What are the cultivation methods for garlic sprouts (garlic chives), an appetizing and healthful vegetable?
Garlic sprouts are a common appetizing vegetable; they are the seedlings of garlic, with waxy yellow leaves and tender white bases. They are grown in every part of our country, and their rich fragrance and abundant nutrition make them deeply loved by consumers. So do you know what cultivation methods there are for garlic sprouts? Let's take a look at some experience we have summarized for you!
1. Cultivation site
Garlic sprouts are mainly cultivated in the low-temperature seasons of winter and spring, so the growing site can be a greenhouse, or an empty room, a vegetable cellar, or similar place. When using an empty room or vegetable cellar for cultivation, a fire must be lit inside to raise the temperature, and ventilation must be done well. A cultivation pool can be built inside, with a height of 60cm, while the length and width depend on the scale of planting. The pool surface must be level; spread sand or a layer of sandy loam, and rake it level, and sowing can be done shortly afterward.
2. Seed selection
When selecting seeds, remove garlic cloves that are frost-damaged, rotten, or injured and weak, and choose large-clove garlic seeds that grow sturdy and sprout quickly, with purple-skinned large six-clove garlic being the best. Large cloves sprout quickly after planting, grow sturdy, and have good quality and high yield.
3. Sowing
Soak the previously selected garlic seeds in clean water for 20-24 hours so they absorb enough water, then break the garlic heads apart and remove the heel of the stem plate. Arrange them neatly on the cultivation pool; gaps can be filled with garlic cloves, and try not to leave large gaps. After arranging, press them flat with a tool, then scatter a layer of fine soil or fine sand, and pour water into the cultivation pool. Note that the water should be poured in slowly from the side, not poured directly from above; the amount of water should just cover the garlic heads. After watering, spread another layer of fine sandy soil, and sowing is then complete.
4. Management
Generally speaking, the management work during garlic sprout cultivation is mainly divided into 4 categories: temperature management, shading treatment, water management, and ventilation. Below we will analyze them one by one.
1. Temperature management
After sowing is complete, the temperature of the cultivation room must be strictly controlled, kept at 25-28°C during the day and 18-20°C at night, and before long the garlic sprouts will sprout and emerge from the soil.
2. Shading treatment
When most of the garlic buds have emerged, cover them promptly with a curtain to block light, or use black plastic film to block light, so as to soften the garlic leaves and ensure the quality of the garlic sprouts. Shading too late or shading that is not tight enough will both affect the quality of the garlic sprouts.
3. Water management
During the growth period of garlic sprouts, water is generally applied once every 2-3 days to keep the cultivation bed moist. When the temperature is high and evaporation is great, water more frequently and in greater amounts; conversely, reduce the amount of water.
4. Ventilation
When the midday temperature is too high, ventilation and air exchange should be strengthened, so as to avoid the accumulation of large amounts of toxic gases that cause the garlic sprouts to die.
5. Harvesting
When the garlic sprouts have grown to about 25-30cm, they can be harvested. From sowing to harvesting takes about 20-25 days. When harvesting, the knife should be sharp, and you should not cut too deep; just cut off the parts above the ground surface. Cutting too deep can easily damage the garlic cloves. Do not water immediately after harvesting, so as to avoid wound infection and disease; water 3-4 days after harvesting, which can promote the growth of the second crop, and after about 20 days it can be harvested again.
The above are the cultivation methods for garlic sprouts. We hope they are useful to you!