What are the growing environment requirements for purslane?

Purslane generally grows in rural fields, field edges, sloping land, roadsides, ditches and other places as a perennial wild vegetable, and people have been digging it up to eat since very early times. Wild vegetables all have strong growing ability; generally, even if they are not in a suitable environment, they can still survive. But if it is cultivated artificially in pursuit of yield and quality, then the most suitable growing environment for purslane should be created and provided as much as possible. So next let us look together at what conditions purslane needs to grow well.

1. Light

Purslane needs short-day conditions for growth, an environment where the sunlight is not too strong; it does not need strong light, and under strong light it may drop leaves, so it should be planted in a relatively shady place, and then receive light for a long time. Under long-day conditions, the leaves become thinner, larger, abnormally colored, lusterless, dull and unsightly, which affects the taste. But do not let it be too shady; too much shade makes it prone to pests and diseases and gives it weak resistance.

2. Temperature

Purslane likes warmth and cannot tolerate cold. During the growing period, the most suitable temperature is 25 to 35 degrees. Below 10 degrees, growth stops, so in subtropical regions it may need protected cultivation in winter. In summer, when high temperatures exceed 35 degrees, flowering is affected and growth is slow.

3. Humidity

Purslane mainly grows near water, so purslane likes moisture and needs enough water to grow well. But in order to adapt to the environment, purslane has a powerful root system, a very strong water-absorbing capacity, and the roots also have a strong regenerative ability. So during growth, irrigation should be frequent and water should be sufficient, keeping the soil at 65% moisture content. But during the peak growth period from May to June, it should not be too wet; keep the top two cm of soil dry to avoid disease. When first planting, be careful not to water; the seedlings should be hardened off to ensure that under artificial cultivation the root system remains strong.

4. Nutrition

For growth, it mainly needs the most nitrogen fertilizer, mainly growing leaves, making the leaves dark green, tender and plump, improving quality and ensuring growth needs. Nitrogen fertilizer should be applied as topdressing many times, but the base fertilizer can use farmyard manure, which has more nutrients, including the supplement of some trace element components. In the later stage, topdressing should be applied many times; potassium fertilizer should be applied sparingly, only in the early stage as long as the roots and stems are strong. In the later stage it can be applied less. In the later stage, more compound fertilizer can be applied, with multiple harvests.

5. Soil

Purslane likes fertile soil for growth. It has a powerful root system, likes water but is drought-tolerant and afraid of waterlogging, so sandy loam soil with good fertilizer retention and drainage and aeration should be chosen. Plant it in soil where aquatic plants have not been grown, and the terrain can be somewhat higher than rice paddy fields; it is best to plant it at the foot of a mountain, not far above a water source.

The above are the best environmental requirements for purslane growth. They are determined according to the growth characteristics and inherent features of purslane, and you can refer to them yourself and combine them with the actual local environment to provide and improve this environment, so that yield and quality can be increased and ensured.