Key points and steps of Xianglian planting technology

Xianglian is not only a famous specialty of Hunan Province, but also known as the "three major lotus seeds in China" together with Jianlian and Xuanlian. It is characterized by its delicate texture, fresh fragrance and sweetness, and rich nutrition. It is a must-have ingredient in banquets. So what are the key points and steps of Xianglian cultivation technology ? Let’s learn more about it below.

1. Variety selection

It is advisable to choose varieties that are high-yielding, disease-resistant, especially resistant to rot diseases, stress-resistant, high-quality, and have good processing performance. Such as Xianglian No. 1, Xiangtan Cunsanlian, Xiangtan Furonglian, Taikonglian No. 58 and other varieties.

2. Lotus field selection

Lotus fields should be selected with good drainage and irrigation conditions, sufficient water sources, fertile and loose soil, sandy soil with moderate mud feet or purple sandy mud fertile paddy fields , and they should retain fertilizer and water, have sufficient sunlight, a flat field bottom, and a tillage layer of more than 20 cm.

3. Land preparation and fertilization

Before sowing, the lotus field should be finely leveled so that the mud becomes as mushy as pulp. Then combine land preparation with deep application of basal fertilizer and apply sufficient basal fertilizer. The base fertilizer is mainly organic fertilizer , with 1,000 kg of human and animal manure, 2,000 kg of soil and miscellaneous fertilizer, and 80-100 kg of cake fertilizer applied per mu.

4. Disinfection

(1) Disinfection of seed lotus roots: Soak the seed lotus roots in 3000-5000 times diluted 99% carbendazim original drug for 12-15 hours.

(2) Soil disinfection: Spread 75-100 kg of quicklime and 5 kg of sulfur per mu, and then plow the soil.

5. Plant lotus roots at the right time

Generally, around the Qingming Festival, when the temperature stabilizes at 12-16℃, transplanting can be done. In Hunan, transplanting is generally done in early to mid-April. Generally, the row spacing is 3 meters, the plant spacing is 2 meters, and 2 roots are planted in each hole. The oblique planting method is adopted, and an oblique trench is dug at a certain distance, with a depth of 13-17 cm. The lotus root heads are buried in the mud at an angle of 20°-30° to the ground to prevent the lotus whips from exposing the soil surface when they grow. Later, the lotus roots are slightly lifted out of the water to facilitate sunlight exposure and increase the temperature of the lotus roots.

6. Field management

First, pay attention to irrigation. The water management of the lotus field should be meticulous. In the early stage, the lotus seedlings are small and the water temperature is low, so shallow water irrigation is suitable, with a water depth of 3-7 cm. Later, the water layer should be gradually deepened as the plants grow. Second, pay attention to the configuration of fertilizers: harrowing usually accounts for 70%, and leaving 30% for topdressing; third, in combination with topdressing, use small machinery or manual methods to remove weeds and ineffective floating leaves, and use herbicides with caution; fourth, pay attention to removing waste lotus leaves; fifth, do a good job in the prevention and control of diseases and pests such as rot disease and fall armyworm; sixth, timely equip late rice with short growing period hybrid combinations.

In general, Hunan lotus has a very broad planting prospect as a nourishing health food that can be used as both medicine and food, and it is now widely planted in various parts of Hunan. However, only by mastering the relevant planting techniques and steps can we obtain better planting benefits.