Asparagus is internationally recognized as the " king of vegetables ," possessing high nutritional and medicinal value, and its cultivation prospects are very promising. So how do you grow asparagus seeds successfully? Let's find out below.
1. Sowing time
Generally, open-field seedling cultivation can be carried out from early April to early August, while seedling cultivation in small arched greenhouses can be carried out earlier, in early March. In addition, the seedbed should preferably be fertile, well-aerated, and well-drained sandy soil to facilitate seed germination and growth.
2. Seed treatment
Before sowing, soak the seeds in a 300-fold dilution of 50% carbendazim (or 75% chlorothalonil wettable powder ) for 12 hours. Then rinse them with clean water and soak them in warm water at 25℃-30℃ for 24 hours, changing the water 1-2 times a day. When changing the water, rub the seeds repeatedly to remove the mucus, chaff, and impurities.
3. Sowing and seedling raising
During the sowing process, first, dig four furrows along the seedbed for sowing, with a depth of 3-4 cm. When sowing, the spacing between seeds should be controlled between 6-8 cm. After placing the seeds, gently tamp them down with your foot to ensure they are buried in the soil. After sowing, cover the surface of the seedbed with a thin layer of soil and level it again. Then cover the seedbed with straw mats or rice straw to maintain its moisture.
4. Seedling Management
Top-dress once a month during the seedling stage, applying 1500-2000 kg of well-rotted manure and 2-3 kg of urea per acre. Additionally, during the seedling stage, a mixture of 1 part lime powder and 10 parts wood ash should be applied evenly and then spread to prevent damping-off disease.
5. Transplanting and planting
Asparagus seedlings are ready for transplanting when they reach 60-70 days old, have 4-5 healthy stems, and are 15-20 cm tall. During transplanting, seedlings should be graded and selected according to size. The standard for transplanting seedlings is a height of 30-40 cm, with at least 3 stems and 7 or more underground storage roots. Seedlings that do not meet these standards should not be transplanted.
