Detailed explanation of the planting methods and technical key points for ice plant
The scientific name of ice plant is Mesembryanthemum crystallinum, also called crystalline ice plant. Its surface produces something like ice crystals, and it itself has a salty taste, so no salt needs to be added when eating it. It is suitable for salads or cold dishes. So for this peculiar vegetable, do you know how to grow it? Let's take a look together.
1. Planting preparation
Ice plant seeds are extremely small, and their ability to push through the soil is weak. They often fail to emerge after germination or because the soil is too hard, causing the seeds to rot and die. Therefore, before planting, the soil must be chosen well. The soil is required to be loose, breathable, and moisture-retentive. Only such soil is suitable for the growth of ice plant. Seedlings can also be raised indoors using a seedling tray filled with seedling substrate. The seedling substrate can be nutrient soil mainly composed of coconut coir blocks.
2. Sowing and seedling raising
Before sowing, soak the seeds in warm water at about 30 degrees for 2-4 hours. When sowing, sow 2-3 seeds per hole. If using a seedling tray, sow at 9 cm intervals, also 2-3 seeds. After sowing, cover with a layer of fine soil 3-5 mm thick. It should not be too deep, otherwise normal germination will be affected. After sowing, maintain the temperature at about 20 degrees. It should not be too high or too low. At low temperatures, find ways to raise the temperature. At high temperatures, strengthen ventilation to lower the temperature of the seedling-raising environment. In this way, they will soon germinate and emerge. Generally, 20-40 days after sowing, or when the seedlings grow 4-5 leaves, they can be transplanted and planted out.
3. Transplanting
When lifting seedlings for transplanting, be careful not to damage the root system of the seedlings. Also pay attention to the timing of transplanting. It is not suitable to do so on cloudy and rainy days or during high-temperature periods, so as not to affect the survival rate of transplanting. Dig holes in the planting site for transplanting, with a plant spacing and row spacing of 20×30cm per hole. After transplanting, cover with soil, then water once to help the seedlings recover. Do not water too much, then keep the temperature at about 25 degrees.
4. Field management
The suitable growth temperature for ice plant is 20-30 degrees. It is relatively sensitive to high temperatures, so attention should be paid in summer. Shading measures should be taken to prevent strong light from scorching it and causing death. Strengthen ventilation and lower the temperature of the planting site. Ice plant is relatively drought-tolerant, so when watering, do not water too much. Water again when the soil surface is dry. Ice plant grows extremely fast in the middle and later stages, and can grow a large patch in a short time.
The above is the content on how to grow ice plant. I hope it can help you. If you want to learn more about vegetable growing knowledge, please stay tuned to us.