How to Grow Water Spinach? The Latest Cultivation Techniques and Methods Tutorial
Water spinach, also known as swamp cabbage, was originally a vegetable native to East Asia, and now it is widely cultivated across our country. It is mainly concentrated in the south, and cultivation in the north is uncommon. Water spinach has a very large market demand in our country, so the cultivation area is also constantly expanding. So how exactly should water spinach be grown? Below, the editor brings you the cultivation techniques for water spinach, let's take a look!
1. Seed treatment
Water spinach seeds need to be soaked before planting, because the seeds are relatively hard. If they are sown without treatment, the seeds will have difficulty absorbing water, the germination rate will be extremely low, and they may even fail to germinate. And if low-temperature rainy weather occurs, the seeds are also prone to rotting. Therefore, before sowing, we should soak the seeds for one day, and after sowing, cover them with a layer of fine soil to promote seed sprouting and rooting. Then cover appropriately for sowing, and seedlings will emerge after about a week.
2. Sowing and raising seedlings
There are two methods of growing water spinach: direct sowing and transplanting. Adjust the planting time according to the growing region. If growing in North China, the sowing time is generally gradually carried out around Qingming Festival. If cultivating in protected cultivation, the planting time can be appropriately advanced. For direct sowing, dibbling is the main method, with the spacing between sowing holes controlled at about 18 cm, sowing about 3 seeds per hole, and the seed rate kept at 10kg/mu. When the seedlings grow to about 3cm, carry out thinning, then control the density well and transplant at the right time.
3. Fertilizer and water management
After the water spinach survives transplanting, do a good job of cultivating and weeding, which can not only raise the soil temperature but also facilitate the soil's absorption of fertilizer. About 30 days after transplanting, summer begins, and at this time the temperature gradually rises. The growth rate of water spinach will also accelerate, so the demand for water and fertilizer is also relatively large, so the amount of fertilization and watering should be increased. The topdressing fertilizer should mainly be nitrogen fertilizer, and attention should be paid to controlling the concentration well to avoid fertilizer burn to the seedlings. The soil should be kept moist, especially in the high-temperature season, and watering should be done well to ensure the growth of stems and leaves.
4. Pest and disease control
Pest and disease control in water spinach cultivation is also very important. If control is improper, it will have a very large impact on the yield and quality of water spinach. Common pests and diseases of water spinach include anthracnose, cabbage caterpillars, and so on. We should focus on prevention and enhance the disease resistance of water spinach. Regularly disinfect the vegetable garden, do a good job of cultivating and weeding, and control the amount of water and fertilizer well, so as to avoid excessive water and fertilizer instead affecting the growth of water spinach.
The above is a brief introduction to the cultivation techniques of water spinach. The cultivation techniques of water spinach are actually not difficult; the main thing is to pay attention to doing a good job in water and fertilizer management, pest and disease control, and so on. That is all for today's introduction. This article is for reference only, and I hope it can help everyone!