The five-character classic of vegetable growing: remember these five characters to grow good vegetables
Zhou Tianlu, a specialized vegetable grower in Xiaoyuan Village, Shegang Town, Liuyang City, Hunan Province, began growing vegetables in 1986. Because he lacked funds and technology, his vegetable-growing returns had always been poor. In practice he came to deeply realize that to grow good vegetables he must arm his mind with science and technology, so he subscribed to quite a few science and technology newspapers and magazines and studied them earnestly. Through year after year of learning, his vegetable-growing skills kept improving and his returns gradually increased. He was rated a science and technology demonstration household and was also hired by the town vegetable office as a technician. In 2000 Zhou Tianlu was awarded the title of "outstanding practical talent at county, township and village level" by Changsha City. In 2009 Zhou Tianlu planned for his vegetable-growing output value to reach 100,000 yuan.
Usually, people often ask Zhou Tianlu about vegetable-growing techniques, and his experience and understanding is that growing vegetables requires skillfully reciting the "five-character classic."
First, recite the classic of the character "early" This means using facilities such as plastic tunnels in spring for early-maturing forcing cultivation. For example, solanaceous fruits and cucurbits given multi-layer covering can have their marketing period advanced by more than 30 days. Vegetables marketed early fetch high prices and give good returns. Last year, the zucchini he grew came to market on April 8, the tomatoes on May 19, the small pumpkins on May 1, the cowpeas on May 20, and the hyacinth beans and bitter melons on May 22. Among them, peppers, pumpkins, hyacinth beans and others reached a maximum output value of 6,000 yuan per mu. The income from these early vegetables accounted for more than half of his total vegetable-growing income.
Second, recite the classic of the character "late" That is, carrying out delayed cultivation. Delayed cultivation means coming to market when the ordinary vegetables have finished or are about to finish their season. For example, peppers given autumn delayed cultivation can still be picked and marketed at New Year's Day and the Spring Festival. Vegetables such as beans and cucurbits can also be given autumn delayed cultivation. Delayed cultivation can stagger the peak marketing period and achieve better returns.
Third, recite the classic of the character "quality" That is, working hard on product quality. From selecting improved varieties to scientific cultivation and management, he pays close attention to both intrinsic quality and external color and luster in the vegetables he grows. He chooses fine varieties and carries out optimized cultivation, and the vegetables he produces have won customers' favor in the market because of their good quality.
Fourth, recite the classic of the character "reverse" That is, growing off-season vegetables well. Growing autumn vegetables in spring and summer vegetables in winter can bring relatively good returns. For example, Chinese cabbage planted in spring can generally reach an output value of more than 3,000 yuan per mu.
Fifth, recite the classic of the character "change" That is, always staying ahead of others. For example, when introducing new varieties, he is always ahead of others. When old varieties and ordinary vegetables show signs of oversupply on the market, he clears the field early and switches to the next crop. After he grows a new crop of vegetables, others follow suit and grow it; once too many people are growing it, he switches to another variety. For example, with pumpkins, at first he grew Huangshulang pumpkins, and before long everyone followed suit, so he switched to vine-less pumpkins, and later switched again to small green pumpkins. In recent years he switched again to Yichuanling pumpkins. Starting last year, everyone again followed suit one after another in introducing them. In 2009 he planned to switch again to another variety.
(Source: Anhui Agricultural Network)