What are the precautions for growing konjac? Read this one article to understand the key points

We may not be very familiar with konjac; almost everything we see is processed konjac products. The main reason is that konjac itself is toxic and can only be eaten after processing. Because konjac has effects such as detoxifying and beautifying the skin, lowering blood pressure and blood lipids, and stimulating the appetite, it has been transformed from a wild plant into a cultivated crop. Below are some issues to note when growing konjac, compiled by the editors of Qinnong.com. Let's take a look together.

1. Soil

Konjac is somewhat selective about the soil it is grown in, because it is not suitable for planting in plots with high soil clay content. If suitable soil is not chosen, the survival rate of konjac will be very low. Therefore, when planting, be sure to choose yellow soil or purple soil, as well as sandy soil and sand. The soil pH should be moderate and can be slightly acidic. Finally, note that continuous cropping is not allowed, nor should it be planted in soil where the previous crop was continuously cropped or where the previous crops were chili peppers and tobacco.

2. Time

The timing of konjac planting is also a relatively important issue, because there are certain differences in temperature and climate across China. Therefore, when planting, we need to understand the climate conditions of the location clearly and then choose a suitable time for planting. Taking the Hunan region as an example, konjac is usually best sown around April each spring for seedling raising. It usually sprouts in about 25 days, and transplanting should be completed in mid-May. This is conducive to the growth of konjac.

3. Temperature

The temperature for planting is also something we need to pay attention to, and temperature is also an important factor in judging whether sowing can be carried out. The optimal temperature suitable for konjac growth is around 15°C. When sowing, we need to test the soil temperature. If the soil temperature can remain stable at around 10°C, then it is ready for sowing. Secondly, during the growing process, it is best to regulate the temperature reasonably so that the field temperature can be maintained at around 13 to 18°C.

4. Density

Unreasonable planting density will bring many troubles to konjac, such as the impact of pests and diseases, slowed plant growth, and the yield and quality of konjac. Under conditions where the soil conditions and other aspects meet the standards relatively well, an average of about 3,000 plants can be planted per mu, and then the number should be increased or reduced according to the specific conditions of the planting site, such as soil fertility and the light conditions of the planting site. Finally, the number of plants per mu must not exceed 4,000.

5. Fertilizer and water

One of the biggest differences between konjac cultivation and the cultivation of other crops lies in water and fertilizer management. If conditions permit, apply sufficient base fertilizer as much as possible and do not carry out topdressing. At the beginning of planting, water thoroughly and reduce the frequency of watering as much as possible. This is actually more conducive to its growth. Secondly, the editor would like to add one more point here: konjac does not need much field management. It is a rough-management crop, and intensive management is instead detrimental to its growth.