How to preserve winter melon without it rotting

Winter melon grows in tropical regions and is very heat-resistant and drought-resistant. In order to store winter melon, people usually choose to store it in a cold storage to extend its shelf life. Winter melon itself has a high water content and is rich in sugar, so when storing it, it needs to be strictly avoided from moisture, because moisture will cause bacteria to grow and eventually cause the winter melon to rot. The specific storage method of winter melon is introduced in the following article.

There are various storage methods, among which cellaring is relatively simple and easy, and has a longer storage time.

1. Suitable storage conditions. Winter melon likes warmth and heat resistance, and is a cold-sensitive vegetable. Suitable storage conditions are: temperature of 10-15℃, relative humidity of 70-75%, and good ventilation. It can be stored at around 10-15℃ and can be kept for several months. Winter melon cannot tolerate low-temperature storage and will suffer chilling damage if the temperature drops below 10℃. However, if the storage temperature is too high, the respiration rate will increase, the tissue will quickly become soft, the pathogens will multiply rapidly, and the storage period will not be long.

2. Preparation for melon storage. Winter melon has a high water content, and tender melons and over-ripe melons are not suitable for storage. Therefore, the winter melon for storage must be 90% mature, with thick skin, thick flesh, dense texture, good quality, and a shiny green skin covered with wax. The stored melons must not be hit by frost. During the growing period, bricks should be placed under the melons or they should be suspended in the air. They should be protected from sunlight and no watering is allowed one week before harvest. Winter melons must be protected from rain before being stored. When harvesting, leave 3-5 cm of melon vines. Choose to pick them in the morning when the weather is cool. To prevent mechanical damage caused by collision between melons and microbial infection, wrap the winter melon with newspaper. During transportation, the winter melon should be handled with care to prevent scratches and bumps. Special attention should be paid to prevent it from being dropped or rolled, so as not to cause internal damage to the winter melon and create a major hidden danger during storage.

3. Preparation of storage kiln. Storage kilns are mostly built semi-underground, that is, the kiln chamber is about 3.6 meters high, 1.8 meters above and below the ground, with kiln windows all around and open to facilitate ventilation. The size of the storage kiln is determined by the number of winter melons stored. The construction of this structure has the excellent characteristics of high constant temperature, coolness, easy ventilation, and easy control of humidity. The warehouse should be thoroughly disinfected and sterilized 2-3 days before the winter melons are put into storage: the warehouse should be sealed by fumigating with potassium permanganate smoke, and the warehouse temperature should be lowered to 13°C before the winter melons to be stored can be put into storage.

4. The placement of winter melon. Select mature winter melons that have been strictly selected, neatly arranged and without damage, and store them in piles or racks in the warehouse. It is best to use racks and place them in a single layer. Storing winter melons on racks is better than storing them in piles because of better ventilation. However, when storing winter melons on racks, you should first lay soft, ventilated materials such as hay on the storage racks, and then place the winter melons on them. When stacking, you should first put hay or straw mats on the bottom of the warehouse, and then place the winter melons on top, generally not more than 3 layers, to avoid crushing and damage. When stacking, leave passages for inspection. When placing the melons, it is recommended that they be placed in the cellar in the same way as they grow in the fields. That is, the melons should be placed in the same state as when they grow in the fields. They must not be misplaced, because the melon flesh has adapted to the direction of gravity and is not easily cracked, so the storage time can be longer.

5. Remove diseased melons. During the storage period, pay attention to checking the cellar and check out the soft, moldy and rotten winter melons at any time to prevent the spread of pathogens. At the same time, the winter melons around the diseased winter melon should be separated and stored separately, and then disinfected. Winter melon can generally be stored for 3-4 months or longer as long as the temperature and humidity conditions are well controlled.