In order to ensure successful grafting of watermelon plants, the selection of appropriate rootstock is crucial. The most commonly used rootstocks include melons, pumpkins, winter melons, and wild watermelons, with melon and pumpkin varieties being the most preferred. Popular melon types include long melons, round melons, aphrodisiac melons, and Japanese gourds, while pumpkin varieties like new Tuzuo are widely used. When choosing a rootstock, it's important to select varieties that have good compatibility, strong disease resistance, and do not negatively affect the quality of the watermelon. Before using any new variety in production, it must be thoroughly tested to confirm its suitability as a rootstock.
For preparing the seedling substrate, a mix of peat, perlite, and vermiculite in a 3:1:1 ratio is typically used. In winter, a 2:1:1 ratio can also be applied, or a 3:1 ratio of peat to vermiculite. High-quality imported peats such as Hair, Earl, and Sunlight are recommended, but domestic options like Panda and Chinese peat can also be used if properly tested. The matrix should be disinfected either by using pre-disinfected imported products or by adding 200g of chlorothalonil per cubic meter, or spraying an 800x solution of thiophanate methyl at 45-60kg per cubic meter. To enrich the soil, 1.0-1.2kg of 15-15-15 compound fertilizer or a specialized watermelon nutrient solution is added per cubic meter. If needed, industrial calcium carbonate can be used to adjust the pH.
Seed soaking is an essential step in germination. Seeds are soaked in warm water (55°C) for about three times their volume, stirred until cooled to 30°C, then sterilized in a 0.1% bleach solution for 10 minutes. After rinsing, they are soaked for different durations depending on the type—pumpkin seeds for 12 hours, melons for 24 hours, and watermelon seeds for 6-8 hours. Once soaked, they are rinsed again to remove mucus and ready for germination.
Rootstock seeds are sown in square trays or 50-hole plugs, with germination occurring at 28°C. When the seeds begin to sprout, they are transplanted into the trays. The seeds are placed at an angle to avoid capping and covered with a thin layer of substrate. Watering is kept at around 80% of the saturated capacity, and the trays are moved to a germination room with day and night temperatures of 28°C and 18°C respectively. For scions, seeds are sown 6-7 days after the rootstock, using similar methods with proper light and temperature control.
Grafting is performed when the seedlings are 8-12 days old, with the first true leaf just emerging. Rootstock leaves are removed, and the scion is carefully grafted using a bamboo skewer or a knife to create a wedge-shaped cut. The scion is inserted into the rootstock, ensuring a tight fit. Proper humidity and temperature management are critical during the healing period, with high humidity (>95%) and controlled temperatures (26-28°C during the day, 20-22°C at night). Ventilation is gradually introduced over a few days to prevent excessive moisture.
After grafting, careful attention is given to watering and temperature. The substrate should remain moist but not overly wet, with a water holding capacity of 75-80%. Temperature is adjusted based on the growth stage, with gradual cooling at night to encourage female flower development. Pest and disease prevention includes regular spraying of fungicides like green hen No. 2, chlorothalonil, and mancozeb to protect against damping-off, downy mildew, and anthracnose. These measures help ensure healthy, vigorous grafted seedlings ready for transplanting.
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