Cultivation of water spinach is very popular as a vegetable, especially in the Southeast Asian region. It is very popular in Southeast Asian cuisine and has a nutty flavor similar to spinach. Water spinach grows quickly and is one of the very fast growing vegetables.
water spinach (Morning glory waterlisten)) is a semi-aquatic tropical plant that is actually grown as a vegetable due to its tender shoots and leaves.
Today, the cultivation of water spinach is very popular, and this plant is found in all tropical and subtropical regions of the world.
Water spinach is known by many other names such as river spinach, kangkong, kangkung, water morning glory, water bindweed, Chinese watercress, Chinese bindweed, spinach chinese and swamp cabbage. It is also known by other local names in different parts of the world.
Other local names include Kalmi shak in Bengali, Thooti Koora in Telugu, Kalama saga in Odia, Dagoeblad or dagublad in Suriname, Hayoyo in Ghana, Kalmi saag in Hindi, Vallal in Tamil, Kolmou xak in Assamese, Trokuon in Khmer, Gazun in Burmese. , Rau muong in Vietnamese, Kongxincal in Chinese, Ong choy in Cantonese, Eng chhai in Teochew and Hokkien, and Phak bung in Thai and Lao.
Water spinach grows in water or moist soil. The plants have long stems, about 2-3 meters and even more. The stems are hollow and can float rooting at the nodes.
The shape of the leaves generally varies from arrow-shaped to lanceolate, long and broad. The flowers are tubular, about 1 to 2 inches in diameter. The flowers are usually white with a purple center. Propagation is carried out either by planting seeds or by cuttings.
The leaves and stems of water spinach are edible and can be used in many ways. The leaves and stems are highly nutritious and contain large amounts of energy, dietary fiber, fats, protein, vitamins and minerals.
And it is very beneficial to human health. But eating raw water spinach harvested from contaminated areas can transmit Fasciolopsis buski (an internal parasite of humans and pigs that causes fasciolopsiosis).
How to Grow Water Spinach
Growing water spinach is very easy if the soil is consistently moist. It actively grows in East, South and Southeast Asia.
You can even start growing water spinach in containers in non-tropical areas if you can plant the seedlings in a sunny spot and give them plenty of water.
However, here we describe more information about growing water spinach organically in the vegetable garden from planting, from care to harvest.
Choose a place
Choose a good spot in your garden with full sun to grow water spinach.
Because water spinach plants need full sun to thrive and cannot tolerate shade.
Planting water spinach beside a pond or other body of water is also good.
prepare the terrain
Water spinach grows well in fertile soil rich in organic matter.
Therefore, when preparing the soil, add as much organic matter as possible. Adding well-rotted manure and household compost will be very helpful for the growth of water spinach plants.
Best time to grow water spinach
Water spinach can be grown all year round in tropical areas. But in general, the summer season is the best time to grow water spinach.
Buy seeds or cuttings
Water spinach can be grown from seed or cuttings. So buy seeds or cuttings to grow water spinach organically in your garden.
planting
Water spinach plants root easily from cuttings. Planting cuttings is therefore the easiest way to grow water spinach.
Although you can plant seeds to grow water spinach. Soak the seeds 24 hours before sowing to grow water spinach from the seeds. This will help the seeds germinate faster.
Then scatter the seeds over the prepared bed and transplant later when the seedlings are 4 to 6 inches tall.
Planting seedlings in rows is suitable for additional care. Plant the seedlings at least 6 inches apart.
Care
Water spinach is very easy to grow and generally requires less maintenance. Although additional care is very beneficial for plant growth.
Here we detail the additional care process for water spinach plants.
Fertilizer: Water spinach is not one of the heavy feeders. They will grow normally if they have access to enough water. Thus, no additional fertilizer is needed to grow water spinach in the vegetable garden.
Watering: Water spinach grows very well in moist soil. Thus, regular watering is necessary to grow water spinach.
Cannabis control: Hand weeding as weeds consume most of the soil nutrients.
Dilution: Cut water spinach seedlings at least 6 inches apart.
Pests and diseases
The most common or major pests and diseases of water spinach plants are stem rot, black rot, leaf beetle, aphids and wireworms. Apply biological methods to manage everything.
Harvest
Water spinach plants grow very quickly. And you can expect to have your first harvest 4-6 weeks after planting the seeds.
You can harvest leaves or whole plants. But pruning just a few leaves, or the entire plant with leaves and stems leaving only 3 inches of growth, will help plants regrow.
These are common ways to grow organic water spinach in your garden. Hope you enjoyed this guide! Good luck and happy gardening 🙂
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