How to Grow Taro: A Detailed Guide to the Latest Planting Methods
Taro is a perennial tuberous plant. It can be steamed, used in soups, stir-fried with meat, and so on. The nutrients in it can protect teeth, promote digestion, and more. Moreover, taro is a crop with relatively high economic value. Many people want to grow it but do not know how, so today the editor brings you the methods for growing taro.
1. Site Selection and Land Preparation
Taro is a warm-climate crop with poor cold and drought tolerance. Around 26 degrees is the optimum temperature for the taro growing period. If the temperature is below 12 or above 26, the growth and development of taro will be hindered. Although taro is a water-loving crop, it should not be waterlogged, and even less should it be too dry. It cannot be grown continuously on the same land. Otherwise, the growth and development of taro will be seriously poor. Taro is suitable for planting in land that is relatively moist and has a good drainage system. Before sowing, the land should be plowed and sufficient base fertilizer applied. Per mu, ash and miscellaneous fertilizer mixed with a ternary compound fertilizer is applied. Ash and miscellaneous fertilizer that has not been fully decomposed cannot be used.
2. Sowing and Building Sheds
Taro is generally suitable for sowing in spring. If the local ground temperature is still relatively low, sowing can be postponed until Qingming Festival. If you decide to use film covering after sowing, you can start sowing around the Beginning of Spring, with a dosage of about 200 jin per mu. Choose worthless small taro with no cracks and no pests or diseases for sowing. When sowing, make the field beds well. Set the row spacing between furrows at about 0.5 m, and the spacing between each plant at about 0.25 m. Cover after sowing. After emergence, build sheds. Every four or five shed poles should be tied tightly at the top with rope to prevent them from being blown down by strong winds.
3. Strengthen Management
After emergence, apply farmyard manure about twice. In summer, apply compound fertilizer appropriately according to the growth trend of taro, which can promote the growth of taro root tubers. Loosen the soil and weed appropriately, remove side vines and heart leaves, ensure permeability between taro plants, and improve quality and yield. What also needs attention are the pests and diseases that commonly occur in daily life, such as aphids and white grubs. In the middle and late stages, when the corms are expanding and the leaves are growing, ensure the moisture needed for growth. In case of heavy rain, drain water promptly to prevent waterlogging damage.
4. Harvesting and Storage
The harvest period for taro is generally in autumn and winter. After taro matures, it can be pulled out directly. Store the large, well-developed taro, and the poorly developed ones can be used as seeds for the next sowing. If after harvesting you are not in a hurry to sell, you can put the taro into a cellar for storage over winter. When storing, cover the taro layer by layer with soil, not exceeding one meter, and pay attention to ventilation and maintaining moisture. As long as it does not dry out, taro can be stored for a very long time without rotting.
The above is a brief introduction to growing taro. What everyone should note is that taro has a relatively large demand for water, and during the growth process of taro, its water demand must be ensured. Lack of water will cause poor growth of taro and affect yield and quality. It will also directly affect everyone's economic interests. If you want to learn more about agricultural knowledge, please continue to follow Qinong Network!