How to plant iceberg

Ice plant, also known as crystal ice plant, ice grass or icicles, has leaves and stems covered with bubble-like structures like water droplets. Under the sunlight, they are as dazzling as ice crystals, hence the name. The most popular way to eat crystal ice plant is to eat it directly with sauce. Its appearance looks like it is inlaid with crystals, which is not only pleasing to the eye but also has a unique flavor. Let’s learn how to grow ice plant.

1. Timing of sowing

Ice plant is best sown in spring and autumn. For the Yangtze River Basin and areas to its north, spring sowing is recommended between March and May; while areas south of the Yangtze River are suitable for autumn sowing between August and October.

2. Soil Preparation and Fertilization

Fully decomposed farmyard manure should be used as base fertilizer, and soil fertility should be improved by turning the soil and applying fertilizer.

3. Seed treatment

Soaking the ice plant seeds in warm boiled water for 48 hours will help the seeds germinate smoothly, especially during the hot summer months.

4. Sowing Techniques

There are two ways to sow ice plants: direct sowing or seedling transplanting. Direct sowing is to spread the seeds evenly on the prepared soil, sowing at a rate of 10-15 grams per square meter, covering with a thin layer of soil and then watering thoroughly. Seedlings are raised indoors using seedling trays and seedling substrates. Soak the seeds in warm water at about 30 degrees for 2-4 hours before sowing. Sow 2-3 seeds in each hole and cover with 2-3 mm of fine soil. Maintain a suitable temperature of around 20 degrees to avoid being too high or too low. About 20-40 days later, when the seedlings have 4-5 leaves, they can be transplanted.

5. Transplanting points

When transplanting, be careful not to damage the roots of the seedlings, and avoid transplanting in rainy or hot weather to avoid affecting the survival rate. Dig holes in the planting site and transplant the seeds. Control the spacing between rows and plants at 20×30 cm. Cover the seeds with soil and water them once to help the seedlings grow. Be careful not to use too much water and keep the ambient temperature at around 25 degrees.

6. Field Management

Ice plant likes light, so sufficient light should be ensured to promote growth, and the temperature should be controlled at 20-30 degrees. In summer, you need to pay attention to shade and enhance ventilation to prevent burns from strong sunlight. Ice plant is relatively drought-resistant and should be watered only after the soil surface is dry. Fertilize regularly during the growing period, but be careful not to overdo it to avoid fruit cracking or root damage. Ice plant has strong disease resistance, and the main pests to be prevented are aphids, beetles, etc., which can be controlled by using insect-proof nets and insect-attracting boards.

7. Harvest Timing

The growing period of ice plant is about 30 to 40 days. If direct seeding is adopted, the seeds can be picked one by one. The young leaves should be picked in time when they are not fully unfolded, and the stems should be cut off as much as possible to promote the secondary growth of ice plant.

The above is the planting method of ice vegetable. Growers can carry out planting scientifically according to these steps and combine them with actual planting conditions.