How to Grow Purple Jade Chinese Yam? A Detailed Guide to Cultivation Techniques

Everyone has probably eaten Chinese yam, but there is a type with purple-red flesh, Purple Jade Chinese Yam, that has recently become very popular in the market, so below we will introduce its cultivation techniques.

What are the cultivation techniques for Purple Jade Chinese Yam?

1. Site selection and land preparation

Purple yam is a deep-rooted plant, so choose a plot with deep, fertile, loose soil, warmth, a groundwater level of more than 1 m, and good drainage for planting. Before sowing, plow the soil, and after plowing make ridges oriented north-south, with a bed width of 70 cm and unlimited length; open a furrow in the middle of the ridge, then apply sufficient base fertilizer.

2. Seed selection and treatment

Choose tubers that are free of disease spots, rot, and are smooth, cut them into 6-10 cm lengths, and each tuber should have a terminal bud. The selected seed tubers need to be disinfected, aired in a ventilated place, and planted after the wounds have healed.

3. Planting time

From late March to early April, arrange seed tubers for sprouting and raise seedlings in a greenhouse. In North China, transplanting of seedlings is generally established in mid-to-late April. For direct planting, as long as the surface soil is not frozen, the earlier the planting the better. Before establishing and planting, make sure the soil has sufficient bottom moisture; after establishing and planting, do not water again, so as to promote the yam seedlings' roots to grow downward.

4. Planting

Purple Jade Chinese Yam can be planted directly or transplanted after raising seedlings. The former means placing the treated tubers on a sunny day according to the specified spacing between plants and rows and in a certain direction, then covering with a thin layer of soil. Sow and cover with plastic film; the latter should be raised in a greenhouse, with base fertilizer applied well, and then covered with a 5-6 cm layer of clean fine soil on top, to help increase the temperature.

5. Field management

Topdressing: 2-3 topdressings are needed throughout the growing period. When the seedlings reach about 10 cm tall, carry out the first topdressing together with intertillage and weeding, generally applying 20 kg of urea per mu. From August to mid-September is the key period for tuber growth and expansion; generally, 10 kg of potassium fertilizer per mu is broadcast at the cracks near the roots, then irrigate once with a flash flow of water. At the same time, on sunny afternoons, spray potassium dihydrogen phosphate on the leaves once every 10 days, for a total of 3 sprays.

Irrigation: In July-August, if there is a long period of drought, shallow water should also be irrigated once appropriately, and drought resistance work should be done well. In addition, lay a good foundation in the early stage, and in the middle and late stages clear the ditch systems to keep the field free of standing water.