When to Plant Chinese Yam (Dioscorea alata)? Detailed Guide to Planting Time and Methods
Chinese yam (Dioscorea alata) is a medicinal plant, also called winged yam, that generally grows in southern, southwestern and northwestern China, such as in Zhejiang, Sichuan and Tibet, where it is found growing. This Chinese yam mainly strengthens the spleen and stomach, treats diarrhea, and tonifies the lungs and kidneys. It is often used as a medicinal material. Chinese yam can be cultivated artificially, and the specific cultivation time and methods are what today's article will cover.
1. Choosing Varieties
Among the common Chinese yams today, the commonly planted varieties all have superior vigor. Two common ones are Japanese yam and fine-haired long yam. The Japanese variety is an excellent variety with good adaptability and quality. If widely promoted in our country, its quality is believed to surpass ordinary varieties. However, you can choose quality seeds suited to the local soil.
2. Planting Time
The planting time is roughly in spring, specifically depending on the outdoor temperature in spring. Generally, once the temperature is above 10, planting can begin. It should not be too hot, nor exposed to severe cold. Because of environmental and climatic influences, timing varies from place to place, some earlier and some later; roughly, it is when the above-ground plants begin to grow. Then you can plant.
3. Planting Treatment
There are no seeds, so planting can only rely on tubers for propagation. Generally, seed tubers are kept at harvest and then planted afterward. Usually the whole tuber can be kept as seed, or cut into small sections each with plump buds, which can be planted directly in the field. Planting is done by digging furrows and planting directly, with a spacing of about 10 cm and a row spacing of 20 cm. The planting depth is about 3 to 4 cm; it should not be too deep, which is unfavorable for sprouting, nor too shallow, as the tubers easily lose water.
4. Management
Dig drainage ditches in the field, with two ditches running horizontally and vertically in the middle, and ditches around the perimeter as well, with a ditch depth of more than 20 cm for good drainage. Plant in ridged rows: make 30 cm wide ridges in the field, then open furrows on the ridges and plant, leaving shallow ditches between the rows, about 10 cm deep is enough. For base fertilizer at planting, apply 1500 jin of farmyard manure per mu. Topdressing can be done several times; remember to water when fertilizing.
Chinese yam is planted in spring after the temperature warms up, or in autumn when the temperature holds steady. There are some details to note when planting. Management must also be careful and free of mistakes. Chinese yam can be said to be a relatively easy plant to grow. The planting method is also fairly simple, but management must be done well.