When and how to plant water chestnuts

Water chestnut , also known as water caltrop, is widely distributed in China. When planting, it is best not to plant it in continuous cropping. It is generally rotated for 2-3 years with mat grass, water chestnut, wild rice, etc. Friends who want to plant water chestnuts can master the planting time and methods. The following editor will introduce the planting time and methods of water chestnuts. Let’s take a look.

1. Planting time

The time for planting water chestnuts is generally chosen in spring or autumn. Spring planting is usually around mid-April, and fall planting is around September. In the southern region, planting usually begins around Qingming Festival.

2. Seed treatment

Choose healthy, disease-free water chestnut seeds, soak the seeds in clean water for about 24 hours, then take them out and dry them for later use. This step can promote the germination rate and growth rate of the seeds.

3. Soil preparation

Horseradish prefers deep, fertile, well-drained soil. Before planting, the soil needs to be deeply plowed and raked, and an appropriate amount of organic fertilizer or compound fertilizer should be applied as base fertilizer to improve the soil's fertility and water and fertilizer retention capacity.

4. Seeding and transplanting

There are two ways to sow water chestnuts: direct seeding and transplanting. When direct seeding, spread the processed seeds evenly in the row furrows, then cover with a thin layer of soil and water thoroughly. When transplanting, the seedlings need to be transplanted into pre-prepared pits, and maintain appropriate plant and row spacing.

5. Field management

During the growth period of water chestnuts, regular field management work such as watering, fertilizing, weeding and loosening the soil is required. In dry weather, water should be applied in time to keep the soil moist. During the growing period, fertilizer should be applied in time to meet the nutrients needed for the growth of water chestnuts. At the same time, attention should be paid to weeding and loosening the soil to keep the field ventilated and light-permeable.

6. Pest and disease control

Horse hooves are susceptible to diseases and pests, such as powdery mildew and aphids. Therefore, during the growth period, it is necessary to strengthen the monitoring and prevention of pests and diseases, and take corresponding prevention and control measures in a timely manner.

7. Save seeds

The seeds of water chestnut that have overwintered in the field should not be dug up too early. They are generally dug up during the germination and seedling raising period. Before sowing, select the bulbs with good quality, large bulbs, tall seed shape, healthy top and side buds, no diseases and insect pests, and no rot one by one as seeds.

The above is the planting time and method of water chestnuts. Generally around December, the sugar accumulation in the water chestnut bulbs begins to increase. From this time to around January of the following year, the water chestnuts harvested have a higher sugar content and the color of the water chestnut skin is more beautiful.