How to Grow Ceylon Spinach? Planting Time, Methods and Precautions

Ceylon spinach is what we commonly call Malabar spinach; the point is that after changing its name, we really would not recognize it. But the name Ceylon spinach does sound nicer than Malabar spinach and is not easily confused with wood ear fungus. As people's acceptance of Ceylon spinach's taste grows higher and higher, the planting area of Ceylon spinach is also constantly increasing.

How to Grow Ceylon Spinach

Ceylon spinach is generally sown in April and harvested in June. Usually, when the temperature is above 20°C, it can be sown and cultivated in the open field. For those grown mainly for harvesting tender stems and leaves, they enter the harvest period about 50 days after sowing. Ceylon spinach is tolerant of high temperature and high humidity. It generally grows in loose, fertile sandy loam. The suitable germination temperature for seeds is around 25°C, and the suitable growth temperature for plants is 25-30°C. Throughout the entire growth period, the soil needs to be moist. A few varieties have strict requirements for high temperature and short-day conditions, while most varieties do not have strict requirements for sunlight.

1. Land preparation and fertilization: Before sowing Ceylon spinach, prepare the land and apply fertilizer first. Apply about 5000 kg of decomposed high-quality coarse fertilizer per mu, spread it evenly, then plow and make beds 1-1.2 m wide. When sowing in spring, in order to increase ground temperature, you can also cover with film one week before sowing to warm the soil. Sow only when the ground temperature is stable above 15°C.

2. Seed soaking and germination: The seed shell of Ceylon spinach is thick and hard, so seeds should be soaked to promote germination before sowing. Stir and soak the seeds in 50°C water for 30 minutes, then soak them in warm water at 28-30°C for 4-6 hours. After rubbing and washing them clean, keep them moist at 30°C to promote germination. When the seeds show white sprouts, they can be sown.

3. Sowing methods: For drilling, first open furrows in the bed, with a furrow depth of 2-3 cm, a furrow width of 10-15 cm, and a furrow spacing of 20 cm, and sow in rows along the furrows. After sowing, rake the bed flat, press it lightly, then water along the bed, just enough for the water to soak the bed surface. For broadcasting, first water the bed thoroughly, and after the water seeps down, spread 0.5 cm of fine soil, then sow, and after sowing cover with 1.5-2 cm of fine soil, then cover with plastic film to keep warm and moist. Generally after 3-5 days, seedlings will emerge.

Ceylon Spinach Planting Methods and Precautions

1. Sowing temperature for Ceylon spinach

The sowing temperature for Ceylon spinach is preferably 20-25°C.

2. Seed treatment for Ceylon spinach

The seed shell of Ceylon spinach is relatively thick and hard, so it is best to soak the seeds before sowing. Pour 45-50°C warm water into a clean basin, add the seeds and soak them thoroughly for 1-2 days, then scoop out the seeds and place them at a constant temperature of about 30°C to promote germination. When the seeds show white sprouts, they can be sown.

3. Sowing Ceylon spinach

Put culture soil into a pot, water it thoroughly with clean water, evenly sprinkle the treated seeds on the pot soil, cover with a shallow layer of soil after sowing, then spray a small amount of water. After sowing, it is best to grow them in an environment of about 30°C. Usually, seedlings will emerge in about seven days.

4. Management after sowing Ceylon spinach

When the seedlings grow one to two true leaves, they can be thinned. You can remove the weak and thin seedlings and keep the strong small seedlings.

When the seedlings grow three to four true leaves, a small amount of nitrogen fertilizer can be applied.

When the seedlings grow four to five true leaves, they can be planted out. The principle is to remove the small and keep the large.

When the seedlings grow five to six true leaves, they can be harvested.

Prevention and Control of Common Diseases of Ceylon Spinach

1. Ceylon spinach brown spot disease

Plants can be appropriately planted densely to improve ventilation and light conditions, and excessive watering and excessive nitrogen fertilizer application should be avoided. In the early stage of the disease, chlorothalonil or procymidone can also be sprayed to control brown spot disease.

2. Ceylon spinach gray mold disease

Fertilizer and water management should be strengthened, and the amount of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer applied should be appropriately increased to improve the disease resistance of the plants. In the early stage of the disease, procymidone or benomyl can be sprayed to control gray mold disease.

3. Ceylon spinach seedling rot disease

Diseased plants should be removed in time, water should be supplemented appropriately, accumulated water should be drained in time, and soil moisture should be reduced. In the early stage of the disease, DuPont Curzate or ethylicin-mancozeb can be sprayed to control seedling rot disease.

4. Ceylon spinach leaf spot disease

Plants can be cultivated on high beds or high ridges. During the rainy season, attention should be paid to timely drainage to reduce soil moisture. In the early stage of the disease, procymorph or benomyl can be sprayed to control leaf spot disease.

Uses of Ceylon Spinach

Ceylon spinach has a certain ornamental garden use. Its plants and flowers are quite lovely and can be used to decorate courtyards, windowsills, and so on.

However, its greatest use is still as food. It is often used as a vegetable and has a very good taste.

Usually, vegetable growers always have a very precise grasp of the planting time for vegetables. Perhaps agricultural knowledge is especially easy to master and spread among growers through personal practice, so generally speaking, as long as Ceylon spinach can be effectively grown once, it can be relatively well replicated in the new year.