Detailed Explanation of Key Cultivation Techniques for Mini Carrots
I. Variety Origin Finger-shaped carrot and spherical carrot are new carrot varieties introduced from Nagoya, Japan in 2003 by the Vegetable Research Institute of the Inner Mongolia Academy of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Sciences. Both trial plantings were miniature mini-type carrots, which can be used as specialty vegetables for fresh eating and as garnish for dish platters. II. Characteristics and Traits 1. Finger...
I. Variety Origin
Finger-shaped carrot and spherical carrot are new carrot varieties introduced from Nagoya, Japan in 2003 by the Vegetable Research Institute of the Inner Mongolia Academy of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Sciences. Both trial plantings were miniature mini-type carrots, which can be used as specialty vegetables for fresh eating and as garnish for dish platters.
II. Characteristics and Traits
1. Finger-shaped carrot
A small carrot variety, shaped like an adult finger, hence called finger-shaped carrot. The leaf cluster is upright, the leaf color is dark green, and the leaves are small. The fleshy root is 10-12 cm long and 1.5-2 cm thick, cylindrical in shape, with an orange outer skin and uniform color inside and out. The fleshy root expands relatively quickly and does not easily protrude above the ground. The growth period is 70-90 days. The flesh is delicate, crisp and sweet in taste, with a very thin core and high water content. The root shape is attractive with a good finish, suitable for fresh eating and Western cuisine. It is an early-maturing mini-type carrot and can be cultivated in spring and autumn.
2. Spherical carrot
A small carrot variety, shaped like a cherry radish, hence called spherical carrot. The leaf cluster is upright, the leaf color is dark green, and the leaves are small. The fleshy root is 3-4 cm thick, spherical in shape, with the skin, flesh, and core all orange. The fleshy root expands relatively quickly and does not easily protrude above the ground, with a good finish. The growth period is about 70 days. The flesh is delicate, sweet and delicious in taste, and of good quality, suitable for fresh eating and Western cuisine. It is an early-maturing mini-type carrot.
III. Main Cultivation Techniques
1. Land preparation and fertilization. Choose deep, fertile, and well-drained loam or sandy loam with a plow layer depth of 15 cm. In terms of fertilization, apply heavy base fertilizer, especially phosphate fertilizer. After the previous crop is harvested, apply 3000-5000 kg/mu of decomposed organic fertilizer in combination with plowing. After land preparation and fertilization, irrigate once with sufficient bottom water 5-7 days before sowing to ensure the soil is moist during the emergence period. To prevent weed damage during the emergence period, after leveling the seedbed surface, use 120 ml of trifluralin per mu mixed with 30 kg of water and spray the surface soil. The above pesticides should be used alternately, and each pesticide is limited to 1 use during the growth period.
2. Scientific management. After sowing and before emergence, water according to soil moisture conditions to keep the soil moist. Conduct field observations at any time to ensure a full stand. After the seedlings emerge completely, thin the seedlings at the 1-2 true leaf stage, thin again at the 2-3 true leaf stage, and final thinning at the 5-6 true leaf stage. After final thinning, the plant spacing and row spacing are: 3-5 cm x 18 cm for finger-shaped carrot, and 5-6 cm x 20 cm for spherical carrot. After thinning, cultivate to achieve weed control and supply oxygen to the soil. After final thinning, begin watering and topdressing to promote the expansion of the root stem. During the entire growth period, topdressing and watering can be done 2-3 times. Take care to keep the soil moist regularly to prevent the fleshy root from becoming thin, small, and rough or from cracking.
3. Pest and disease control. During the seedling stage, the main damage is from underground pests, commonly including cutworms, mole crickets, and others.