of skin on the other side. Afterwards, the seedling is inserted into the cut on the pumpkin stem and fixed.
Vaccination in the center (injection)
Fast, simple and effective way.
The pumpkin must be sown earlier to obtain a thick and strong stem by the time of grafting. Before grafting, the growing point is removed. The center of the stem is pierced with a toothpick or a sharp stick to a depth of 5 mm. The stick or toothpick remains in place until grafting. A watermelon 3-4 days old is cut diagonally and inserted into the puncture site.Fixation is not required, as the scion holds on its own.
There are general recommendations for watermelon grafting:
- sterility: instruments and hands must be treated with alcohol;
- grafting is carried out in the evening or cloudy times;
- containers for pumpkins should be larger;
- the day before grafting, water the rootstock with a sufficient amount of water;
- for plants to grow together, it is necessary to maintain high humidity (70%) in the place where they are placed;
- protect from direct sunlight;
- t +25…+28°C.
Read also:
What are the benefits of watermelon juice and how to prepare it correctly at home.
Caring for a grafted plant
When caring for seedlings during growth, be sure to monitor the soil moisture in the container with the grafted plant.
In this case, there is often no need to water; it is important not to overdo it to prevent plant rotting. Seedlings grow together on days 5-7.
The watermelon begins to get stronger and grow upward, new leaves appear. Afterwards you need to pinch the second and third leaves or cut off the scion sprout near the ground. If stable growth continues, the clip is removed.
Important! If the growth point of the pumpkin is poorly removed and its leaves are actively developing, they must be pinched and removed.
Planting is carried out in well-fed soil. Water once a week.
Conclusion
Grafting a watermelon onto a pumpkin is not a very simple process, but it is fascinating. More and more gardeners are using it to grow watermelons in regions with harsh climates. With a little effort, you can get a large harvest of sweet fruits.