Detailed Explanation of Key Techniques for Pea Shoot Cultivation

SummarySowing and management: Spread perlite, furnace slag and other substrates in a prepared container, then spread the treated pea shoot seeds on top. After sowing, cover with wet newspaper, keep the temperature at around 18-22°C, and spray with lukewarm water at around 25°C every morning and evening. Harvesting: When the seedlings grow to 4-5 true leaves, with a plant height of 10-15cm, and all the compound leaves at the top have unfolded, they can be harvested. Generally, cut at about 7-8cm from the tip of the shoots.

I. Pea Shoot Cultivation

1. Sowing and management

(1) Spread perlite, furnace slag and other substrates in the cultivation container, or spread newspaper. Newspaper is usually fully utilized: first soak the newspaper, then evenly spread the treated pea seeds on top. The sowing rate per seedling tray is about 350-450 grams. After sowing, cover with a layer of wet newspaper.

(2) After sowing, stack every 5-10 seedling trays together, then cover the top with a clean wet burlap sack, and place in a dark place. Keep the temperature stable at 18-22°C for germination. After about 2-3 days, when the shoots have grown to about 1-2cm, place the seedling trays on the cultivation rack.

(3) On the cultivation rack, make sure to provide diffused light, keep the temperature at around 18-23°C, and spray lukewarm water once every morning and evening. The water temperature should be around 25°C. It is best to moisten the newspaper; do not overwater, to avoid water accumulating in the tray.

2. Harvesting

(1) When the pea shoots grow 4-5 true leaves and the plant height is 10-15 cm, neat and uniform, with the top compound leaves beginning to unfold or already fully spread out, with no root rot or stem base rot, and no unusual odor, with stems about 7-8 cm, and the shoots are green or light yellow, they can be harvested for sale.

(2) When harvesting, cut at 7-8cm from the tip of the shoots, then place them in boxes or plastic bags for packaging and sale. They can also be sold as whole trays. In this production process, at suitable temperatures it takes about 10 days, and in winter when temperatures are lower it takes about 15 days. The yield per tray is about 300-350 grams, and the ratio of sowing amount to harvest amount is 1:0.8.

II. Regrowth Cultivation

1. In order to increase economic returns and reduce waste, after harvesting the pea shoots once, the pea seeds still contain rich nutrients, which can be fully utilized to let the seedlings grow again.

2. When harvesting the pea shoots, care should be taken to avoid cutting the pea seeds and damaging the shoot base, as this can reduce the disease infection rate. The shoots can be cut at about 0.5 cm from the surface bean seeds. The cutting distance from the bean seeds should not be too long, to prevent two or more branches from forming, which is not conducive to plant growth and affects quality.

3. After harvesting, manage them the same way as the first time, and regularly inspect for diseased beans and rotten beans, and prevent pests and diseases.

4. The second harvest method is the same as the first. With good management, pea shoots can be regrown 4-5 times, but the quality will get worse and worse, so it is best to cultivate 2-3 times.