The Latest Guide to Management Techniques and Methods Before and After Winter Leek Shed Covering
When cultivating leeks in winter, because the temperature is relatively low, a shed must be covered to keep them warm so that the leeks can grow normally, and the management before and after covering the shed is also relatively important, directly affecting the growth and yield of the leeks. So how should leeks be managed before and after covering the shed? Let's take a look together.
I. Management Before Covering the Shed
1. Time for Covering the Shed
The time for covering the shed is relatively important. If the shed is covered too early, the leeks grow rapidly and are extremely susceptible, affecting the final yield; but if the shed is covered too late, the leeks will enter a passive dormant period, causing slow growth. Therefore, the time for covering the shed should be determined according to the leeks' root return and the expected market time, and is generally carried out in mid-to-late November.
2. Preparation Before Covering the Shed
Before covering the shed, the aboveground results, weeds, and dead leaves must be cleaned up, and any snow should also be swept clean to avoid snowmelt flowing into the beds, reducing pathogen latent stress resistance and lowering the degree of disease occurrence.
II. Management After Covering the Shed
1. Temperature Management
In the initial stage after covering the shed, the temperature should not be too high and should be raised gradually. Soil temperature can be increased and the pseudostem height increased through intertillage and hilling. During the day, the temperature should be controlled between 18-26 degrees, and at night between 8-10 degrees, and must not be lower than 5 degrees.
2. Humidity Management
Timely ventilation and air exchange is one of the important measures for regulating the temperature and humidity inside the shed, expelling harmful gases, and promoting leek growth. It can also improve leek quality and reduce disease occurrence. Appropriate ventilation is needed 4-5 days before harvesting the first crop of leeks, and after harvesting the shed should be closed to raise the temperature, which is beneficial for wound healing.
3. Fertilizer and Water Management
Fertilizer and water are the material basis for leek growth. Generally, before covering the shed, fertilization should be combined with irrigation of freezing water, and after covering the shed, no watering or fertilizing is needed before the second crop. If fertilizer and water are insufficient before covering the shed, the plants will grow weakly, and when harvesting the first crop, appropriate watering and fertilization can be done, applying quick-acting nitrogen fertilizer at 20—30 jin/mu with the water.
4. Pest and Disease Control
After covering the shed, the main pest is the leek maggot, which can be controlled by the traditional method of irrigating organophosphorus pesticides when watering, or by spraying cyromazine after the shed is covered and the soil thaws. The main diseases are gray mold and blight. For eggplant gray mold, 50% iprodione suspension concentrate at 600 times dilution, or 40% pyrimethanil at 600 times dilution can be sprayed for control, while for blight, 600 times dilution of Infinito or 800 times dilution of Mefenoxam can be used for control.
The above is an introduction to the management techniques for winter leeks before and after covering the shed. We hope it can help you. To learn more related knowledge, please follow us.