Lotus Root Cultivation Methods and Key Technical Points
Lotus root cultivation methods include seed selection, sowing, field management, and harvesting. For lotus root, choose ones with young buds at the root, and the larger the seed lotus root, the better. After mixing the seed lotus roots with targeted chemicals, take them for planting. Field management involves removing leaves, fertilizing, and managing the water level. Finally, wait for the lotus roots to mature and then harvest them.
1. Seed Selection
When selecting lotus root seeds, pay attention to whether new young buds have grown from the lower part of the lotus root, and whether some new roots have also regrown beside the young buds. Such seedlings can be taken directly for planting. Secondly, when selecting seeds, we always choose intact lotus roots with at least three nodes or more, try to choose complete lotus roots that look relatively large and disease-free, and whose newly grown buds appear to be growing vigorously. The larger the seed lotus root, the better, because the newly developed young lotus roots will also be better.
2. Sowing
Try not to store lotus root seeds for too long. Generally, they are planted immediately after being selected. Before planting, the seed lotus roots must first be treated. After mixing the seed lotus roots with targeted chemicals, take them for planting. This can prevent many diseases caused by the environment during the growth process in advance. When planting, plant as deeply as possible, so that the lotus roots that grow will be large and good. The sowing density is estimated according to the size of the pond you choose. Generally, lotus roots develop relatively quickly and spread over a relatively large area, so generally plant one plant every thirty to fifty cm, and before long they will cover the entire pond densely.
3. Field Management
About one month after planting, the lotus leaves and lotus flowers in the pond will gradually grow out. At this time, we need to remove some leaves and flower buds to prevent them from absorbing a large amount of nutrients and hindering the growth of the lotus roots. During the growth process of the lotus roots, when five or six lotus leaves have grown, we need to fertilize once, mainly to confirm whether they have survived. Secondly, after the lotus leaves in the pond have basically grown all over, fertilize once more. At this time, it indicates that many small young lotus roots have appeared and sufficient nutrients are needed. The last fertilization is when new leaves have gradually stopped growing in the pond. This also indicates that the lotus roots in the pond are slowly growing larger, so a large amount of nutrients is needed to sustain their growth. Finally, the water level in the pond must not be too deep or too shallow, and is generally kept at about ten to fifteen cm.
4. Harvesting
When the color on the back of the terminal leaf of the lotus root has a slight tinge of red, it indicates that the lotus root has matured and can be harvested. Because the lotus root grows relatively deep, and you do not know how it is growing, you have to dig slowly along its terminal leaf toward its original leaf direction. This is the way to dig out the most complete lotus root.