How to Grow Ququcai (Field Sowthistle)? A Full Breakdown of the Latest Planting Methods

Ququcai is also called field sowthistle (Sonchus arvensis). It looks very similar to dandelion and bittercress, and although they are all wild vegetables, there are still big differences in nutritional value and effects. The biggest difference between Ququcai and other wild vegetables is that it is mainly used as medicine, and it can be used to treat sudden illnesses such as dysentery, acute pharyngitis, hemorrhoids and appendicitis. So how should Ququcai be grown artificially? Let's take a look together below.

1. Land preparation and fertilizing

Ququcai is a light-loving plant, so we should choose a sunny slope or semi-sunny slope with relatively sufficient sunlight. Next, the soil nutrients in the planting site should be relatively sufficient and the soil should be loose. Soil that is too sticky is not suitable for growing Ququcai, as it is prone to diseases such as phytophthora blight and downy mildew caused by improper water management. At the same time, the land should be deeply plowed, at least about 20 cm, and a layer of organic fertilizer should be spread evenly. Then the land should be turned over again, the soil broken up into granules about the size of a little fingertip, the ground raked level, and finally drainage ditches made before sowing.

2. Scientific sowing

Sowing Ququcai must be done scientifically. Ququcai is generally sown around February or March each spring, when the soil temperature has basically reached about 10 degrees, which is just right for Ququcai seeds to germinate. The sowing methods are generally divided into drilling and broadcasting. For broadcasting, the planting site needs to be watered once before sowing, and the soil must be thoroughly watered. When water is felt seeping out, spread the seeds evenly over the land, then use a rake to gently press the seeds into the soil, and cover with plastic film to raise seedlings. For drilling, small furrows need to be made in the field, then the small furrows should be thoroughly watered, the seeds spread evenly into the small furrows, lightly covered with soil, and finally covered with plastic film.

3. Seedling stage management

Usually seedlings emerge in about 3 to 5 days. At this time, we need to observe the growth of the Ququcai seedlings in the field, then thin and fill in seedlings in time to complete final planting. After final planting, we should water reasonably and maintain the soil moisture in the field, so as to maintain the normal growth of Ququcai.

4. Field management

Generally, after about half a month, the first weeding and fertilizing must be carried out. If there are few weeds in the field, we can directly pull them by hand. But if there are too many weeds, it needs to be combined with intertillage, and 100 jin of urea, 50 jin of phosphate fertilizer and 30 jin of potassium fertilizer should be applied per mu to maintain the normal growth of Ququcai. During the entire growth process of Ququcai, weeding needs to be carried out at least about 3 to 4 times. As for topdressing, fertilizer should be applied reasonably according to the specific growth of Ququcai, and during this period it should be reasonably combined with watering. Finally, if there is heavy rainfall or a lot of rain, the drainage channels in the field need to be dredged in time, so as to avoid some unnecessary diseases.

5. Timely harvesting

Ququcai is a wild vegetable harvested multiple times a year, so when harvesting, we should note that it can be harvested when it grows to about 10 to 15 cm. We only need to cut and collect the tender branches above, then water the roots with manure and urine water. After half a month, it can be harvested again, and continuous harvesting can continue until winter. However, in winter, what needs attention is keeping it warm, otherwise it cannot grow new tender branches,