When is the best time to plant autumn celtuce? Master these six techniques for a high yield

Celtuce is a common vegetable in China, deeply loved by people for its easy cultivation, low investment cost, and affordable price. Almost every household grows it, so when is the best time to plant autumn celtuce? How do you grow it for a high yield?

1. When is the best time to plant autumn celtuce?

Autumn celtuce is generally planted in September to October, but the specific planting time needs to be determined according to local climate conditions, variety characteristics, facility conditions, and the arrangement of planting stubble throughout the year, so as to set a suitable celtuce planting time. In this way, the celtuce grown for 40 to 50 days is transplanted when the seedlings have 5 to 6 true leaves, can safely overwinter in winter, has sufficient time to grow leaf clusters after turning green the following spring, and can obtain a high yield when harvested in April to May.

2. How do you grow autumn celtuce for a high yield?

1. Variety selection

When celtuce encounters high temperatures above 22 to 24°C and long-day conditions, it rapidly differentiates flower buds, and the seedling stage of autumn celtuce is often under such conditions that favor bolting, so it is necessary to choose medium- to late-maturing varieties that respond more slowly to high temperature and long days. Generally, pointed-leaf celtuce matures later and is more heat-tolerant at the seedling stage.

2. Determining the sowing period

Autumn celtuce takes about 3 months from sowing to harvest. The suitable temperature period for the growth of stems and leaves of autumn celtuce is within about 60 days after the average ten-day temperature drops to around 21°C, so it is relatively safe to arrange the seedling stage one month before the average ten-day temperature drops to 21 to 22°C. If sowing is too late, although premature bolting can be avoided, the yield is low due to the short growth period, and it is prone to frost damage in the later stage. Generally, sowing from late July to early August is more suitable.

3. Low-temperature treatment of seeds

The suitable germination temperature for celtuce seeds is 15 to 20°C. When sown in summer, the temperature is high, making seed germination difficult, so low-temperature treatment is needed before sowing. Methods include: (1) Soak in cool water for 5 to 6 hours, take out and filter off the water, place at 15 to 16°C under light to promote germination, and after 2 to 3 days, when germination reaches 60%, it can be sown. (2) Freeze in a 0 to 4°C refrigerator for 4 to 5 hours, then promote germination at 15 to 16°C under light. (3) Put the soaked seeds into a cloth bag, hang it above the water surface of a deep well, and sow after sprouts appear in 2 to 3 days. (4) Alternatively, choose a seed coating agent for seed dressing to protect the seeds; you can choose carboxin and thiram, or fludioxonil coating for seed dressing.

4. Seedling stage management

Seeds can be sown in nutrient pots or on seedbeds. After sowing, it is advisable to set up tall shading frames or hang shade nets. Seedlings should not be too dense, to prevent excessive growth.

5. Transplanting and management

It is advisable to choose a plot with fertile topsoil and strong water retention, and apply sufficient base fertilizer before planting. Transplanting should preferably be done in the afternoon with soil attached to the roots. The seedling age should be about 25 days, no more than 30 days at most. Strictly select seedlings and eliminate excessive-growth seedlings. The density should preferably be 20 to 26 cm square. After transplanting, water to settle the roots; in dry weather, water once again to ensure survival. To prevent premature bolting, the supply of fertilizer and water should be sufficient, especially nitrogen fertilizer, to accelerate leaf occurrence and leaf area expansion. Generally, after seedling recovery, at the rosette stage, and when the stem begins to expand, apply quick-acting nitrogen fertilizer each time, and at the same time add an appropriate amount of potassium fertilizer at the last application, which can better promote stem thickening. In short, lack of water and fertilizer is one of the important reasons for bolting in autumn celtuce, and full attention must be paid to this.

6. Rational use of growth regulators

Use plant growth regulators to inhibit premature bolting. When the celtuce rows close and the stem begins to thicken, spray the leaf surface with 500 to 1000 mg/kg of gibberellic acid or 6000 to 10000 mg/kg of daminozide, which can effectively inhibit bolting and increase stem weight, but note that it must not be used at the seedling stage.

The above is the planting time and planting methods for autumn celtuce. We hope it is helpful to everyone!