Points to Note When Harvesting Lotus Root: Keep These Key Points in Mind
Lotus root is an aquatic cash crop. The leaves, fruits and flowers of the lotus all play a major role in daily life, and it is a common vegetable. Because lotus root grows underwater, certain precautions are needed when harvesting it. Freshly matured lotus root is very fragile and will break with the slightest carelessness. But it is not only the root that needs careful handling during harvest; other aspects also require attention. Let's take a look below.
1. Lotus Leaves
When lotus root reaches maturity and is ready for harvest, the lotus leaves no longer affect the growth and development of the stems and roots. On the day of digging the root, some of the lotus leaves need to be removed, and the picked leaves are dried in the sun and then stored to wrap things that need wrapping. The leaves can also be removed about a week before the planned harvest, because this stops the respiration and development of the lotus root, removes the rust marks on it, makes it easier to clean after being dug out, and enhances its appearance and quality.
2. Digging the Root
When the underside of the lotus leaves turns red and begins to wither and yellow, it means the lotus root has matured. If you start digging when the lotus leaves are still tender green, the lotus root is very tender at this time and will break with the slightest carelessness, so the water in the field must not be drained and you need to feel around with your hands to dig the root out. Alternatively, dig the root when the lotus leaves have withered, but the water in the field must be drained 7-11 days before digging, and then an iron shovel or other tools are used to dig it out. First dig out the upper root, then follow the root to hollow out the mud below, and slowly free the root.
3. Storage
Lotus root is a crop that is not easy to store. In autumn and spring it can be stored for at most 1-2 weeks, while in winter the storage time is longer and it can be kept for about a month. However, the lotus root being stored must be fully mature and unbroken, and the mud on the root must not be washed off. If there are broken specimens, they need to be sealed with mud from the field. During storage and transport, the stacking density must not be too high, and lotus leaves or straw should be spread over the lotus root to keep it moist and prevent it from rotting.
4. Saving Seed Roots
When harvesting lotus root, seed roots for the next planting must be left in the lotus field. The soil of the lotus field should be fairly sticky and soft. When the seed roots overwinter, a water layer of 1-3 cm must be maintained in the lotus field, and the soil must not be allowed to freeze and crack. If the water layer in the field cannot be maintained, a layer of lotus leaves or straw can be spread over the soil to protect against the cold. The seed roots can be found by the places in the field where bubbles rise to the surface, and attention should be paid to the neatness of the daughter roots and their direction of growth.
The above are the conditions required before and during the digging of lotus root. When digging, be sure not to break the root, as breaking it causes the loss of nutrients and affects the quality of the root. So use little force when digging and do not use too much strength. Lotus root is a crop that cannot go without water, and after being dug out it must still be kept supplied with the water it needs. Maintain the variety of the lotus root.