Maca Planting Methods and Cultivation Techniques

Maca, also called maka, is a natural vegetable that looks like a small radish, and some people call it sweet radish. The roots of maca come in purple, red, black, white, yellow, green and other colors, among which black maca has higher nutritional value and relatively lower yield. So how do you grow maca? Is it different from growing radishes? Let's learn the maca planting method together below.

1. Seed Selection and Germination

Maca is generally grown by sowing seeds, so seed selection is the foundation for high quality and high yield of maca. Generally, just select plump, glossy seeds that are free of pests and diseases and free of contamination. Then put the seeds into warm water at about 50 degrees, soak for about 20 minutes and remove, then soak them in warm water at about 30 degrees for 6 to 10 hours, remove and soak in a carbendazim solution for about 1.5 hours, and finally rinse off the residual chemicals with clean water, dry off the moisture and they are ready for sowing.

2. Sowing and Raising Seedlings

The sowing time for maca is generally around the end of September each year, and the sowing method is generally broadcasting or drilling. On the prepared land, spread the seeds evenly, then use a rake to gently press the seeds into the soil, and then spread a layer of fine soil and manure to cover the seeds. Finally, a greenhouse needs to be built for moisture retention, which can promote the speed of maca emergence and increase the emergence rate. Generally, seedlings emerge in about 7 to 10 days, and after emergence, water once in the morning and take shade measures.

3. Thinning and Replanting

After the seedlings have grown for about one month, we need to start thinning and replanting. Gently pull out the denser seedlings together with the soil, with a distance of about 15 cm between each plant, keeping at most three seedlings per plant. Then replant the places where seedlings are missing, and the surplus seedlings can be transplanted to the main field. Before transplanting, we need to cover the main field with plastic film, and then plant the maca seedlings at a density of 20 cm between rows and 15 cm between plants.

4. Watering and Fertilizing

Because we generally choose to transplant before rain or on rainy days, we do not need to water immediately after transplanting. After the maca has survived, we should water reasonably according to the weather conditions and the water needs of the field. Never water before rain, and pay attention to timely drainage after rainfall to avoid water accumulation in the field. During the whole growth period of maca, 2 to 3 topdressings are generally needed, mainly based on the growth of the maca, mainly with ternary compound fertilizer.

5. Points to Note

During the growth period of maca, we also need to pay attention to cultivating and weeding, but when weeding, do not deep-plow, as this can affect the normal growth of maca. Second, maca generally has no pests or diseases, but still pay attention to preventing aphids, which can be sprayed and killed with imidacloprid. Pay attention to the time for seed saving, generally in early June, when the siliques of maca are generally yellowish brown. Finally, the harvest time should be reasonable, neither too early nor too late, and it is generally suitable to harvest in early December.

The sales situation of maca on the market is still quite good, but the current scale of maca planting is also quite large. At the same time, maca planting is also relatively simple, so if you want to grow maca, it is best to conduct a comprehensive market survey first and then make a decision, so as to avoid unnecessary losses. That is all for the sharing. If you want to learn more details, please stay tuned for the next content.