How to grow lotus root
In recent years, with the rise of healthy diet, lotus root has attracted much attention as a nutritious ingredient. Many families and farms began to try to grow lotus roots to meet market demand or to be self-sufficient. This article will introduce in detail how to grow lotus roots and help you successfully grow lotus roots from scratch.
1. Basic conditions for lotus root cultivation
Lotus root is an aquatic plant suitable for growing in a warm and humid environment. The following are the basic requirements for lotus root cultivation:
| Conditions | request |
|---|---|
| climate | Warm and humid, suitable growth temperature is 20-30℃ |
| soil | Fertile clay loam or silt soil |
| water depth | 10-20cm in the early stage, 30-50cm in the vigorous growth period |
| pH value | 6.0-7.5 |
| light | At least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day |
2. Preparation work before planting
1.Selection: Choose healthy and plump lotus root seeds, each section should have 2-3 sections, and the weight should be 250-500 grams.
2.land preparation:
| steps | Operational points |
|---|---|
| clean up | Remove weeds, stones and other debris |
| plow | Depth 30-40cm |
| fertilize | Apply 2000-3000kg of decomposed organic fertilizer per mu |
| irrigation | Keep the water depth about 10cm |
3.Time selection: Generally planted in spring when the temperature is stable above 15°C, March to April in the south and April to May in the north.
3. Planting methods
1.Planting density:
| Planting method | Line spacing (cm) | Plant spacing (cm) |
|---|---|---|
| Early maturing varieties | 150-180 | 100-120 |
| Mid-late maturing varieties | 200-250 | 150-200 |
2.Planting steps:
① Insert the lotus seeds into the mud at an angle of 20-30 degrees to the ground
② Put the lotus root head downwards and the lotus root tail exposed 2-3cm from the mud surface
③ Gently compact the surrounding soil
④ Keep the water level at about 10cm
4. Field management
1.water level management:
| growth stage | Water depth requirements |
|---|---|
| budding stage | 5-10cm |
| growth period | 15-30cm |
| Lotus root stage | 30-50cm |
| mature stage | gradually lower water level |
2.Fertilizer management:
| period | Fertilizer type | Dosage (kg/acre) |
|---|---|---|
| Base fertilizer | organic fertilizer | 2000-3000 |
| Standing leaf stage | Urea | 10-15 |
| Lotus root stage | Compound fertilizer | 20-25 |
3.Pest and disease control:
Common diseases include rot, leaf spot, etc., which can be controlled with carbendazim and other chemicals. Pests mainly include aphids, lotus root leaf miners, etc., which can be controlled with high-efficiency and low-toxic pesticides.
5. Harvesting and storage
1.Harvest time: Generally, it can be harvested 4-6 months after planting, and the specific time depends on the variety.
2.Harvesting method:
① Drain the pool water
② Dig gently along the lotus root branches
③ Avoid damaging the lotus root body
3.Storage method:
| Storage method | temperature | save time |
|---|---|---|
| Soak in water | normal temperature | 3-5 days |
| Refrigerated | 5-8℃ | 15-20 days |
| Shazang | shade | 1-2 months |
6. Frequently Asked Questions
1.Why don’t lotus roots grow big?
Possible reasons: excessive planting density, insufficient fertility, improper water level management, pests and diseases, etc.
2.What's the matter with the black heart in Lotus Root?
Usually caused by rotting diseases, disease prevention should be strengthened and diseased plants should be dealt with promptly.
3.What are some tips for small-scale home cultivation?
You can use large containers for planting, such as plastic buckets, discarded bathtubs, etc. Pay attention to keeping the water clean and fertilizing regularly.
Through the above detailed introduction of planting methods, I believe you have mastered the key techniques of lotus root planting. As long as you follow the correct method, you can harvest high-quality lotus roots. I wish you success in planting!
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