When is the best time to grow sweet potato seedlings?

Sweet potato usually refers to yam, also known as sweet potato, cold potato , etc. Its main food source is underground tubers, the flesh of which is white, crisp, tender and juicy. It is very popular in the market and has good planting prospects. So when is the best time to grow sweet potato seedlings? Let’s learn more about it below.

1. Site selection and land preparation

Sweet potatoes are suitable for planting in loose soil with good air permeability and drainage. After selecting the land, plow it, harrow it, and apply enough base fertilizer. Apply 1000-1500 kilograms of decomposed garbage or farmyard manure per mu, and apply more phosphorus and potassium fertilizers to meet the needs of tuber growth and flowering and seeding.

2. Seed treatment

Before sowing, soak the seeds in 30℃ warm water for about 3-4 hours, and then place the seeds in a 25-30℃ environment for germination. However, if it is a medium or late maturing yam, there is no need to germinate it, you can directly sow it after soaking the seeds.

3. Planting time

Sweet potatoes are generally planted around April and May each year, and the specific planting time depends on the sweet potato variety. For example, for early-maturing varieties, the planting time should be appropriately advanced, generally around the end of March or early April; mid-maturing varieties are generally planted around early April; and late-maturing varieties should be planted later, from late April to early May.

4. Sowing and seedling raising

It is best to sow by direct seeding, that is, digging holes for direct seeding, sowing 1 to 2 seeds in each hole, with a row spacing of 50 cm and a plant spacing of 30 cm. 2,500 to 3,000 plants can be planted per mu, using about 1.5 kg of seeds. After sowing, cover the seeds with soil and fertilizer to a thickness of about 1 inch. If the weather is dry when sowing, water should be applied to promote germination. If the soil is moist when sowing, there is no need to water.

5. Seedling management

After sowing, thin out and supplement the seedlings in time, leaving 1-2 seedlings in each hole, and finally settling on 1 seedling. Seedling replacement should be done in a timely manner and on a cloudy day. At the same time, the soil should be loosened, weeded and fertilized in time during the seedling stage. After each loosening of the soil and exposing it to the sun, human manure and urine should be applied to promote early growth. In mid-to-late June, topdressing should be applied again to promote the enlargement of the tubers. In case of drought, pay attention to watering.

6. Pruning and trellising

When the yam bean seedlings grow to 30 cm in height, insert a small bamboo or cotton stalk in each hole, build an "human" frame, and tie adjacent yam bean seedlings together to let the vines climb up the frame.

7. Harvest at the right time

Yam beans can be harvested 5-6 months after sowing when the fleshy roots have swelled considerably. Harvesting must be done at the right time. Harvesting too early will result in low yields, while harvesting too late will cause the tubers to age, become more fibrous, and have poor quality.

To sum up, it is generally more suitable to sow and raise seedlings of sweet potatoes in April and May. Pay attention to the land preparation and fertilization before seedling raising, seed treatment, and seedling management after seedling raising, so as to ensure a high yield.