When is the best time to plant lotus root?

Lotus root , also known as lotus root, jade festival, jade linglong, jade shoot, jade arm dragon, jade lotus, light side, rain grass or Linglong wrist, originated in India but was introduced to China very early. As an ingredient, lotus root can be cooked in a variety of ways. It can be made into a refreshing cold dish, crispy fried lotus root slices, or stewed with pork ribs to create a rich gourmet flavor. So when is the best time to plant lotus root?

When is the best time to plant lotus root?

There is a difference in the planting time of lotus roots between the south and the north. Lotus root planting usually starts in February in the south, while in April or May in the north. The ideal time to plant lotus roots is in March or April every spring when the temperature is stably above 15°C. When planting, the lotus root seeds should be buried properly in the soil, with the head of the lotus root slightly deeper and the tail slightly exposed above the water surface, forming an inclined angle of 20 to 30 degrees. To ensure that the lotus roots and leaves can grow evenly, the lotus seeds should be arranged in a staggered manner, that is, one row faces east, the next row faces west, and the spacing between the second row and the first row is opposite. The recommended row spacing is 2.0 meters, plant spacing is 1.5 meters, and the planting depth is between 10 and 15 centimeters. Due to the different climatic conditions in the north and south of my country, the south enters the temperature range suitable for lotus root growth earlier, so the planting time is earlier; while in the north, due to the lower temperature, the planting time is relatively late.

Lotus root planting tips

1. Choose lotus root species

When choosing lotus root seeds, you should carefully check whether there are new shoots sprouting from the lower end of the lotus root and whether there are new roots growing beside the shoots. Such lotus root seedlings are suitable for direct planting. Give priority to complete lotus roots with at least three nodes and no damage, preferably those that are large in size, disease-free and growing vigorously. The size of lotus root seeds has a direct impact on the development of new lotus roots, so choosing larger lotus root seeds will help cultivate high-quality new lotus roots.

2. Planting

After selecting the lotus root seeds, they should be sown as soon as possible. Before sowing, lotus root seeds should be treated with chemicals to prevent diseases that may occur during the growth process. When sowing, the lotus root seeds should be buried deeply, which will help to grow large and high-quality lotus roots. Adjust the sowing density according to the size of the pond, usually planting one plant every 30 to 50 cm. Because lotus roots grow quickly and take up a large space, they will soon cover the entire pond.

3. Field management

About a month after planting, lotus leaves and lotus flowers will begin to grow. At this time, some leaves and flower buds should be removed in time to prevent them from consuming too much nutrients and affecting the growth of lotus root. During the growth process of lotus root, the first fertilization should be carried out when five or six lotus leaves have grown to confirm whether the lotus root is alive. Then, apply fertilizer again when the lotus leaves have basically covered the entire pond, because lotus roots have begun to form and require sufficient nutrients. The last fertilization should be done when there is no longer any new leaf growth in the pond, which indicates that the lotus root is maturing. At the same time, the water level in the pond should be maintained at 10 to 15 cm, neither too deep nor too shallow.

4. Harvest

When the back of the lotus root's terminal leaf turns slightly red, it indicates that the lotus root is mature and can be harvested. Since lotus roots grow deep and their growth direction is difficult to grasp, they should be dug carefully along the direction of the terminal leaves to ensure that the harvested lotus roots are intact.

The above is an introduction to the time and key points of lotus root planting. Due to different climatic conditions in the north and south, the planting time of lotus root is also different. You can consider it according to the actual local conditions.