Grafting cucumber seedlings is an effective technique that promotes strong plant growth, enhances resistance to low temperatures, improves resilience against soil-borne diseases, and ultimately increases yield and economic value. The following are the main methods involved in grafting cucumber seedlings:
First, prepare the seeds and planting area. Choose disease-resistant, high-yield, and high-quality varieties that meet market demands. Before sowing, expose the seeds to sunlight for 48–72 hours to disinfect them. Sterilize the seedbeds and gather necessary tools such as blades, grafting clips, bamboo sticks, and nutrient-rich soil.
Second, soak and germinate the seeds. For pumpkin seeds (preferably from the previous year, as new seeds may have a dormancy period of up to 120 days), use about 2–2.5 kg per 667 square meters. Soak the seeds in hot water at around 70°C, stirring until the temperature drops to 30°C. Rinse thoroughly and then soak in warm water at 25°C for approximately 12 hours. Germinate the seeds at 28–32°C until the sprouts reach 2–3 mm in length. For cucumber seeds, use 50 grams per 667 square meters. Soak them in 60°C water, stir until cooled to 30°C, rinse, and soak for 6–7 hours. Wrap the seeds in clean, moist cloth and germinate at 25–30°C for 24–36 hours before sowing. Sow cucumber seeds 5–7 days earlier than pumpkin seeds. In greenhouses, cucumber sowing typically occurs from late September to early October, while transplanting takes place in mid-to-late January. Maintain a daytime temperature of 28°C and nighttime temperature of 25°C during the initial growth phase. Water only when necessary to avoid leggy growth. Ensure sufficient light exposure, as this greatly influences yield and quality. Sow seeds at a spacing of 3–4 cm for cucumbers and 1.5–2 cm for pumpkins. Disinfect the soil with 2g of 70% mancozeb zinc wettable powder and 18kg of 25% metalaxyl wettable powder per 667 square meters. Cover the seeds with 1 cm of soil for cucumbers and 1.5 cm for pumpkins, then cover with plastic film and a small greenhouse. Remove the cover once more than 50% of the seeds have emerged.
Third, perform the grafting. About 15 days after sowing, when the cucumber leaves turn green and fully open, and the pumpkin seedling has its first true leaf, it's the best time to graft.
To graft, use a bamboo stick to remove the growing point of the pumpkin seedling, then make a 45-degree cut about 1 cm above the cotyledons. The cut should be two-thirds the diameter of the stem. Similarly, cut the cucumber seedling 1.5 cm above the cotyledons at a 45-degree angle. Align the cuts precisely and secure them with a grafting clip. Perform the grafting quickly and cleanly to ensure success.
After grafting, transplant the seedlings into seedbeds or pots in an east-west direction, placing the grafting clips on the north side. Keep the grafting site clean and maintain optimal temperature and humidity. The ideal daytime temperature is 25–28°C, and nighttime is 18–22°C, with a ground temperature of 23–28°C. Maintain air humidity at 85–95% to promote healing. For the first three days, shade the plants with grass curtains. After 3–5 days, gradually increase light exposure and ventilate. Adjust the temperature to 22–24°C during the day and 12–15°C at night. Continue shading until the plants no longer wilt.
Fifth, remove the root. When the seedlings have two leaves and one heart, which is about 10–13 days after grafting, cut the lower part of the grafting joint with a blade and pull out the root. Spray chlorothalonil at a dilution of 500–800 times for about 15 days to control downy mildew. Remove the grafting clips to ensure even growth, and transplant the seedlings based on their condition.
Finally, transplant the grafted seedlings when they have 4–5 true leaves. Before planting, apply organic manure and spread mulch, ensuring the soil depth does not exceed the grafting joint. This helps protect the graft and supports healthy development.
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