When to Sow Chrysanthemum Greens? A Detailed Guide to the Best Sowing Time

Chrysanthemum greens (Glebionis coronaria) have a rich chrysanthemum aroma and are a fairly common wild vegetable, but in recent years many people have also cultivated them. So when should chrysanthemum greens be sown?

1. When to sow chrysanthemum greens?

The planting time for chrysanthemum greens is generally spring and autumn. Because many people like to eat chrysanthemum greens, some places now also grow them in greenhouses in winter. In South China, sowing and raising seedlings usually take place from early February to early March; seeds sown late easily lose their germination capacity. They are transplanted in early April, and by May the tender stems and leaves can be harvested and brought to market.

2. Tips for growing chrysanthemum greens

1. Soil: Chrysanthemum greens are fairly demanding about soil conditions, so there are also some requirements for soil texture and soil layer. It is recommended to choose something looser, which will be more convenient; deep, fertile soil is also very good and lets us grow chrysanthemum greens better. If you are choosing within a planting plot, then its soil conditions should not have poor drainage either, so that you can select high-quality soil well and it is convenient for us to plant chrysanthemum greens. Therefore, on this point about soil planting conditions, we must carefully choose suitable soil before planting.

2. Seed treatment: Then first soak the chrysanthemum green seeds, which will be better. So, to prevent the production of bacteria during the seed-saving process, be sure to soak the chrysanthemum green seeds in warm water as much as possible. As for the choice of water temperature, around 40 to 50 degrees is fine; do not let the temperature get too high, otherwise it will produce bacteria on the seeds.

3. Sowing: During the sowing process, it is recommended to choose the conservative sowing method, that is, after sowing, spread a layer of plastic film on the surface to ensure the temperature inside. Because if open-field cultivation is chosen, then the sowing season must be postponed, since open-field planting has higher requirements for ambient temperature,

4. Growth management: Generally, at a suitable temperature, chrysanthemum greens will show signs of sprouting seven days after sowing. At this time, note that the soil moisture must be maintained, and watering and spraying water must be done regularly. When the seedlings of chrysanthemum greens grow to about 2 cm tall, thinning can be carried out, with the plant spacing for thinning kept at about 2 cm. If dense seedlings or thin, poorly developed seedlings and leaves are found, they need to be removed promptly to save nutrient consumption.

During thinning, the work of intertillage and weeding should also be coordinated, with the intertillage distance at about 5 cm. When the seedlings of chrysanthemum greens grow to 4 leaves, the final planting can be completed, with the plant spacing at about 6 cm per plant. Whether thinning or final planting, water must be applied and an appropriate amount of nitrogen fertilizer scattered, which can promote the growth of the roots and stems of chrysanthemum greens and make the leaves grow more robust.

5. Pest and disease treatment: During the growth of chrysanthemum greens, insecticide sprays are also needed. The insects most likely to infect them are cabbage worms and aphids, so when chrysanthemum greens grow to a height of about 10 cm, a 50% insect-control agent should be diluted and sprayed evenly, which can effectively prevent the breeding of pests.

Chrysanthemum greens can be harvested multiple times, and can also be harvested in batches. The growing method is also relatively simple. Many people like to eat chrysanthemum greens, and it is a plant with relatively high growing returns.