Dandelion is a crop everyone is familiar with, but many friends do not know much about dandelion growing techniques. Today I will introduce dandelion growing techniques. The returns from cultivating dandelions artificially are actually quite good.

Dandelion growing methods

For growing dandelions, mainly large-leaf varieties are chosen. In northern regions, solar greenhouses are used, while in southern regions plastic tunnels are used. Direct seeding is adopted for cultivation in winter and spring, harvesting early for market in spring and delaying supply in winter, with a short cycle, quick results and good quality.

Soil requirements and fertilizer needs for growing dandelions

1. Soil requirements

Dandelion has strong adaptability, is relatively drought-tolerant, tolerant of acid and alkaline conditions, resistant to moisture and shade-tolerant. It can grow under various types of soil conditions, and is best cultivated in fertile, moist, loose soil with high organic matter content.

Dandelions drying after harvest

2. Fertilizer requirements

Dandelion is a perennial-root plant with a long growth period and needs sufficient water and fertilizer. In the early growth stage, leaf growth is dominant, so more nitrogen fertilizer should be applied. In the middle and late stages, roots are being nourished, so the demand for potassium fertilizer increases, and more phosphorus and potassium fertilizer should be applied.

The growth and development process of dandelion

Dandelion has wide adaptability to temperature, being both cold-tolerant and heat-tolerant. In early spring, it can sprout when the ground temperature reaches 12°C. The optimum temperature for seed germination is 15-25°C, and the optimum temperature for leaf growth is 20-22°C. Dandelion is a short-day plant, and high temperature with short-day conditions favors bolting and flowering. The flowering and fruiting period is generally from June to August

Fertilization techniques for growing dandelions

1. Base fertilizer

Combined with land preparation, use 40 kg of compound fertilizer per mu plus 3 tonnes of decomposed farmyard manure. Spread the fertilizer evenly, plow it into the soil, level the ground and then make beds.

2. Topdressing

When the seedlings have one true leaf and one heart leaf, begin the first topdressing, applying a mixed fertilizer of diammonium phosphate and urea in a ratio of 3:1.

At the three-leaf-one-heart stage, apply the second topdressing, using the same method as the first. During the growing season, topdress 1-2 times, each time using about 13 kg of urea per mu, plus 5-8 kg of monopotassium phosphate.