Groundmelon is a common wild fruit in rural areas, which is nutritionally comprehensive. It is often regarded as a green food and nutritious vegetable. It can be eaten raw or cooked and has the effects of clearing deficiency fire, replenishing qi and generating fluid, and promoting lactation. Below, I will introduce the cultivation methods of groundmelon.
Image of groundmelon
【Morphological Characteristics of Groundmelon】
The stem of groundmelon branches from the base. The leaves are opposite or nearly opposite; the leaf blade is linear, 3-5cm long, 2-5mm wide, with the midrib raised on the lower side, and the umbel inflorescence is axillary; the calyx is covered with soft hairs on the outside;
The corolla is greenish-white; the corolla tube is cup-shaped, the lobes are triangular-lanceolate, gradually closed, and higher than the membranous lobes of the ovary septum. The fruit is spindle-shaped, gradually pointed at the apex, swollen in the middle, 5-6cm long, and about 2cm in diameter.
The seeds are flat, dark brown, up to 8mm long, and covered with white silky hairs, up to 2cm long. The flowering period of groundmelon is from May to August, and the fruiting period is from August to October.
【Biological Characteristics of Groundmelon】
Groundmelon has strong adaptability to the environment and has the characteristics of cold resistance, heat resistance, resistance to barrenness, cold resistance, strong light resistance, and easy management.
Groundmelon does not have strict requirements for soil and can naturally grow in forest edges, grasslands, rocky slopes, and sandbanks. It can be planted in general sandy soil, loamy soil, ditch banks, field corners, and large crop rows.
It grows well in fertile soil. The plants grow vigorously under shade, with green leaves and tender fruits, and can be intercropped with large early-maturing crops.
Image of groundmelon
【Cultivation Methods of Groundmelon】
Groundmelon is a drought-tolerant plant and can grow in grassland vegetation from typical grassland to grassland desertification in northern China.
Groundmelon mainly grows in sandy soil and sandy loam, and can also grow in sandy loam soil. It grows on slopes, sand dunes, or dry valleys, wasteland, field edges, and other places at altitudes of 200-2000 meters.
Groundmelon has strong adaptability to the environment and has the characteristics of cold resistance, heat resistance, resistance to barrenness, cold resistance, strong light resistance, and easy management.
It can naturally grow in forest edges, grasslands, rocky slopes, and sandbanks. It can be planted in general sandy soil, loamy soil, ditch banks, field corners, and large crop rows.
It grows well in fertile soil. The plants grow vigorously under shade, with green leaves and tender fruits, and can be intercropped with large early-maturing crops.
【Harvesting Methods of Groundmelon】
Groundmelon grows on slopes, sand dunes, or dry valleys, wasteland, field edges, and other places at altitudes of 200-2000 meters. It is distributed in Northeast China, North China, Henan, Hebei, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Shandong, Anhui, Gansu, Xinjiang, Jiangsu, and other places.
When groundmelon grows to late August, the fruits can be harvested in batches. The general standard is that the fruits are about 3cm long, with a diameter of about 1cm, and have a green appearance and good gloss. They should be crispy and refreshing when harvested.
After harvesting, attention should be paid to preservation. If seeds are to be saved, let the groundmelon grow until mid-October, select full and robust fruits for seed preservation, and remove the aboveground parts. Clean the field and irrigate it with winter water to facilitate regrowth in the second year.
