When and how to plant sword beans

Sword bean, also known as large sword bean, sword bean or sword bean, is a food with high nutritional value, rich in protein, multiple essential amino acids and multiple vitamins. The pods are tender, with a refreshing and slightly sweet taste and delicious flavor. Whether they are stir-fried alone, cooked with meat, or made into hot and sour dishes, they can bring excellent taste enjoyment. Let’s learn about the planting time and method of sword beans.

1. Growth environment requirements

Sword bean is a crop that prefers warm climate and is suitable for growing in warm and humid environment. The ideal temperature range for its growth is 18℃ to 32℃, the optimum temperature for germination is 25℃ to 30℃, and the mature plant can tolerate high temperatures up to 37℃. With the arrival of autumn, the plants will gradually shed their leaves and dry up. When the temperature drops below 6°C, the plants may die from frost damage. The soil moisture requirement of sword bean is between 70% and 80%, the demand for light is not high, and the fertilizer is mainly nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizer.

2. Planting time

Sword beans are highly heat-resistant and have a long harvest period, so most farmers choose to plant them in March. Depending on the season and local climatic conditions, sowing can also be done in summer or before autumn. Before sowing, the sowing time should be determined according to the local ambient temperature.

3. Land preparation

Due to the limited market demand for sword beans and the small planting area, many farmers grow them on the edge of fields or in their backyards. Sword beans like fertile soil. You should choose fertile and loose land for deep plowing and drying. It is best to dry the soil until it turns white. Before sowing, apply about 2 tons of decomposed farmyard manure per mu of land, mix it thoroughly with the soil, and make ridges. If it is potted planting, you can put soil into the pot.

4. Seed treatment

Sword bean seeds are relatively large, and the sowing amount is about 4 pounds per mu. Because the seed coat is hard, seed treatment is necessary to increase the germination rate and accelerate emergence. Choose plump seeds, soak them in 30℃ water for 12 hours, then soak them in 0.1% potassium permanganate solution for 20 minutes, and then rinse them with clean water. Put the seeds in a cloth bag and germinate them in an environment of about 25℃. The seeds will germinate after about 3 to 5 days and should be sown immediately.

5. Sowing method

Sword bean is a vine that grows vigorously. It is recommended to plant about 1,500 plants per acre. The seeds are sown in holes, with each hole 50 cm apart and the sowing depth 5 cm. Sow the germinated seeds in holes, two seeds per hole, cover with fine soil and water until the soil is moist. After sowing, if the temperature is below 15℃, it is necessary to cover the ground with mulch to keep warm, and remove the mulch after the temperature rises or the seedlings emerge. If the temperature is above 15°C, there is no need to cover the ground. Seedlings will emerge after about a week. No fertilizer is needed during the seedling stage. Water every 2 to 3 days to keep the soil moist. When the bean seedlings grow to 5 cm in height, thin them out and keep one healthy bean seedling in each hole.

6. Fertilization management

Sword beans need to be topdressed with fertilizer to strengthen the seedlings in the early stage of growth. Use 20 kg of urea per mu, which can be applied deeply or diluted with water. To reduce costs, animal manure can also be used. The second topdressing should be carried out before flowering, using 15 kg of urea and compound fertilizer per mu, mixed and applied deeply. The third topdressing is carried out when pods are formed. Use 25 kg of compound fertilizer, 5 kg of urea and potassium dihydrogen phosphate per mu, and apply the mixture deeply.

7. Loosening the soil and setting up the scaffolding

When the sword bean grows to 40 cm in height, a support needs to be built for the vines to climb. A tripod or flat stand can be constructed using bamboo, with a height of about 1.5 to 2 meters. During the growth process, loosen the soil and weed in time. Prune the plants when they are growing vigorously, retaining 2 to 3 vines on each bean seedling. Pinch off the vines when they are 1 meter long, allowing them to climb in a dispersed manner to facilitate ventilation and light transmission, and remove old, yellow and diseased leaves in time.

8. Pest and disease control

Although sword beans have strong disease resistance, preventive measures are still needed. Common diseases include rust, root rot and powdery mildew, while insect pests include aphids, bean borers and leafminers. Pesticides for preventing diseases include dichlorvos, thiophanate-methyl, carbendazim, etc., while pesticides for preventing insect pests include imidacloprid, dichlorvos, and trichlorfon, etc. Spray the pesticide once every 10 days, for 2 to 3 consecutive times. When using pesticides, follow the proportions in the instructions.

The above is an introduction to the planting time and methods of sword beans. Many friends have never eaten sword beans. In fact, the nutritional value and taste of sword beans are very good.