Detailed Explanation of Key Points for Growing Ceylon Spinach in Early Autumn

Ceylon spinach (Malabar spinach) is grown for its tender stems and leaves, which have high nutritional value. Because it is heat-tolerant and grows rapidly, it is suitable for fast-growing cultivation in early autumn. The cultivation techniques are introduced as follows:

1. Cultivation method. For early autumn cultivation, there is no need to sprout the seeds. For broadcast sowing, the seeding rate is 6-8 kg per mu, with an effective standing plant population of 30,000 plants per mu.

2. Variety selection. It is advisable to choose high-quality, high-yielding, disease-resistant varieties such as red-stem Ceylon spinach and green-stem Ceylon spinach.

3. Field management. For those grown mainly for harvesting tender shoots, when the seedlings are about 30 cm tall, leave 3-4 leaves at the base, harvest the tender shoot tips, and keep two vigorous lateral buds to form shoots. When harvesting the second round of shoots, keep 2-4 lateral buds to form shoots. During the period of vigorous growth, keep 6-8 vigorous lateral buds per plant to form shoots. In the mid-to-late stage, promptly remove flower stems and young buds. In the later stage, as growth weakens, keep 1-2 vigorous lateral shoots to promote leaf enlargement.

For those grown for the purpose of harvesting leaves, trellis cultivation is required. When the seedlings are about 30 cm tall, set up an A-frame trellis and train the vines onto it. In addition to the main vine, keep two vigorous lateral vines at the base to form the framework vines. When the framework vines reach the top of the trellis, pinch off the growing tips, and after pinching, keep one vigorous lateral bud from each framework vine. After the leaves on the framework vines have been harvested, cut them down from the trellis. When trellising and after each harvest, earth up the soil around the plants.

After emergence from direct sowing and during the growth period, promptly carry out intertillage and weeding to prevent weeds from competing for nutrients. For base fertilizer, well-rotted farmyard manure, compost, or livestock and poultry manure is best. For top dressing, apply well-rotted human and livestock manure or urea dissolved in water. After emergence, keep the soil moist and water in a timely manner. After each harvest, promptly apply 10 kg of urea as top dressing. In the rainy season, drain water promptly to prevent waterlogging.

4. Scientific harvesting. For those grown mainly for tender shoots, when the seedlings are about 30 cm tall, leave 2 true leaves at the base and cut with scissors; when the lateral branches that sprout have 5-6 true leaves, harvest again in the same way. For those grown mainly for tender leaves, harvest once every 15-20 days in the early stage, once every 10-15 days in the mid-growth stage, and once every 7-10 days in the late stage. The harvested leaves should be fully expanded but not yet old, and thick and fleshy.

Cai Yongmin