How to Grow Kochia: Planting Methods and Precautions

Kochia, I believe many people are fairly familiar with it. As a whole, kochia is fresh and green, round and spherical in shape, not only adorably cute but also able to give people a quiet and elegant feeling, and it is deeply loved and sought after by gardening enthusiasts. But many gardening enthusiasts say they do not know how to grow kochia. Below, the editor will explain in detail the cultivation techniques of kochia and the precautions to note!

How to Grow Kochia

1. Thinning and transplanting: For direct seeding of kochia in open ground, when the seedlings grow to 15-20 cm tall, you can combine harvesting of young seedlings with thinning to a spacing of 70-100 cm between plants and rows. For seedling raising in protected cultivation, when the seedlings grow to 6-10 cm, they can be transplanted and set out.

2. Water and fertilizer management: Besides applying sufficient base fertilizer, kochia should be given one application of instant biological organic fertilizer at 150 kg/hectare together with irrigation during thinning and seedling recovery. During the growing period, water once every 7-10 days.

3. Pest and disease control: Kochia is susceptible to aphid damage, which can be controlled with a 1000-1200 times dilution of 40% dimethoate emulsifiable concentrate. It is also easily parasitized by dodder, which should be removed promptly once discovered.

4. Timely harvesting: When growing kochia, the young seedlings can generally be harvested when the plants grow to 15-20 cm tall. From April to July, young stems and leaves can be harvested successively. After the Start of Autumn, the whole plant or seeds can be harvested.

Kochia Planting Methods

1. Soil

Kochia does not have high soil requirements. It prefers loose, fertile, humus-containing, and well-drained sandy soil, but it can also tolerate poor and thin soil, and can also tolerate alkaline soil.

2. Light and temperature

Kochia prefers a sunny environment, but it is also a relatively shade-tolerant plant.

In terms of temperature, kochia prefers warmth and is not cold-tolerant. In addition, the suitable temperature for kochia germination is between 10-20°C.

3. Water and fertilizer management

In terms of water and fertilizer management, the care and management of kochia is still very simple and extensive. Basically, when planting out, kochia needs to be given a sufficient amount of base fertilizer first, and given one thorough watering.

After planting out, kochia needs additional fertilizer 2-3 times per year, though of course it can also be left unfertilized. As for watering, although kochia can tolerate drought, a certain amount of water should still be supplied to keep the soil moist, so that kochia will grow well. During the growing period, water once every 7-10 days. Let the soil dry and then water, avoiding waterlogging.

4. Propagation method

Kochia is generally propagated by sowing seeds, usually in spring, by direct sowing. Sow kochia seeds in April each year. Apply base fertilizer before sowing, keep the soil moist, and seedlings will emerge in about 10 days. Plant out at the appropriate time. Propagation of kochia by sowing is fast to germinate, neat, and simple to care for.

Precautions for Kochia

1. Weeds: During the growth of kochia, many weeds will inevitably appear, and the weeds need to be removed. Methods such as manual control, mechanical control, chemical control, replacement control, and ecological control can be used for weeding.

2. Pests and diseases: Kochia is relatively susceptible to aphid infestation, as well as parasitism by dodder. Timely control is needed.

Kochia Pests and Their Control

During the growth of kochia, diseases are not very likely to occur, but there are still pests. Kochia is easily attacked by aphids. When aphids are found, manual removal of the insects can be used to drive them away, or biological control methods can be used. In addition, a 1000-1200 times dilution of 40% dimethoate emulsifiable concentrate can be sprayed to repel the insects, or a 500 times dilution of 10% imidacloprid wettable powder can be sprayed to kill and control them.

Besides aphids, there is also damage from green caterpillars, which mostly occurs from the end of June to mid-August. When green caterpillar damage is found, the insects can be removed manually, or pesticides can be used, spraying a 1000-2000 times dilution of 40% dimethoate emulsifiable concentrate or a 4000 times dilution of 20% Dingkang granules for control.

In summary, kochia is not only beautiful and elegant and can be used as a potted plant to decorate a room, but it also has very high edible value and medicinal value! What are you waiting for? Hurry and take action to add a touch of greenery to your home!