A Detailed Guide to Planting Methods and Planting Time for Jiangshu (Chinese Yam)

SummaryPlanting methods: Jiangshu is suitable for planting in plots with loose and fertile soil, sufficient water sources, and good drainage and irrigation. After plowing and preparing the soil into tuber ridges, plant at a spacing of 20-40cm and a hole depth of 5-6cm. Throughout the entire growth process of Jiangshu, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers and multi-element fertilizers can be applied. When the seedlings grow to 15-20cm, trellises should be set up, and Nongminle water-soluble agent should be used for weeding. Planting time: Jiangshu can be planted around March 20.

1. Site Selection

Jiangshu is generally planted around March 20 each year. You can choose plots with deep, loose, and fertile soil, sufficient surrounding water sources, and good drainage and irrigation. Jiangshu is not suitable for continuous cropping; water-dryland rotation can be practiced.

2. Soil Cultivation

In the winter of the previous year, the soil should be deeply hoed, or deep-plowed to more than 30-50cm, and the soil should be exposed to the sun, which helps with weeding, pest removal, and promoting the growth of Jiangshu. Wait until it is nearly white-weathered. Around the spring equinox of the second year, break up the soil and shape it into tuber ridges. The ridge width including the furrow should be 30-50cm in height. The ridge surface should be leveled and rounded, and a deep four-sided drainage ditch should be dug to facilitate later drainage and irrigation.

3. Planting

After preparing the tuber ridges, plant 2 rows per ridge, with a spacing of 20-40cm and a hole depth of 5-6cm. Place 1 seed tuber piece per hole, with the cut side facing sideways, then cover with soil.

4. Fertilization

1. The ridge surface can be broadcast-fertilized or spot-fertilized. After sowing, apply seedling fertilizer once about every 20 days, and afterward apply fertilizer once about every 30 days according to the growth of Jiangshu.

2. Throughout the entire growth process of Jiangshu, mainly apply phosphorus and potassium fertilizers and multi-element fertilizers. For early fertilization, use 10 jin of 46% urea and about 16 jin of ternary compound fertilizer per mu each time. For later fertilization, use about 24 jin of ternary compound fertilizer and 6 jin of urea per mu each time.

3. The total annual fertilization amount per mu is about 340 jin, including about 100 jin of urea, about 200 jin of ternary compound fertilizer, and about 40 jin of potassium sulfate. Depending on different soil conditions, the fertilization amount also varies. Adjust appropriately according to the principle of light application in the early stage and heavy application in the later stage.

5. Weeding

20-25 days after sowing, carry out manual weeding or herbicide weeding. For herbicide, use 150g of 74.7% Nongminle water-soluble agent per mu, mixed with 120 jin of water for spraying. Within 10cm around the seedlings, manual weeding must be used to avoid mistakenly spraying the Jiangshu seedlings. In the middle stage, weeding can be carried out according to actual conditions. About 6-8 weedings are needed throughout the entire growth period.

6. Hilling

45-50 days after sowing, combine intertillage weeding and ditch repair with hilling, gradually increasing soil around the plants, hilling once every 35-40 days. If it rains, the surface soil can easily become compacted, so hilling can be appropriately advanced. The key periods for hilling are autumn and early winter. About 5-6 hillings are needed throughout the entire growth period.

7. Trellising

After emergence, check and replant seedlings promptly. When the seedlings grow to about 10cm, thin them, keeping 1-3 buds per hole. When the seedlings grow to 15-20cm, set up trellises. You can choose hard, straight bamboo poles or branches 2-2.5m long, inserting 1 vertically for each plant, allowing the vines to climb and grow on their own.

8. Irrigation

Generally, there is more rainfall in the first half of the year, so drainage measures need to be well done. If dry and hot weather occurs, water can be sprinkled in the morning. Deep flooding must be avoided. In early irrigation, keep alternating dry and wet conditions. From July to September, water demand is relatively high. During the autumn drought in August and September, deep irrigation can be carried out, irrigating late and draining early the next morning. Entering October, you can irrigate with “zouma water” to retain moisture and prevent soaking. After the Beginning of Winter, stop irrigation and keep the tuber ridge soil dry and loose.