A Detailed Guide to the Latest Planting Time and Methods for Lotus Root
Lotus root is a highly edible food that often plays an important role in our lives, and while we only know that it tastes very good, lotus root actually has some other benefits, for example, it can have a very good preventive effect and therapeutic effect on certain conditions in women. So when is the best time to plant lotus root, and how can it be planted for better results? Let's take a look together below.
Planting Time
The planting time for lotus root is related to both region and temperature. Generally, the best time for planting lotus root is March and April each year. The most suitable temperature for lotus root growth is around 20 to 30 degrees, so the earliest temperature for planting lotus root must also reach above 15 degrees, otherwise the survival rate will not be high. There is a somewhat large temperature difference between the south and north of our country, so the south generally plants lotus root in February and March, while the north is a bit later and only starts planting in April and May.
Planting Methods
1. Seed Selection
When selecting lotus root seeds, pay attention to observe whether new tender buds have grown from the lower part of the lotus root, and some new roots will also regrow beside the tender buds. Seedlings like these can be taken directly for planting. Secondly, when selecting seeds, we all choose lotus root that is at least three sections or more and intact, trying as much as possible to choose complete lotus roots that look relatively large and free of disease, and whose newly grown buds appear to be growing vigorously. The larger the lotus root seed, the better, because then the newly developed young lotus root will also be better.
2. Sowing
Lotus root seeds should not be left for too long. Generally, they are planted immediately after being selected. Before planting, the lotus root seeds must first be treated. After mixing the lotus root seeds with targeted chemicals, they are taken for planting. This can prevent in advance many diseases caused by the environment during the growth process. When planting, plant as deeply as possible, so that the lotus roots that grow will be large and good. The sowing density is estimated according to the size of the pond you choose. Generally, lotus root develops relatively quickly and spreads over a relatively large area, so generally one plant is planted every 30 to 50 cm, and before long it will cover the entire pond, densely packed.
3. Field Management
About one month after planting, the lotus leaves and lotus flowers in the pond will gradually grow out. At this time, we need to remove some leaves and flower buds to prevent them from absorbing a large amount of nutrients and hindering the growth of the lotus root. During the growth process of lotus root, when five or six lotus leaves have grown, we need to fertilize once, mainly to confirm whether it has survived. Then, after the lotus leaves in the pond have basically grown all over, fertilize once more. At this time, it shows that many small tender lotus roots have appeared and sufficient nutrients are needed. The last fertilization is when no new leaves are gradually growing in the pond. This also indicates that the lotus root in the pond is slowly growing larger, so a large amount of nutrients is needed to sustain their growth. Finally, the water level in the pond should not be too deep or too shallow, and is generally controlled at around 10 to 15 cm.
4. Harvesting
When the color on the back of the terminal leaf of the lotus root has a little bit of red, it indicates that the lotus root has matured and can be harvested. Because the lotus root grows relatively deep, and you do not know how it has grown, you need to dig slowly from its terminal leaf toward its original leaf direction. The lotus root dug out this way will be the most complete.
The above is a brief introduction from Qinnong Network about the planting time and planting methods of lotus root. If you want to learn more about lotus root planting, you can follow us.