Like sweet potatoes, water spinach is a member of the Convolvulaceae family and genus Ipomoea. Depending on the nation, the vegetable is known by various names; in Thailand, it is called phak bung, while in Indonesia, it is called kangkong.
Water spinach or kalmi saag grows naturally in streams, ponds, rivers, and flooded rice fields, as the aquatic portion of its scientific name suggests. Its distribution includes both subtropical and tropical regions. It is found in many different places these days.
However, water spinach can only flourish in artificial environments like greenhouses or extremely humid weather conditions. This is a perennial plant in warm climates. Nevertheless, Ipomoea aquatica can only survive for a year in colder climates because it is not resilient. The vegetable typically blooms between June and the beginning of fall.
The plant has broad, hollow stems on which the leaves grow alternatingly. Water spinach leaves can range from elliptical to lanceolate, with an arrow- or heart-shaped leaf stalk that tapers at the leaf's end. Based on the requirements of the site and the shape of the leaves, all varieties of water spinach can be classified into two categories:
- Ching Quat, also known as green stem water spinach, is a plant that grows well in gardens when kept consistently damp and has pointed, thin leaves. It also produces white flowers.
- White stem water spinach, sometimes known as Pac Quat, has broad leaves, thrives in water, and produces pink blooms.
Butterflies are drawn to the bee-friendly white to pale purple flowers. The trumpet-shaped flowers of water spinach are likewise a feature of several other Convolvulaceae plants, including hedge bindweed (Calystegia sepium). Its brown, ovoid capsule fruits are 7 to 10 cm long and contain dark brown seeds. Water spinach plants grow quickly and can reach up to 3 meters long, creeping or floating.
Know How To Cultivate Water Spinach
Depending on the cultivar, soil or water can be used to cultivate water spinach. Water spinach seeds can be planted year-round inside, either in a greenhouse or on a windowsill. On the other hand, planting the seeds around the end of February or the beginning of March if you intend to produce water spinach in your garden is advisable.
Read More: How To Grow Chilli Pepper Plants At Home
The plant needs a lot of sunlight. Additionally, water spinach needs to be kept warm and wind-protected. Use a greenhouse plant lamp to compensate for the lack of light during the colder months. Use wood or polystyrene insulating boards while cultivating water spinach outside to shield it from the cold. Use troughs as raised beds for soil-based gardening or as planters for hydroponics.
As its name implies, water spinach requires consistently damp roots. It is crucial to maintain consistently moist soil for water spinach plants. Furthermore, the temperature must be between 16 and 18 °C for water spinach seeds to germinate. When planting seeds for water spinach varieties that require soil, soak them in clear water for the entire night before planting them one centimetre below the surface.
You have two options: Utilise pre-grown seedlings with well-formed roots or immediately plant the seeds on the mesh if they don't fall through. All that needs to be done is set the young plants on the wire; their roots will find their way to the water, keeping them erect.
You can grow your water spinach on clay stones instead of wire netting. Fill a container with pre-enlarged clay pebbles with drainage holes, place it on a plant saucer, and cover it. Fill the planter with water halfway before planting the water spinach seedlings in the clay pebbles.
The Appropriate Care
It is very important to keep the water spinach plants consistently moist. Also, water spinach grows new leaves from its base leaves. If you want to harvest your water spinach more than once, make sure you don't cut off the base leaves while pruning or harvesting it.
Regularly fertilise water spinach for a bountiful crop. Special fertiliser is needed for hydroponics. Also, soil fertilisers are inappropriate. It is suggested to use an organic liquid fertiliser high in nitrogen while growing water spinach in the soil.
Ensure your water spinach plants are growing in a container you can easily transfer if you want to overwinter them. Trim back the water spinach plants and store them in a greenhouse or indoors. The ideal conditions are constant watering and a temperature of about 20 °C.
Water Spinach Harvesting
After four to six weeks, under ideal circumstances, water spinach can be harvested. It does, however, typically take a little longer. Everything can be severed, with the exception of the base leaves. The plant is encouraged to sprout and branch by radical trimming.
The second pruning can begin when the side shoots are approximately 15 cm long. Therefore, increasing the amount of veggies in your diet, such as water spinach, could help prevent conditions like diabetes. Last but not least, water spinach also has vitamins A and C, two helpful antioxidants that support good health.
These are a well-liked leafy green vegetable, particularly in Southeast Asian dishes. It is a favourite among home gardeners due to its quick growth and versatility in different water conditions.