A detailed guide to lotus root cultivation techniques - understand the planting method in one article

Lotus root has high nutritional value and tastes excellent, and its market performance has always been very good. The planting area is also continuously expanding. So what are the lotus root cultivation techniques?

1. Choose suitable varieties

At present, most lotus roots are planted in shallow ponds. Suitable varieties include Bailian 3735, white lotus root, and He No. 6. Lotus roots that bloom white flowers tend to have higher yields.

2. Planting

Find a complete small side shoot beside a large lotus root, but be sure to ensure that the lotus root bud and the section of lotus root node near the bud are complete and free of any damage, otherwise they will rot. Lotus root is generally planted around Guyu, when the temperature is relatively suitable. It sprouts more easily when the temperature is around 15°C. Generally, seed lotus roots with two lotus root buds are placed in the lotus pond, one plant every 50 cm, and by the second year they can fill the entire pond.

Plant the lotus root in a lotus pond with relatively good water. The lotus pond also has certain requirements. The lotus pond must be prepared in advance. Generally, fertilizer must be mixed into the lotus pond half a month in advance, and then the bottom of the lotus pond should be leveled. Two days before planting the lotus root, plow and level the soil again so that the fertilizer and mud mix better, avoiding excessive fertilizer in some areas that could burn the seedlings.

3. Pond water management

The water in the lotus pond should try not to be running water, that is, water that is always flowing, because this easily washes nutrients out of the lotus pond, so the lotus roots will not grow large. Moreover, lotus roots have different needs at different growth stages. When just planted, they need to sprout, so the water should be shallow, so that sunlight penetrates more thoroughly and the water temperature rises more easily, which helps them sprout quickly. In summer, lotus roots grow rapidly and need a large amount of water, so the water should be somewhat deeper, generally not more than 20 cm above the lotus roots.

4. Fertilization

Generally, fertilizer is additionally applied two to three times during the growing period. One time is when the young lotus leaves have just emerged, one time is when each lotus root has about five leaves, and the last time is when all lotus leaves have grown out. The amount of fertilizer applied each time depends on the fertility of the lotus pond. A small trick is to look at the lotus leaves. If the leaves are green with a dark tint, that indicates the soil fertility is sufficient. If the leaves are yellowish and relatively thin, then fertilizer is needed. It is generally recommended to apply farmyard manure, because farmyard manure releases its fertility slowly and also enhances soil aeration, and the taste of the lotus root will also be better.

By July, the lotus roots begin to mature, and harvesting can begin one after another. When harvesting, be careful to leave the daughter lotus roots, so they can continue to grow the next year.