Leek, also known as green toad, red leeks, wild locust, and rice bran, is an annual vegetable that thrives on its young leaves. It is a popular crop in summer due to its unique flavor and nutritional value. Here are the key techniques for successful summer cultivation:
First, choose the right variety. For summer open-field planting, it's best to select heat-resistant, drought-tolerant, and disease-resistant varieties with high yield and quality. Some recommended types include large-leaf red leeks, round-leaf leeks, and pointed red amaranth. Large-leaf red leeks have 14 leaves, long oval-shaped, with deep purple edges and green margins. Their stems are light green, thick, and tender, making them ideal for cooking. They can be harvested about 40 days after sowing, yielding around 2500 kg per mu. Round-leaf leeks have 15 leaves, with green upper surfaces and pink-green lower ones. Their stems and leaves are covered with white short hairs, and they grow quickly under warm conditions, ready for harvest within 20 days of sowing, producing about 2000 kg per mu. Pointed red amaranth has 12 narrow, elongated leaves with purple stems and petioles. The plant is slightly fibrous and best cooked, yielding approximately 1500 kg per mu.
Second, prepare the seeds properly. Choose flat, sandy land that allows easy irrigation and drainage. The soil should be loose, such as sandy loam or clay loam, and preferably alkaline. After harvesting the previous crop, till the soil and apply 2000 kg of organic fertilizer and 50 kg of diammonium phosphate per acre. Create a 1.5-meter-wide flat bed, and use direct seeding rather than transplanting. Sow seeds in late May or June at a rate of 1 kg per acre. Cover the seeds with 0.5 cm of soil and water lightly after compacting.
Third, manage the field carefully. Leeks are relatively easy to grow and require consistent moisture. In summer, germination usually occurs within 3–6 days. As soon as the plants emerge, perform timely weeding and maintain soil moisture. During hot summer months, use shade nets to reduce temperature and keep the soil moist, which promotes better growth and higher yields. Apply three top dressings: the first after the emergence of two true leaves, the second 12 days later, and the third after the first harvest. Water immediately after each application, and harvest once after each fertilization. A sufficient base fertilizer is usually enough, so no additional fertilizers may be needed during the growing period.
Fourth, manage pests and diseases. Leeks are generally resistant to diseases, but white rust and aphids are common issues. To control white rust, spray 50% mancozeb WP diluted at 700 times or 64% anti-virus WP at 500 times. For aphid control, use 40% dimethoate at 1200–2000 times or 2.5% Kung Fu EC at 4000 times.
Finally, harvest at the right time. The first harvest can be done 45–50 days after sowing when the seedlings reach 12–15 cm in height with 5–6 leaves. After 20 days, a second harvest can be made by leaving 5 cm at the base. The third harvest follows when the new shoots reach about 15 cm. Proper timing ensures maximum yield and quality.
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