How to Grow Coix Seed (Job's Tears)? Key Points on Planting Techniques and Field Management

Coix seed is a food that can remove dampness and eliminate cold, and it can be cooked into porridge together with black rice, red beans, silver ear mushroom, and so on. It is loved by quite a few women, some of whom use it specifically for weight loss, so it is grown fairly widely in China. So how do you grow coix seed?

1. Planting time: when is the best time to plant?

March to June every year works, specifically early March to mid-March, or late March to early April, or late April to early May. At the latest it must not be later than June, otherwise the yield of coix seed will be affected.

2. Seed selection and land preparation: what kind of land is suitable for planting?

Select plump, glossy grains to keep as seed, or simply buy good-quality variety seeds when purchasing. After selecting the seed, the land must be prepared. There are two ways to prepare the land. One is the paddy planting method, which means first filling the field with water, then plowing the field, and the plowing must be level. The other is the dry planting method, which means digging the soil, making ridges and furrows, and setting up a good drainage and irrigation system. Both methods require applying sufficient base fertilizer to ensure soil fertility.

3. Sowing method: how to sow?

(1) Treating the seeds: put the seeds in a cloth bag, then soak them in lime water for one day. After one day, take the cloth bag out and rinse it several times with clean water. This helps increase the germination rate of the seeds, and then they can be sown.

(2) Sowing methods: there are two sowing methods, namely the paddy planting method and the dry planting method. The paddy planting method is just like transplanting rice seedlings, except that coix seed does not need water continuously fed into the field; just wait until the soil is dry and then dig furrows and make ridges. The dry planting method is simply sowing at certain intervals on the ridges made earlier.

4. Field management: how to manage?

(1) Thinning and filling in seedlings: after the seedlings emerge, check the growth situation at any time. If thinning occurs, fill in the seedlings promptly.

(2) Fertilization requirements: generally when the coix seed seedlings grow to 5-6 cm, weed once and apply fertilizer. The second weeding should wait until they are 15-20 cm, and fertilizer should also be applied this time. When the seedlings grow to about 35 cm, that is, when they are flowering and forming ears, topdressing should be carried out, generally using farmyard manure or urea, and measures to prevent lodging should be taken.

(3) Water requirements: generally there is more water during the germination period, but during seedling growth, keep it as dry as possible. When the ears form, water should be replenished in time, so the field moisture must be well controlled.

(4) Pollination: generally artificial means are used to help coix seed pollinate and increase the ear-setting rate.

5. Timely harvesting: when is the best time to harvest?

Coix seed generally matures in September, but the maturation time of each coix seed plant differs, and even the same plant matures unevenly. Generally, when 80% of the coix seed has changed color and hardened, it is basically ready to harvest. The cut coix seed needs to be dried in the sun for three or four days before threshing. After threshing, it still needs to be dried in the sun for a few more days, then hulled and packed. At this point, harvesting is truly finished.

Overall, coix seed is still quite easy to grow. As long as you select good seed, treat the seeds properly, sow them into the soil, and do a good job with water and fertilizer management, it is fine.