Growing organic melons in greenhouses, scorching heat still wins big

QUANG BINH This summer, some gardeners had to temporarily stop farming because of the prolonged hot weather, but Mr. Chau was still confident in growing melons and cucumbers in a greenhouse.

More than 10 years ago, Mr. Nguyen Minh Chau graduated from Hue University of Agriculture and Forestry and worked at the Youth Employment Service Center (Quang Binh Provincial Youth Union). He is often in charge of projects and models of clean and organic agricultural cultivation of the unit.

Overcoming the hot weather, Mr. Nguyen Minh Chau's greenhouse still produces high-yield, high-quality melons. Photo: Tam Phung.

A few years ago, Mr. Chau consulted on a greenhouse model with an area of ​​about 800m2 in Bac Nghia ward (Dong Hoi city, Quang Binh). Later, the garden owner lacked human resources and stopped production. With a passion for producing clean agricultural products, Mr. Chau boldly accepted the investment to build this greenhouse to grow clean vegetables to supply the market.

“This model produces organically, without using pesticides to create clean products for consumers,” said Mr. Chau.

In the greenhouse, Mr. Chau divided the area into plots to grow different types of vegetables and fruits. In recent seasons, he mainly grew cantaloupe, green melon and cucumber. “In the summer, the temperature increases, so growing vegetables in the greenhouse is also difficult,” said Mr. Chau.

To make a growing medium for plants, Mr. Chau buys coconut fiber, soaks it in water to process it, and then mixes it with organic fertilizer. Organic fertilizer is mainly cow manure, chicken manure, etc. purchased from farms, mixed with biological yeast for a period of 45-90 days.

“The compost must be composted to decompose and remove pathogens before being put into the seedbed. Only then can we limit pests and weeds,” Chau shared.

During the growth process of the plants, Mr. Chau's garden does not use pesticides or stimulants for flowering, fruiting, etc. When the weather changes, the plants are sprayed with biological products to prevent pests and diseases.

Green melons are about to be harvested. Photo: Tam Phung.

Mr. Chau filters the water for the plants through a settling tank and pumps it through a drip irrigation system. This irrigation system is applied automatically, spraying water according to preset hours or controlled via smartphone.

On average, Mr. Chau's greenhouse produces 3 crops of vegetables and fruits each year. Melons are ready to harvest after about 70 days of planting. On average, each melon weighs 2.2 - 2.5 kg, with some reaching over 5 kg.

Each crop, the greenhouse yields an average of 3 tons of various melons, which are purchased by traders at the garden for about 40,000 VND/kg. “On average, each crop brings in about 90-100 million VND in revenue. After deducting expenses, I make a profit of about 50 million VND,” Chau confided.

This summer, while some gardeners have had to temporarily stop farming due to the prolonged hot weather, Mr. Chau is still confident in growing melons and cucumbers in the greenhouse. On the hottest days, the temperature in the greenhouse is always 45 - 50 degrees Celsius. On such days, he spends a lot of time taking care of the garden. In addition to adding fans to cool the air, at the end of the day, he has to pump water to spray mist to quickly cool the plants.

Mr. Nguyen Minh Chau mixes coconut fiber and manure to compost for the next crop. Photo: Tam Phung.

“High temperatures and erratic rains cause many pests, especially thrips that penetrate the net and cause damage. Melons often suffer from root rot. We have to use a combination of many biological products to eradicate and restore the plants,” added Mr. Chau.

Not only creating his own model, Mr. Chau was also invited by some establishments to be the "chief engineer" for the greenhouse model for growing clean, organic vegetables and fruits in Dong Hoi city, Minh Hoa district... In every model, Mr. Chau enthusiastically guides the technical process of organic farming for the people.

“Many models have been successful and continue to maintain production in the following years. I hope there will be more organic farming models in the area,” said Mr. Chau.

Despite the prolonged heat, Mr. Chau's greenhouse still produced a high yield of melons. Currently, each melon weighs more than 2kg. "The melons will be harvested in about 10 days, and traders have already placed orders. After this melon crop, I will prepare materials and renovate the greenhouse to prepare for the Tet vegetable crop," said Mr. Chau.

Source: https://nongsanviet.nongnghiep.vn/trong-dua-huong-huu-co-trong-nha-luoi-nang-nong-thieu-dot-van-thang-lon-d394562.html