Mesembryanthemum crystallinum (ice plant) spring and autumn planting time and method, pay attention to temperature and watering
SummaryPlanting time: The most suitable sowing time for ice plant is spring and autumn. For the planting method, pay attention to four points. Soil: For outdoor planting, choose soft and breathable soil; for indoor seedling raising, nutrient soil can be used. Sowing and seedling raising: The seeds need to be soaked in 30°C water for about 3 hours, then sown in spots. Transplanting: Be careful to avoid doing it in high-temperature weather or rainy days, and pay attention to the row spacing when digging holes. Field management: Temperature control is the key; water only when the soil is very dry.
1. Planting time of ice plant
Because ice plant is not a very common vegetable and its market price is also relatively high, when buying ice plant seeds, you need to go to a large agricultural supply store to buy them. In addition, when planting ice plant, try to choose spring or autumn when the temperature is suitable, and try to keep the temperature after sowing at around 20-30 degrees.
2. Planting method of ice plant
1. Soil
Before planting outdoors, choose soft, breathable soil with strong moisture retention as much as possible. This kind of soil can allow the tiny ice plant seeds to sprout smoothly and grow normally, rather than rotting in the soil. For indoor seedling raising, nutrient soil based mainly on coconut coir can also be used for raising seedlings. After growing to 4-5 leaves, transplant them into outdoor soil.
2. Sowing and seedling raising
When planting outdoors, first soak the seeds in warm water at about 30 degrees for about 3 hours. When sowing in spots, sow about 2-3 seeds per hole. When raising seedlings indoors, sow 2-3 seeds about every 9 cm. After sowing the seeds, cover the seeds with a thin layer of fine soil. The fine soil must not be too thick, about 4 cm.
After sowing, pay special attention to the temperature in the seedling-raising environment and try to keep it at about 20 degrees. If it is outdoors, a shed needs to be built when the temperature is too low, and ventilation needs to be strengthened when the temperature is too high. After sowing, it takes about 20 days for seedlings to grow. After the seedlings grow 4-5 leaves, they can be transplanted and planted out.
3. Transplanting
When transplanting seedlings, be especially careful not to damage the roots of the seedlings. When transplanting seedlings, also try to avoid high-temperature weather and high-temperature time periods. Rainy days are also not suitable for transplanting. These climates will directly affect the survival rate of the seedlings. When digging holes for transplanting, the row spacing of each plant and each hole must be considered, and the row spacing is about 25 cm. After transplanting, also cover with soil, water appropriately, and control temperature.
4. Field management
Temperature control has always been the key when planting ice plant. Ice plant is very intolerant of high temperatures and heat, and likes shade and ventilation, so shade and sun protection measures need to be taken at every stage of planting. In addition, ice plant is relatively drought-tolerant. When watering it, check that the soil surface is very dry before watering, and be sure to control the amount of water.