What are the latest propagation methods for water spinach?
Water spinach is a relatively familiar vegetable to us. Because its stem is hollow, it is named water spinach, and it is grown in most parts of our country. It is rich in nutrients and high in vitamins, and also has the effects of cooling the blood and detoxifying, so it is relatively popular among consumers on the market. So do you know how it propagates? Let's learn about it together.
1. Propagation methods
Water spinach has strong vitality. It can be propagated both by seeds and asexually. In daily life, the more commonly used method is seed propagation, but asexual propagation is also relatively widely used. Because the climate in some areas is unsuitable for water spinach to flower and set fruit, it cannot normally retain seeds, so at that time only asexual propagation can be carried out.
2. Seed propagation
Seed propagation of water spinach has two methods: direct sowing and raising seedlings for transplanting. Both can be sown when spring warms up. Generally, in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, sowing begins in April. At sowing time, because the temperature is relatively low and the climate is also rainy, in order to avoid seed rot, the seeds are generally soaked to promote germination before sowing, or the methods of plastic film mulching or greenhouse cultivation are used.
Before sowing, prepare the soil finely, then apply sufficient base fertilizer before sowing. For direct sowing, the seed rate per mu is about 10 kg, while for the seedling-raising and transplanting method, the seed rate is 1-2 times that, about 15-20 kg per mu. After sowing, cover with loose soil or wood ash soil to prevent the seeds from germinating and taking root. For the direct sowing method, thin the seedlings in time when they grow to 3-5 cm, and later they still need to be planted out, while for the seedling-raising and transplanting method, it is only necessary to take larger seedlings for transplanting when the seedlings grow to more than 15 cm.
3. Asexual propagation
Water spinach easily develops adventitious roots, so asexual propagation easily survives. In some areas, the reserved seed roots are generally planted directly in the field one year in advance. When the seedlings grow to a certain extent, the vines are pressed so as to sprout new roots and promote new seedlings. It can also be raised in a greenhouse environment, and when the seedlings grow to 10-15 cm, they are cuttings inserted into leeward, sunny, warm and fertile soil.
The above is an introduction to how water spinach propagates. We hope it can help you. If you want to learn more related knowledge, please keep following us.