How Long Does It Take to Grow Taro? A Detailed Guide to Techniques and Management Methods

AbstractTaro is generally sown in the open field in March. If plastic film cultivation is chosen, it can be advanced to February. Harvesting is generally carried out around October in autumn. The growth cycle of taro is about 7 months. Taro prefers a warm and humid climate and has high requirements for environment and temperature, so growing techniques must be well mastered.

I. How Long Does It Take to Grow Taro

Taro is generally cultivated in spring from January to March, and can be harvested in late summer or autumn, that is, from August to October, with a growth cycle of about 7 months. Taro has relatively high requirements for environment and temperature. It likes warm and humid areas, so it is suitable for growing in high-temperature and humid environments, and at the same time requires a very moist soil environment.

II. Taro Growing Techniques

1. Land preparation and fertilization

Growing taro requires fertile, deep clay soil with strong water retention. Open furrows in the land and apply fertilizer, with a row spacing of about 90 cm, a furrow width of about 50 cm, and a depth of about 35 cm, then spread a sufficient amount of fertilizer in the furrows. The fertilizer is mainly high-quality organic fertilizer and compound fertilizer. Organic fertilizer requires about 2,000 kg per mu, and the compound fertilizer is 48% potassium sulfate, about 60 kg per mu.

2. Sowing

When sowing, try to choose seed taro free of pests, diseases, and wounds. First spread the seed taro out to dry for 3-4 days, then spread it evenly indoors, then cover it with wet sand on top, and keep the room temperature at about 23°C. After about one month, sprouts of about 3-4 cm will grow. When the outdoor temperature stabilizes at about 12°C, planting can begin. When planting, the plant spacing is about 35 cm, and about 5,000 plants are planted per mu.

3. Fertilization

Taro likes fertilizer. Only sufficient fertilizer can increase taro yield. Before planting, base fertilizer must be applied sufficiently, generally using organic fertilizer or biogas fertilizer, etc. At the same time, topdressing should be carried out several times. Topdressing should be done in the early seedling stage, the tillering stage, and the early and middle stages of vigorous corm growth. When fertilizing, attention should be paid to the amount of fertilizer, gradually increasing the amount as time goes on.

4. Watering

Taro likes water during the growing period, but it is not suitable to water it during the emergence stage, otherwise it will affect its root development and emergence. However, during the entire growth period, taro must maintain soil moisture. When watering it, choose morning and evening, and avoid watering at noon during high-temperature seasons. At harvest time, watering should be controlled, and no irrigation should be carried out 10 days before harvest.

5. Pest and disease control

Taro diseases are mainly fungal diseases, often occurring in midsummer and the plum rain season, damaging taro leaves and corms, manifested as brown lesions on leaves, corm rot, etc. After discovery, pesticides such as Yishuangling and Jialingling should be sprayed immediately.

6. Harvesting and storage

Harvesting: Harvesting can begin when the Frost's Descent season arrives. It is best to choose a sunny day. About 20 days before harvest, no irrigation should be done. If the taro is to be used as seed, it must be harvested only after it is fully mature. The aboveground part can first be cut off, and harvesting can be carried out after the wounds heal.

Storage: After drying for one day, it can be stored. At this time, the taro has naturally air-dried. Place the taro upside down, and spread a layer of sand on top of each layer of taro. If the taro is damaged or diseased, take it out in time to avoid infecting other taro. The best storage temperature is 10-15°C.