Winter melon is originally native to southern China, Southeast Asia, and parts of India. It is one of the most important vegetables during the off-season, especially from August to September in China. After harvest, the fruit relies solely on its internal nutrients and water to sustain life processes. During storage, respiration continues, causing a gradual depletion of nutrients and leading to aging until the fruit loses its food value. Additionally, excessive shaking during harvesting, storage, or transportation, along with potential contamination from pathogens in the field or poor air circulation, can cause cell damage, internal collapse, rotting from both inside and out, moisture accumulation, surface blemishes, and mold growth at contact points.
When selecting winter melons for storage, it's essential to choose fruits that are uniformly shaped, straight, with similar sizes at both ends, tubular in form, featuring dark green skin, nearly mature flesh, a waxy white coating, and no visible signs of disease or pests. The maturity level should be around 90%. These melons typically have thick, tight skin, strong internal tissue, lower water content, and stronger resistance to diseases, making them more suitable for long-term storage. However, melons with high water content due to recent rainfall should not be stored. Harvesting should take place in the early morning when temperatures are cooler, and the fruit is less prone to damage. To prevent injury and bacterial infection, use clean scissors to cut the vines, leaving about 3 cm of stem attached. Handling, loading, and unloading must be done gently to avoid collisions and bruising.
For proper storage, choose a cool, well-ventilated, and dry location. The storage area should be fumigated with potassium permanganate and formalin two to three days before placing the melons inside. A layer of straw mats and baskets should be placed on the floor to provide cushioning. When arranging the melons in the warehouse, follow the same orientation as they grew in the field—flat if they were lying on the ground, upright if they were growing vertically. If stacking on the ground, avoid piling too high to reduce pressure damage.
During storage, winter melons are generally not turned over, but regular checks are necessary. Any diseased or damaged melons should be removed immediately. The ideal storage temperature ranges between 10–15°C, with relative humidity maintained at 80–85%. In the early stages of storage, the melons contain a lot of moisture and produce significant respiratory heat, so ventilation and cooling are crucial. If the room temperature rises above 30°C, an exhaust fan or air conditioner should be used to regulate the environment. If such equipment is unavailable, windows should be shaded during midday, and ventilation should be done at other times. The air inside the storage area must remain fresh, dry, and cool. With these methods, winter melons can be stored for up to 3–4 months.
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