A detailed guide to the key points of growing water spinach, with picture appreciation
Water spinach is a summer leafy green vegetable; not only can the stems and leaves be eaten together, they can also be separated and made into two separate dishes. Water spinach tastes crisp, but its oxalic acid content is relatively high, and eating too much of it may affect calcium absorption. Now water spinach has slowly come onto the market, and the price is still relatively expensive, so what are the key points of growing water spinach? With picture appreciation.
1. Seed selection
Overall, water spinach is generally planted from late April to early May each year. Because water spinach grows very fast and has a strong branching ability, it also has a relatively high demand for fertilizer and water, so sufficient base fertilizer should be applied when fertilizing. When sowing, choose relatively plump, freshly colored new seeds from the current year; the germination rate can reach more than 98%. The soil for growing water spinach should be loose and not hard or compacted; this kind of soil has good water absorption, and dry seeds will germinate directly after sowing.
2. Land preparation
Before sowing water spinach, the land should be prepared by turning the soil and making beds. Before preparing the land, clear away weeds and other debris in the field in advance to avoid weeds competing with the seeds for nutrients after sowing, which would reduce the germination rate. To prevent pests and diseases in water spinach in advance, preparatory work should be done early in daily management. When water spinach enters the middle and late stages of growth, Zhuangjingling can be sprayed on the surface. It can not only strengthen the roots and stems and increase yield, but also improve the crop's disaster resistance.
3. Base fertilizer
Before sowing water spinach, the base fertilizer should be applied thoroughly to lay a good foundation for later sprouting. Generally speaking, the base fertilizer is mainly organic fertilizer such as manure and farmyard manure, and the application rate is about 600-800 kg per mu. Note that manure must be fully decomposed in advance before use to avoid the occurrence of pests and diseases. Only scientific fertilizer application can promote strong roots and stems and healthy, tender green leaves to achieve rapid growth, thereby significantly improving quality and increasing yield.
4. Fertilizer and water management
Observe whether the soil is dry or wet; if the soil is relatively dry, it should be watered. When watering, the amount of water must be sufficient, and it should be watered thoroughly so the soil fully absorbs the water. In later daily management, generally speaking, as long as the soil is seen to be relatively dry, it can be watered. Water spinach is a crop harvested multiple times, so in addition to applying sufficient base fertilizer, topdressing must be carried out to achieve high yield.
When the water spinach seedlings grow to 5-10 cm, the first topdressing can be carried out. When topdressing, apply organic fertilizer at a standard of 500-700 kg per 667 sq m. When topdressing, first dilute the fertilizer, then apply it along with watering. Apply the fertilizer evenly. Otherwise, too much fertilizer in one place will burn the plants to death. Before harvesting, generally speaking, one topdressing is enough.