Wag spinach, also known as water spinach, Tongcai, bamboo leaf vegetable, etc., is an annual or perennial trailing herbaceous plant in the Convolvulaceae family. Originating from the tropical rainy areas of my country, it is suitable for growing in humid areas. It is mainly distributed in the Lingnan area and is a green leafy vegetable commonly cultivated in summer and autumn. Its edible parts are young stems and leaves, which can be fried or eaten cold, and used in soups as "spinach". It is rich in nutrients. 100 grams of water spinach contains 147 mg of calcium, ranking first among leafy vegetables. Vitamin A is 4 times higher than tomatoes, and vitamin C is 17.5% higher than tomatoes. Water spinach has a long harvest period and is a leafy vegetable grown in summer. It can break the structure of less leafy vegetables and more fruit pods in northern summer, and is not restricted by high temperatures and heavy rains. So the north began to introduce and cultivate it, and achieved success.
Open-field cultivation of water spinach can be carried out from spring to summer. The sowing time is: December to February of the following year in Guangzhou, April to October in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, April to July in the north, and April in Shenyang Sow seeds in mid-month. If cultivated in greenhouses, greenhouses, and small sheds according to market needs, annual production can be achieved and the market can be supplied at any time.
Cultivation techniques:
It likes a high temperature and humid climate and does not have strict requirements on soil conditions. It is best to choose clay loam soil with low terrain, moist and fertile soil for cultivation. The suitable growth temperature is 25-30℃, and it can withstand high temperatures of 35-40℃. Growth will stagnate below 10℃ and the plant will die after frost. Likes light and long days. Not very demanding on the soil. Strong branching ability.
Its cultivation methods are divided into two types: dry planting and water planting. Dry planting is mainly used in the north, while dry planting and water planting coexist in the south. Dry planting is mainly used for early-maturing cultivation, while water planting is mostly used for medium- and late-maturing cultivation. . Technical points: 1. Sowing and raising seedlings. Dry planting mostly uses seeds for propagation. Live broadcast in the open field and seedling transplanting can be done. The sowing period is generally in mid-to-late April. Drill sowing or on-demand sowing can be used for live broadcast in the open field. The row spacing is 30 to 35 cm, the hole spacing is 15 to 20 cm, and 3 to 4 seeds are sown on demand in each hole. Water immediately after sowing, and it will be ready in about 7 days.
It can also be sown densely and harvested when the seedlings are 17 to 20 centimeters tall. After sowing, cover with plastic film to increase warmth and moisture, and then remove the film after the seedlings emerge. In addition, you can also take cuttings of about 15 cm from the top during the growth period for propagation. As long as the soil moisture in the cutting field is suitable, the cuttings will quickly grow adventitious roots and produce new shoots. In the early stage, the soil should be plowed and loosened in time to increase the ground temperature.
In the summer, the temperature is high, the plants grow quickly, and they require a lot of fertilizer and water, so they need to be watered frequently and heavily (dry air and insufficient soil moisture can easily lead to an increase in water spinach fiber, affecting the yield and quality) , and top dressing combined with watering. When the temperature turns cooler in autumn, timely cultivating, weeding and top dressing should be carried out, and attention should be paid to preventing and controlling pests such as red spider mites. Water spinach has a long harvesting period. Generally, after each harvest, 10 kilograms of ammonium sulfate per mu must be applied in combination with watering.
Harvesting:
Timely harvesting is the key to high yield and high quality of water spinach. In terms of production, the seedlings can generally be harvested when they are about 20 to 30 centimeters tall. During the first and second harvesting, enough 2 to 3 nodes should be left at the base of the stem to facilitate the germination of new shoots after harvesting, promote side branches, and strive for high yields. After harvesting 3 to 4 times, the plant should be harvested again, that is, only 1 to 2 nodes should be left at the base of the stem to prevent too many side branches, resulting in weak and slow growth.
Land preparation and sowing:
In the north, live broadcasting is generally used. Before sowing, plow the soil deeply, apply 2,500 to 3,000 kilograms of decomposed organic fertilizer or 1,500 to 2,000 kilograms of human excrement and 50 to 100 kilograms of plant ash per acre, mix it with the soil and then rake it evenly and finely. Before sowing, first treat the seeds, that is, soak them in warm water of 50 to 60°C for 30 minutes, and then soak them in clean water for 20 to 24 hours. Pick them up, wash them, and place them at a temperature of about 25°C for germination. Keep them moist during the germination period, every day. Rinse the seeds once with clean water and sow them after the seeds are broken and the white spots are exposed. The seed quantity per mu is 6 to 10 kilograms. Drill sowing is generally used for dense planting, with a row spacing of 33 cm, and soil is covered after sowing. Broadcast or hole sowing can also be used.
Field management:
Water spinach has a high demand for fertilizer and water. In addition to applying sufficient base fertilizer, top dressing is also required. When the seedlings grow to 5 to 7 centimeters, water and fertilize them to promote seedling growth. In the future, water them frequently to keep the soil moist. Fertilizer should be applied 1 to 2 times after each picking. When forcing fertilizer, it should be light first and then thicker, mainly nitrogen fertilizer, such as urea, etc. During the growth period, timely cultivating and weeding is required. After sealing the ridges, there is no need to weed and cultivate. Harvesting:
If water spinach is harvested at one time, it can be harvested and put on the market when the plant height is 20 to 35 centimeters. If it is harvested multiple times, the seedlings can be planted when the plant height is 12 to 15 centimeters, and the thinned out seedlings can be put on the market; when the plant height is 18 to 21 centimeters, the seedlings can be thinned out and put on the market, and the remaining seedlings can be harvested multiple times and put on the market. .
When the seedlings grow to 33 cm high, pick them for the first time. Leave 2 stem nodes on the stems for the first time. Pick the 2nd node left on the stems for the second time. After three pickings, remove the first stem left at the base of the stem to achieve re-germination at the base of the stem. This way, stems and vines that can be harvested later can stay strong.
When picking, it is more suitable to pick by hand. If you use a knife or other iron tools, the edge of the knife will easily become rusty. Generally, the yield per mu can reach 1,500 kilograms in one harvest and 5,000 kilograms in multiple harvests.
Environmental requirements: