Even a tiny balcony can grow these 2 vegetables, and you can harvest a crop in 15 days
Gardeners often have this worry: with a balcony the size of a palm, what exactly should you grow? Take a look at these recommendations from Huahua, they grow fast, are highly nutritious, and I hear they are not cheap either!
Crystal ice plant
Crystal ice plant, also called ice plant or ice grass. Because its body is covered with transparent bubbles, and under the sunlight they look like ice crystals all over its surface. And the liquid in these bubbles also contains salt, so you do not even need to add salt when cooking it!
Growing tips
1. Sowing
Just make sure the soil is loose and soft. You can use special seedling soil, or worm castings and the like. Before sowing, level the soil, water it, and then scatter the seeds on the soil surface.
Because ice plant seeds are very small, we only need to cover them with a thin layer of soil. After covering with soil, spray water mist evenly and wait for them to sprout.
2. Management after sowing
The temperature for ice plant seed germination is best kept between 20 and 25°C. Last month the temperature was too high, and the seeds of many gardeners did not sprout.
For water, observe at all times, and water promptly when you find the soil has dried. Once the seedlings grow 4 true leaves, they can be transplanted into a larger flower pot.
In regular care, note that the ice plant is a relatively drought-tolerant plant, so we can wait until the soil is dry before watering, and moderate drought is helpful for the formation of ice crystals!
Harvesting
Generally, after transplanting, we can harvest in 1 month. Its branching ability is especially strong. Once the side branches grow to more than 15cm, we can use scissors to cut 10cm below the stem tip.
Ice plant can be harvested many times, which means we can keep picking it, and over time you will find that it can also bloom with white flowers, and after the flowers fade you can also harvest seeds.
Cooking recommendation
Wash the harvested ice plant clean, soak it briefly in clean water, drain the water, mix peanut butter with warm water until smooth, pour it evenly over the ice plant, then add a few drops of white vinegar. It melts in your mouth, absolutely a delicacy on earth.
Andrographis paniculata
The Andrographis paniculata mentioned here is not the medicinal kind, but the one commonly seen on dining tables in recent years, which is actually the heartleaf ice plant we usually grow. Its leaves are edible. I wonder if any flower lovers have this plant at home?
Growing tips
1. Cuttings
If you want to grow Andrographis paniculata at home, it is actually not that troublesome. We can buy some from the vegetable market, keep one or two before cooking, and just plant them directly as cuttings.
Generally choose relatively thick top branches, cut the stems into cuttings about 8cm long, and insert them into relatively loose soil.
2. Management after cuttings
After cuttings, slowly water thoroughly and place in a cool, ventilated place. Under normal conditions, they become seedlings in 1 month. Its growth speed is super fast.
In regular care, give it sufficient light, avoid summer sun exposure, and provide enough water, but be careful not to let water accumulate.
Harvesting
Generally, you can harvest 1 week after pinching. Choose tender tips about 7cm long, leaving 3 to 4 leaves at the lower part. Once the plant grows larger, we need to harvest often.
After each harvest, as long as the temperature is suitable, it can quickly grow new branches. A supply once every half a month is absolutely no problem.
Cooking recommendation
Wash the harvested Andrographis paniculata clean, blanch it in boiling water until cooked, rinse with cold water, take it out and drain the water, add minced garlic, salt, vinegar, sugar, and chicken essence, mix well and it is ready to eat. It is a very good cold dish!
Two vegetables recommended for everyone
If you are tempted too
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