When is the best time to harvest water bamboo? Master these harvesting key points
Water bamboo, also known as wild rice stem or gao sun, is a common vegetable, and China has a long history of cultivating it. Water bamboo is rich in nutrients and delicious in taste, and has the reputation of being the "ginseng of the water." Water bamboo is quite popular on the market, and as market demand expands, more and more growers are cultivating it. Harvesting is extremely important when growing water bamboo, so let's take a look at the key points for harvesting water bamboo.
1. Harvesting standards
When harvesting water bamboo, you must first pay attention to its standards, as harvesting too early or too late will affect both yield and quality. Generally, when the swollen gall section is noticeably enlarged, the central leaves come together, the two outer leaves close toward the stem, and the false stem reveals 1-2 cm of pure white fleshy shoot, this is called "bai lu" (showing white), which means the water bamboo has matured and can be harvested. If the white shows on only one side, you should check both sides of each plant when harvesting. If you delay harvesting past the right time, the water bamboo will turn green and become tough, losing its commercial value.
2. Harvesting time
Water bamboo harvesting can be divided into summer and autumn. Autumn harvesting generally begins from late September to early October, while summer harvesting generally begins from late May to early June. In addition, the harvesting time for high-mountain water bamboo and cold-water water bamboo differs somewhat from ordinary summer and autumn water bamboo. Generally, high-mountain water bamboo is harvested from mid-July to early August, and the harvesting time for cold-water water bamboo is somewhat similar to that of high-mountain water bamboo.
3. Harvesting methods
When harvesting water bamboo, wear long-sleeved clothing when going into the field, as this can prevent leaves from cutting your skin. When harvesting autumn-crop water bamboo, twist it off at the middle of the stem tube, and do not damage the root system, so as not to affect the next year's growth. When harvesting summer-crop water bamboo, you can directly twist off the water bamboo plant. After autumn-crop water bamboo begins to be harvested, harvest once every 5-7 days, shortening to once every 3 days during the vigorous growth period. After summer-crop harvesting begins, it is recommended to harvest once every 4-5 days, and during the vigorous period, shorten it to once a day or once every other day.
The above is an introduction to the key points for harvesting water bamboo, and we hope it helps you. If you want to learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.