The Latest Fertilization Methods and Precautions for Choy Sum

Choy sum, also known as bok choy sprouts and water bok choy flowers, is a herbaceous plant of the Brassicaceae family with extremely high edible and cultivation value. Fertilization is an important task when growing choy sum. So how should choy sum be fertilized? Let's take a look at the detailed introduction below.

1. Fertilization Principles

Choy sum prefers a warm and humid climate. Its root system is relatively shallow with many fibrous roots, and it survives after transplanting, so when planting, it should be transplanted into sandy loam soil rich in organic matter and with good drainage. As for mineral requirements, choy sum has the highest demand for nitrogen fertilizer, followed by potassium, and the least for phosphorus. According to experimental evidence, for every 1000 kg of choy sum produced, it needs to absorb 2.2-3.6 kg of pure nitrogen, 0.6-1 kg of phosphorus, and 1.1-3.8 kg of potassium. Therefore, when fertilizing, attention should be paid to rational fertilization, and it is not advisable to apply too much or excessive amounts.

2. Base Fertilizer

Choy sum is a fast-growing vegetable with shallow roots and a short growth period, so to meet its nutritional needs during the growth period, it is very necessary to apply sufficient base fertilizer. The base fertilizer is mainly composed of decomposed organic fertilizer and farmyard manure. Attention should be paid to the application amount of base fertilizer; generally, applying 80-100 kg of organic fertilizer per mu can meet the needs of choy sum in the early growth stage.

3. Topdressing

Although choy sum has a short growth period, it needs to be topdressed three times throughout the entire growth period. The first time is at the seedling stage, when nitrogen-based compound fertilizer is mainly used, diluted with water at 800 times and applied as a drench, once every 3-5 days, for a total of two applications, to promote seedling growth. The second time is during the leaf growth stage, when nitrogen-based compound fertilizer is also mainly used, but the concentration of the fertilizer can be increased, diluted with water at 300 times and applied as a drench once. The third time is in the late growth stage, when high-potassium compound fertilizer is mainly used, diluted with water at 300 times and applied as a drench once.

4. Precautions

Undecayed farmyard manure and organic fertilizer should not be used directly. Undecayed farmyard manure contains large amounts of insect eggs and pathogens, and also produces large amounts of carbon dioxide and heat, which will burn the seedling roots and affect seed germination. When using chemical fertilizers, be sure to pay attention to the concentration; too high a concentration may cause seedling burn, which can easily lead to seedling death.

The above is an introduction to the fertilization methods and precautions for choy sum. We hope it can help you. If you want to learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.