Cultivation Methods and Key Techniques for Choy Sum (Flowering Chinese Cabbage)

Choy sum, also known as flowering Chinese cabbage, is widely grown in southern China, is suitable for planting in southern China, and is a year-round vegetable. So, what cultivation methods are there for choy sum?

1. Variety selection

There are now many varieties of choy sum, such as red choy sum, white choy sum, Sijiu choy sum, green choy sum, willow-leaf choy sum, etc. When growing choy sum, you need to choose a suitable variety for planting according to the local climate, growing conditions, market demand and market conditions, so as to obtain the greatest economic benefit.

2. Sowing at the right time

There are now many varieties of choy sum, so different varieties of choy sum can be grown in different seasons. Secondly, the techniques for growing vegetables out of season are also becoming more and more refined, so there is no clear rule on planting time. However, in general, planting is carried out in March each year and in August and September each year. Choy sum planted in these two periods falls within the normal planting time and is the best time for choy sum to grow. At the same time, the quality of choy sum planted during this period is better.

3. Sowing methods

The three most commonly used cultivation methods for choy sum are direct sowing, drilling and seedling transplanting. Direct sowing mainly means evenly scattering the seeds over the prepared ground, and after the seedlings emerge, thinning and filling gaps are carried out. Generally, thinning is done at a spacing of 20 to 30 cm per plant, and only two seedlings need to be left per plant. For drilling, you first need to open small furrows 10 cm wide and 3 to 5 cm deep at a spacing of 30 cm between each row, then evenly scatter the seeds into the furrows and cover them with soil. Finally, after the seedlings emerge, thin and fill gaps at a spacing of about 25 cm per plant. For transplanting, you first need to raise choy sum seedlings, then plant them at a spacing of 30 to 35 cm between rows and 20 to 25 cm between plants.

4. Field management

Field management of choy sum mainly involves fertilizing, watering and weeding. Fertilizing needs to be carried out according to the growth habits of choy sum. The first fertilizing is generally after transplanting, the second fertilizing is when choy sum begins to form, and then fertilizing is carried out after each harvest of choy sum. Each time you fertilize, you can combine it with weeding, which can reduce nutrient loss and promote nutrient absorption. Choy sum has a relatively large demand for water, so the field moisture should be kept at around 70 percent. When there is no rainfall, water about once a week. Finally, when there is a lot of rain, drain the water out of the field in time so as not to affect the growth of choy sum.

5. Pest and disease control

Choy sum now has relatively strong resistance and basically has no diseases. The most common problems are cabbage aphids, leaf roller caterpillars and diamondback moths. These pests mainly damage the stems and leaves of choy sum, and the main edible part of choy sum is precisely the tender stems and leaves it grows. When pest damage occurs, we can use trichlorfon or dimethoate emulsion for treatment. Finally, note that no pesticides can be sprayed for about half a month before harvest, as this will affect the quality of choy sum and, in severe cases, may even cause food poisoning.

The above is the choy sum cultivation method compiled for you by the Tuliu.com editor. We hope it can help you!