At the fourth week after transplanting, the primary focus in watermelon cultivation is fruit production and ensuring high-quality fruits. This marks the time for the first top dressing application.
During this stage, it is recommended to use a fertilizer that is rich in phosphorus and nitrogen, such as NPK 23:23:0 (23% phosphorus, 0% potassium, and 23% nitrogen). Potassium is not necessary at this particular stage. This fertilizer is beneficial for promoting vegetative growth, stem development, and root establishment. To allow sufficient spreading, the spacing between furrows should be around 2 meters, with each furrow containing 2 lines of plants.
For optimal results, it is recommended to provide each plant with 10-15 grams of fertilizer. When applying the fertilizer, ensure proper coverage and water the plants immediately afterward. It is important to avoid direct contact between the fertilizer and the plant to prevent any scorching effects. If you choose to use the broadcasting method for fertilizer application, make sure to water the plants immediately after to prevent the loss of nitrogen into the air.
