Detailed Guide to Mesembryanthemum crystallinum (Ice Plant) Cultivation: Management Points from Sowing to Harvest
Growing ice plant requires mastering seed soaking, spot sowing, transplanting, temperature management, watering, harvesting and other steps. Soak the ice plant seeds in warm water before spot sowing. If sowing during a low-temperature period, make good use of an insulated box; during a high-temperature period, maintain ventilation. Once leaves have grown, transplanting can begin. Ice plant is sensitive to high temperatures in summer, so pay attention to watering frequency.
Ice Plant Cultivation Techniques
1. Seed Soaking
African ice plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum) seeds need to be soaked in warm water at 20-30 degrees for 2-4 hours before sowing.
2. Spot Sowing
Sow one seed per cell in a seedling tray, or sow 3 seeds per spot at 9 cm intervals. If the soil covering is too thick, it will affect germination, so just cover lightly with soil. The key to better germination is to aim for a temperature of around 20 degrees after sowing; during low-temperature periods, use an insulated box or similar. If sowing and cultivating in autumn, high temperatures can sometimes affect it, reducing the germination rate.
3. Transplanting
When the plant has grown its 4th to 5th leaf, about 20—40 days after sowing (varying with the cultivation period), it is the suitable time for transplanting. Depending on the production area, direct sowing is also possible; to improve the premium-grade rate or for long-term harvesting, seedling cultivation is suitable.
4. Temperature Management
The suitable temperature for ice plant is 20--30°C; growth during summer cultivation is sensitive to high temperatures.
5. Watering
Ice plant is relatively drought-tolerant, but when irrigating, water when the soil surface is dry.
6. Harvesting
At harvest, use scissors to cut radially outward, harvesting side branches about two months after sowing. During transport, because of low-temperature storage or taking advantage of low early-morning temperatures, pre-cool after harvesting.