When can water spinach be sown?

Water spinach , also known as iris, is a plant with high nutritional value and medicinal value. It is widely grown in central and southern provinces of China. Water spinach usually prefers a warm and humid environment, is not frost-resistant, and is suitable for planting in dry and watery land. Water spinach grows rapidly, has strong resistance to diseases and pests, and can be harvested multiple times during the growing season, so it is nicknamed "lazy man's vegetable". The stems and leaves of water spinach are the main edible parts. Let’s learn below: In which month can water spinach be sown?

1. Suitable sowing period

Water spinach can be propagated by seeds or stem cuttings, with seeds being the main method. The seeds can germinate above 15℃, the most suitable growth temperature is 25-35℃, it has strong heat resistance, and grows slowly below 18℃.

During the Grain Rain season, the average daily temperature in most parts of my country remains stable at above 15°C, so mid-April to the end of August is the suitable sowing period for water spinach. Sowing too early may cause seeds to rot in low temperatures, affecting germination rate and seedling growth. If you need to sow in advance, you can use a small plastic arch shed for cultivation and sow 20 days in advance.

2. Sowing method

Choose soil that is rich in organic matter and easy to irrigate, and apply 5 to 8 kilograms of decomposed farmyard manure and 50 grams of triple compound fertilizer per square meter. Water spinach can be sown directly or transplanted from seedlings. Direct seeding is the main method for home consumption, with a seed rate of about 15 to 20 grams per square meter. When transplanting from seedlings, transplant when the seedlings are 15 cm tall, and the row and plant spacing is 15 cm and 25 cm respectively.

Live broadcast is mainly in the form of strip broadcasting or hole broadcasting. When sowing in rows, the row spacing is 30 cm, and a 5 cm deep furrow is dug. After sowing, cover with 1 cm of soil and water thoroughly. When sowing in holes, dig small holes at a spacing of 15 cm, sow 2 to 3 seeds in each hole, cover with soil and water thoroughly after sowing.

The seed coat of water spinach seeds is thick and hard, and direct sowing will slow germination. Soak in cold water for 12 hours before sowing, then wrap with wet gauze and place in a warm place to germinate. Water every day and sow when 70% of the seeds turn white.

When the temperature is low, you can cover the seeds with plastic film or sprinkle wood ash after sowing to increase the soil temperature, which will help seedlings to emerge. Seedlings usually emerge in 5 to 7 days, and the film should be removed in time after they emerge from the soil.

3. Water and fertilizer management after germination

Water spinach likes nitrogen fertilizer. Seven days after the seedlings emerge from the soil, they can be watered with decomposed dilute manure water. As the seedlings grow, the concentration of manure water can be increased. 15 days after the seedlings emerge from the soil, 20 kg of urea can be applied per mu, and water should be applied after topdressing. Water spinach is tolerant to fertilizer and can be watered with manure after each harvest. Urea can be applied after every two harvests to accelerate growth.

Water spinach likes moist soil, is not drought-tolerant, and grows rapidly under high temperature, sufficient fertilizer and water. Water the seeds every 2 to 3 days during the seedling stage. After the seedlings grow to 5 cm, water them frequently and sufficiently, once in the morning and once in the evening. They can be harvested 40 days after sowing.

Water spinach needs to be watered frequently. When the soil is dry, the fibers in the stems and leaves are prone to aging, affecting the taste. If it is convenient, the stems can be inserted into shallow water for asexual cutting propagation, eliminating the need for watering.

In short, water spinach can be harvested multiple times at one time. It can be harvested when the seedlings are 30 cm tall. When picking, break off the tender stems and the side branches continue to grow. Under sufficient water and fertilizer conditions, it can be picked continuously until before frost, and the yield is extremely high. When harvesting, leave 2 to 3 nodes at the base of the stem to facilitate the sprouting of new branches and increase yield.