How to plant scallions to grow well and quickly
Main content introduction: Knowledge about how to plant scallions to grow well and quickly, and the methods and steps of growing scallions at home, specifically as follows:
Among vegetables, there are common ones with a large planting area, such as eggplants, chili peppers, tomatoes, and cucumbers, as well as common leafy vegetables like oilseed rape and spinach. There are also vegetables with a smaller planting area and less planting range, which are very suitable for small-scale family planting and have high ornamental value, such as scallions. The daily consumption is not high, but if you can grow some at home, the taste of picking and eating fresh is better.
In terms of planting difficulty, scallions are not easy to grow. If not planted properly, they often grow thin, yellow, with many dry leaves, and do not tiller or grow tall. However, if scallions are planted well, it is a very pleasant thing, and they are especially suitable for spring planting. Growing some at home not only makes it convenient to eat but also looks beautiful.
I. When is it suitable to plant scallions, and how to prepare the soil and plant for good seedlings
(A) Sowing Time
Scallions prefer cool weather, with a suitable growth temperature of 15-25°C. They are heat-tolerant but not cold-tolerant, making them especially suitable for spring sowing. The flowers in summer and autumn are particularly beautiful. The optimal germination temperature for seeds is 18-22°C. Although they can germinate at a low temperature of 5°C, early spring sowing can easily lead to uneven seedlings and a low germination rate.
The most suitable sowing time for scallions is in mid-to-late March in the northern regions, when the minimum temperature is above 7°C.
(B) Soil Preparation and Sowing
Among vegetables, scallions are relatively difficult to germinate, so to grow scallions well, mastering the sowing method and ensuring good seedlings is the key.
1. Soil Preparation
First, choose a fertile plot with good water and fertilizer retention. The soil should be loose and well-ventilated. If the plot is too dry before soil preparation, water thoroughly, then apply sufficient base fertilizer, such as 1000 kg of decomposed organic fertilizer and 50 kg of superphosphate per mu. Finally, deeply turn the soil to evenly mix the fertilizer, level the ground, and create flat ridges for sowing, ensuring no weeds and large clods, with the soil loose and moist.
2. Sowing
Sow seeds in rows with a spacing of 15-20 cm, with a furrow depth of about 1.5 cm. If too shallow, the roots will not penetrate deeply, resulting in weak seedlings. Sowing a bit deeper is easier to cultivate strong seedlings.
Scallion seeds germinate relatively quickly, but it is best to use fresh seeds from the current year, as the germination rate of old seeds is much lower. Since scallions continuously tiller and grow in clusters, maintain an appropriate distance when sowing, placing about six to seven seeds (ensuring three to five seedlings) 10 cm apart. If harvesting young seedlings, there is no need to transplant, but if you want the scallions to grow very large, you can transplant them, maintaining a row spacing of 40 cm and a plant spacing of 30 cm, which will grow into a very large cluster.
3. Keep the Soil Moist During Germination
Scallions take a long time to germinate. To keep the soil moist during germination, you can cover it with plastic film, but be sure to check frequently and uncover the film as soon as seedlings appear. You can also spray water every three to four days, but avoid heavy watering, as it can greatly affect germination.
How to Plant Scallions Well and Quickly
II. How to Water and Fertilize Scallions in Cultivation to Make Them Grow Strong and Vigorous
(A) Water and Fertilizer Requirements of Scallions
Scallion roots are fibrous with few root hairs, resulting in weak water and fertilizer absorption. However, due to the waxy layer on the leaves and their special leaf shape, scallions have low water evaporation and are drought-tolerant. They are not tolerant of poor soil and require more nutrients.
To grow scallions with many tillers, strong clusters, and even grow over a meter tall when flowering, in addition to choosing fertile soil, the plot should have good drainage and proper topdressing. Otherwise, scallions will grow yellow and small with few tillers. To promote tillering, apply more potassium fertilizer; to keep the leaves looking good and prevent yellowing, apply boron and magnesium micro-fertilizers; and to prevent dry tips and heart rot, apply calcium fertilizer.
(B) Watering and Fertilizing Methods for Scallions
Begin topdressing when scallions have five to six leaves, mainly with nitrogen fertilizer and an appropriate amount of calcium fertilizer. Specifically, you can apply urea, nitrate, nitric acid calcium, or calcium chloride, with our topdressing consisting of 5 kg of urea and 5 kg of nitric acid calcium per mu.
About 15 to 20 days later, apply the second topdressing with phosphorus and potassium fertilizers to promote more tillering and the growth of each tiller. This can be done by applying 3-4 kg of urea, 3-4 kg of sulfate potassium, 3-4 kg of nitric acid calcium, and 1 kg of monoammonium phosphate per mu.
After another 15 to 20 days, apply the third topdressing, which does not need to include calcium fertilizer. Increase the potassium fertilizer dosage to promote the transfer and accumulation of photosynthetic products. You can continue to use the above fertilizers or apply compound fertilizer (with a nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium ratio of 3:1:5), about 10 kg per mu.
Scallions usually require three topdressings. If the leaves turn yellow, you can spray phosphorus-potassium acid or magnesium-containing foliar fertilizer two to three times to promote dark green leaves and prevent dry tips.
Scallion Flowers
In terms of watering, scallions are drought-tolerant, but too dry conditions can cause yellow leaves. Since scallion roots have poor respiratory ability, be careful not to let the field accumulate water, as it can easily lead to seedling death and root rot. After scallions have five to six leaves, they enter a rapid growth stage, maintaining field moisture but avoiding waterlogging, keeping the field moisture content at about 75%. If it is hot in the summer, water frequently, every two to three days, while in spring and autumn, water every five to six days.
The above information on how to plant scallions well and quickly, and the methods and steps of growing scallions at home, can be used as a reference for green plant enthusiasts.