Winter Melon from Lanhe

Winter Melon from Lanhe

　　Winter Melon from Lanhe

　　Since 1982, the town of Lanhe has been engaged in the sporadic cultivation of winter melon. After becoming a secondary vegetable production area of Guangzhou in 1988, the planting area of winter melon has continuously increased, and the scale of cultivation has expanded steadily — evolving from intercropping to full-field planting, and from one annual crop to three. This has played an important role in supporting the city’s off-season vegetable supply. In 2000, the town had 6,218 mu of exclusively planted winter melon and 1,527 mu of intercropped winter melon, yielding a total of 21,000 tons. The income from winter melon production accounted for 54% of the local vegetable income.

　　In the past, the varieties of black-skinned winter melon grown in our town were inconsistent, and the planting season was not managed timely, resulting in low total yield, poor quality, and sluggish sales, mainly limited to the local market. To meet market demand — ensuring early availability while also improving storability, regulating the supply of spring and autumn off-season vegetables in the city, and enhancing both the production level and economic returns of winter melon cultivation — starting in 1994, our town focused on strengthening demonstration and guidance efforts. We established demonstration bases, emphasized the introduction, testing, and promotion of new varieties and technologies, planned planting seasons rationally, and worked to build a brand for winter melon.

　　To improve the quality of winter melon, over the years Lanhe Town has prioritized the introduction and cultivation of new varieties. Varieties such as Nanhai Black-Skinned Winter Melon, Zengcheng Winter Melon, and Dongguan Daojiao Winter Melon were introduced. After years of effort, we successfully developed the Lanhe Winter Melon variety, which meets local cultivation needs and market demands, replacing the previously grown local large green-skinned winter melon. This new variety has the following characteristics: (1) Suitable for export, uniformly sized, consistently shaped, and good in color; (2) Excellent for transportation and storage, smooth-skinned and hairless, typically over 55–60 cm in length; (3) Good flavor, thick flesh, dense texture, slightly sweet, and rich in nutrients.

　　In winter melon cultivation, emphasis is placed on the principle of “getting an early start” — early land preparation, early sowing, diligent management, and early market availability. The harvest time for early winter melon in our town is generally 15–20 days earlier than that of neighboring cities and counties, leading to significantly improved economic returns. In recent years, the production cycle of Lanhe winter melon has evolved from one crop per year to two, with some households even managing three crops annually. Spring planting occurs from December to February of the following year, with harvesting from mid-April to June; summer planting takes place in May, with harvests in July and August; autumn-planted winter melons are sown promptly after the summer harvest, also achieving satisfactory yields.

　　To establish the brand image of Lanhe Winter Melon, our town implements full-process monitoring of winter melon production bases — overseeing everything from fertilizer application to pesticide use management. Production and management follow the procedures required for green food standards, with strict tracking and monitoring of pesticide usage to ensure the safety and high quality of the winter melon produce. This enhances both domestic and export competitiveness and expands product sales. Additionally, winter melon products that meet quality standards are labeled with the “Lanhe Winter Melon” brand for market distribution, yielding positive results and ensuring smooth sales during both spring and autumn seasons across the town.

　　Due to the short growth cycle and good profitability of winter melon, farmers have shown increasing enthusiasm for its cultivation, with planting areas expanding year by year. In 1996, the planting area reached 3,000 mu; in 1998, 4,100 mu; in 1999, 6,850 mu; and by 2000, it grew to 7,700 mu. Apart from supplying the Guangzhou market, most of the winter melon produce is sold to regions such as Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Shanghai, and Henan, with a small portion exported to Hong Kong, Macau, and Singapore.