Hyacinth Bean Growing Tips and FAQ
The hyacinth bean has a wide distribution range in China, and there are many varieties; by color we can generally classify them as white hyacinth beans, purple hyacinth beans, red hyacinth beans, and green hyacinth beans. The hyacinth bean has strong adaptability to the environment, is easy to grow, and has a high survival rate, but there are still many things we need to pay attention to during the growing process. So do you know what issues need attention when growing hyacinth beans? Now follow along with the editor to learn about the key points for growing hyacinth beans.
1. Planting time
The planting time for hyacinth beans is one point we need to pay attention to, because the climate in each region of China still differs somewhat, so the planting time will certainly be earlier or later. But under normal circumstances, we can begin sowing one after another around the middle of January each year, but it is not until after the middle of February that we can begin transplanting and setting out the seedlings one after another. There is another point to note: in the area around the Yangtze River basin in China, the time for growing hyacinth beans is from May to July in summer, while in North China it is sown in June. That is to say, we cannot sow randomly, otherwise it will affect the germination rate of the hyacinth beans and the later yield.
2. Planting density
If we want the hyacinth beans to grow well and have high yield and quality later, then planting density is also a very important issue. Under normal circumstances, it is best to plant 1,500 to 2,000 hills of hyacinth beans per mu, that is, the row spacing between each plant is about 50 to 70 cm, and the plant spacing is about 50 to 60 cm. Each planting hole needs at least two to three seedlings, that is, by the time of final planting, the number of seedlings in the field is about 3,000 to 4,000 plants.
3. Building trellises
In order to increase the yield of hyacinth beans, make rational use of land resources, and maintain good air permeability in the field, we need to build trellises when the hyacinth bean seedlings grow to a certain height. At about 40 cm for the seedlings, insert supports beside each hole; these can be wooden poles, bamboo poles, and so on. Then use rope to connect the supports, and guide the seedlings onto the trellises to climb and grow.
4. Scientific water and fertilizer management
The hyacinth bean is a fertilizer-loving plant, so its growth has a relatively large demand for fertilizer. Apart from the base fertilizer before planting, we also need to apply topdressing reasonably according to the different growth stages of the hyacinth bean. After the seedlings are transplanted, we should apply organic compound fertilizer, phosphate fertilizer, and miscellaneous fertilizer as topdressing, with an application amount of about 800 kg. Next, during the growth and development stage of the hyacinth bean seedlings, appropriately apply bean cake fertilizer, phosphate fertilizer, and miscellaneous fertilizer three times as topdressing, with each application controlled at about 150 kg. Finally, after each harvest of hyacinth beans, in order to restore the growth vigor of the hyacinth bean seedlings, it is also necessary to appropriately spray foliar fertilizer.
5. Pruning branches and pinching off growing tips
Organizing the branches and leaves of hyacinth bean seedlings and pinching off the growing tips are both very important. When the hyacinth bean seedlings grow to about 50 cm, we need to remove the heart leaves on the main stem of the seedlings to promote the growth of more branches, and only in this way can we increase the yield of hyacinth beans. Next, after the hyacinth bean plants have taken shape, in order to maintain good air permeability in the field, we will remove branches or leaves that are growing too densely; doing this can also play a role in reducing nutrient consumption.
Growing hyacinth beans is actually similar to growing vegetables such as green beans, snow peas, and cowpeas, and hyacinth beans are easier to keep alive than these vegetables, so if everyone grows them according to the correct cultivation techniques, I believe there will be high yield and high quality.