The Latest Planting Time and Method for Red Flowering Stalk (Purple Cai-tai) Explained in Detail
Red flowering stalk seedlings, also known as Yuncaitai and purple cai-tai, have a long history of cultivation and were already famous more than a thousand years ago. It is a specialty vegetable of China, and different planting times produce red flowering stalks with different flavors. So how should red flowering stalk be planted? Let's learn about it together.
1. Sowing Time
Generally, it is not known from July to late September; the best sowing time is late August. The earlier the sowing time, the more difficult seedling raising becomes, the mortality rate after transplanting is also relatively high, the yield is low, and the cai-tai produced tastes rather bitter. If the sowing time is delayed, there are fewer dead seedlings, but the harvest period is shortened, reducing the number of harvests and affecting yield.
2. Seedling Stage Management
The seedbed should be deeply plowed and leveled, and 1-2 grams should be sown per square meter. To prevent disease, chlorothalonil can be mixed with fine soil and broadcast. Before emergence, the soil should be kept moist. After emergence, when high-temperature and drought weather occurs, it is advisable to water in the evening, and at the same time pay attention to pests such as aphids, striped flea beetles, and diamondback moths. The seedling age for early-maturing varieties is 20-24 days; if it exceeds 24 days, it may bolt in the seedbed or bolt after transplanting without growing a rosette. For medium-maturing varieties, a seedling age of 25 days is best, and for late-maturing varieties, a seedling age of one month is best.
3. Transplanting
The transplanting site should be prepared at least 10 days before transplanting, generally by plowing and harrowing twice, then opening furrows and making beds. Before transplanting, sufficient base fertilizer should be applied; per mu, 2500 kg of decomposed farmyard manure or 100 kg of compound fertilizer is suitable. Water thoroughly the day before transplanting to make seedling removal easier. When removing seedlings, it is best to transplant with soil; if soil cannot be kept, try not to damage the roots, and transplant immediately after removal. Seedlings should not be planted too deep, so as not to cover the seedlings. Water promptly after planting, and after planting a plot, water thoroughly once more, but flooding irrigation is not suitable. Reasonably control plant and row spacing to ensure good air permeability. If early bolting occurs before or after, the main stalk can be removed and appropriately more nitrogen fertilizer applied to help it return to normal.
4. Field Management
The soil should be kept moist throughout the growth period. When leaves are found to be wilting from lack of water, water promptly. Topdress 4-5 times throughout the growth period. Ammonium bicarbonate is not recommended for application, because fertilizer and water are closely related to cai-tai formation. Before and after budding, sufficient fertilizer and water are needed to ensure the plant's cai-tai formation, especially for early-maturing varieties, which require an even more sufficient supply of fertilizer and water. In addition, pay attention to preventing and controlling diseases of red flowering stalk. The main diseases include downy mildew, soft rot, viral disease, black spot, and clubroot, and prevention and control should be given attention.
The above is an introduction to the planting time and methods of red flowering stalk. We hope it helps you. To learn more related knowledge, please follow us.