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The best time to plant Malabar spinach outdoors is in the Spring when the weather warms up, and all danger of frost has passed. If you are growing indoors, sow the seeds 6-8 weeks before the last frost in your area. In warm climates with mild winters, you can grow it any time of the year.
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- Plant the seeds 1/4” deep.
- Seeds from Malabar Spinach usually germinate between 10 and 20 days.
- Plants will germinate faster in warm weather.
- Thin the weak seedlings and transplant the stronger ones into desired pots when you identify true leaves.
Malabar spinach is an edible vine and crunchy green from East Asia that is popular in home gardens.
Also known as akelga, bratana, ceylon spinach, Chinese spinach, Indian creeping spinach, climbing spinach and vine spinach, Malabar spinach is not technically spinach but acts like one with a more succulent texture. Belonging to the Basellaceae family of flowering plants, it is more closely related to the Madeira vine.
WHAT DOES THE MALABAR PICKLE TAST LIKE? The succulent leaves have a lemon-pepper flavor.
Malabar Spinach Farming Guide:
Today, let’s discuss the topic of Malabar spinach farming, the method of planting, plant care, harvesting and other cultivation practices.
Don’t confuse yourself with regular spinach. Malabar Spinach or Vine Spinach or Basella or Climbing Spinach is a highly nutritious heart-shaped leafy tropical perennial green vegetable commonly grown in many backyards in South Asia. It is different from regular spinach. Malabar spinach is a creeping vine that produces broad and deep green leaves. This leafy vegetable is becoming especially popular in the tropical and temperate climates of the world because of its juicy, nutritious and tender stems. In India, this leafy vegetable is used as fresh leaves in salads and curries. Malabar Spinach belongs to the family Basellaceae and the genus Basella L.
– When to Plant Malabar Spinach
As a tropical plant, Malabar spinach does not tolerate frost, and can even cool down significantly stunted growth. Wait to transplant your Malabar spinach seedlings until several weeks after any chance of frost has passed. These plants will not grow much until the daytime temperatures rise.
So, your friend wants to start a Malabar spinach plant, but it’s too early for seeds. A great trick for propagating Malabar spinach is to cut off the tips of the vines and place them in a glass of water. The tips will produce roots quickly, making it quick and simple to reproduce Malabar spinach even when you are out of seed.
Malabar spinach growing from seed process:
- Choose a garden area with full sun and close access to water. In hot climates, grow Malabar spinach where it receives partial shade, such as in the morning or evening.
- Spread one to two inches of compost on the soil using a rake, then dig it in to a depth of 8 inches.
- To start from seed, sow the seeds within 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost in your area. Seeds must germinate in 10 days to 3 weeks. If you want to speed up the growth of the seeds, you can soak them in water overnight before planting or use a knife to open the hard outer seed coat.
- Sow Malabar spinach seeds after the last frost when temperatures are expected to be above 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Plant the seeds 1 inch deep, 1 inch apart in rows in rows 2.5 feet apart. Thin the plants to six inches apart when they stand 4 inches tall.
- Thin seedlings germinated to one leg. Malabar spinach can be started as a transplant eight weeks before the last frost.
- Seedlings can be transplanted into the garden when the soil is warm and they must be spaced a foot apart. Plants will take off in the heat of the summer season. They do best with some sort of vertical support as they can grow to be 10 to 12 feet tall. They can roam on the ground.
- Water Malabar spinach often to maintain the soil evenly moist. The Malabar spinach plant originated in the tropics and thrives in moist, warm conditions.
- Malabar spinach is a climbing plant that is 8 to 10 inches tall. Buy or build a support that the plant can climb and place it in the garden site. Tie the trellis or supports to the ground with poles, sandbags or other heavy objects to keep it from blowing down in a storm.
- Remove tender leaves and shoots as they appear and usually within 75 days of planting. Continue harvesting until frost hits the plant, and remove any buds. As soon as Malabar spinach plants flower, the quality of the leaves deteriorates.
Note: Malabar Spinach can also be Grown from Cuttings.
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