Growing Spinach In Containers Information

The following content is all about Growing Spinach in Containers.

Introduction to growing spinach in containers

Spinach botanical name is Beeta vulgaris Var. Bengalensis, commonly called Palak, it belongs to the family of Chenopodiaceae and Originated in Indo – china region.

Desi palak : Beta vulgaris.
Vilayathi palak: Spinacea oleracea.

Spinach is grown in north India. Vegetable growers mostly cultivated spinach while spinach is limited to kitchen gardens. Most people are interested to grow spinach in a container or indoor environment. You can assume this information for growing spinach in containers, pots, terraces, balconies, and backyards.

Varieties of Spinach for container growing (In Indian region)

1.Varieties with reddish midrib.

Varieties with greenish midrib.
3. Pusa palak: IARI released produce uniform green leaves it is late in bolting.
Pusa Jyothi: evolved treating the seed of all green 2% colchuri it produces large green tender succulent leaves. Leaves are brittle in nature they have flavour and colour it gives 6 to 8 cutting. Yield: 50 tonnes per hectare. It is grown throughout the year rich in many nutrients.
6. Pusa harit: evolved by hybrid sugarbeen x local palak released by IARI. It was developed mainly to suit hilly regions. The crop requires chilling a character inherited from sugar beet. Leaves are thick green and big-sized. It is a late bolting variety. Tolerate alkaline soil.
7. Jobner green: university of Udaipur popular in Rajasthan. It is a mutant variety from the popularity local collection it produces large thick tender succulent leaves. The taste is equal to all green gives a yield of 300 quintals per/ht.

Some of the varieties are:

Melody.
Marathon.
Tyee Hybrid.
Bloomsdale Long Standing.
American Viking.

SOIL FOR GROWING SPINACH IN CONTAINERS

Prefer sandy loam good watering is given to spinach growing in containers and neutral pH is required to grow spinach. Cultivar Jobner green can withstand a pH of 10.5. the crop is regarded as highly salt-tolerant and grows saline soil. Spinach is regarded as still more tolerant to saline conditions.

Mulches and Row Covers: Use fabric covers to each pot to protect seedlings and transplants from frost. Organic mulches help cool the soil and reduce water stress. Organic mulches such as grass clippings, straw, and shredded newspapers also help control weeds.

CLIMATE FOR GROWING SPINACH IN CONTAINERS

Prefer autumn and winter mild climate in plain. Withstand frost and some extent and warm weather. If the temperature is very high, it results in bolting.

SOWING TIME FOR GROWING SPINACH IN CONTAINERS

Sown 2 to 3 seasons and conditions are favorable. Spinach can be sown throughout the year as consider to indoor growing. In plains spring season and rainy season are the important times of sowing. In hilly areas, it can be sown on a terrace or balcony even in the month of April.

SEED RATE FOR GROWING SPINACH IN CONTAINERS

Spinach seeds are soaked in water to hasten up germination. In general, the seeds are sown by hand in pots or containers. But the time of sowing is important. Spacing of 20 cm is kept at the successive times. Germination commences within 10 DAS (days after sowing) will complete in soon. One light watering is given to plantlets or seeds after sowing is essential.

MANURING FOR GROWING SPINACH IN CONTAINERS

Nitrogen fertilizer is more important. Apply 35 to 40 per ha of well-decomposed farmyard manure( FYM) 25 to 50 kg of N, P, K are given as basal and 25 kg Nitrogen after every cutting. Manuring is applied to the soil. Soil health should be preferred.

PLANTING FOR GROWING SPINACH IN CONTAINERS

For growing Spinach in a pot or container, the container should be in the minimum size of 1 gallon Thinned to 3 inches apart or Plant ½ inch deep; Thin to 4 to5 inches apart. Any size container is comfortable for spinach growing. Seeded or transplanted spinach should be placed in pot or container in the depth of 3 or if it is seedling make a hole of conical shape with a diameter of 3 to 4m, between pot to pot space should be maintained 12 inches apart.

Dense plantings will reduce weed pressure. Spinach grows best when temperatures do not exceed 75°F. Temperatures at 32°F may not seriously damage young spinach plants. Transplanting should be done near the last frost-free date for the growing region. Seeded spinach may be planted 3 to 4 weeks earlier. You can read all the instructions on the seed cover about planting instructions.

High summer temperatures reduce growth, decrease quality, and cause the plants to flower and the leaves to develop bitter flavors. For fall spinach, select early maturing cultivars and plant 50 to 75 days before the anticipated maturity date.

The maturity date is about 1 to 2 weeks after the anticipated first fall frost for your growing area. Plants can be left in the garden after light frosts. Spinach will easily over-winter for an early spring crop if the plant has 4 to 5 true leaves formed late in the year. When over-wintering spinach, mulch the plants heavily and remove the mulch after the snow melts in the spring.

Read about Cabbage Growing Tips.

WATERING FOR GROWING SPINACH IN CONTAINERS

It requires frequent watering and is essential for light or sand soil textures. If planting in summer, this crop requires frequent watering at 3 to 4 days intervals. In case of winter or cold climatic conditions, autumn irrigations are given at 10 to 15 days intervals. Water should be provided in such a way that it can reach the bottom of the pot for the root system in the container

WEED MANAGEMENT FOR GROWING SPINACH IN CONTAINERS

Spinach does not compete well with weeds. Weed control is particularly important during establishment. Closely spaced plants will help control weeds. Rake up the soil in the container and avoid root pruning to ensure uninterrupted growth.

INSECTS AND DISEASES IN GROWING SPINACH IN CONTAINERS

Most spinach is fast growing and is not susceptible to many production problems. As spinach growing in a container most of the insects and diseases which are soil-born are eliminated. sterilized soil is recommended to add to the container, if any symptoms appear, care should be taken.

Insects Identification and Control Measures

Aphids: Green or black soft-bodied insects that feed on the underside of leaves. Leaves become crinkled and curled. Use insecticidal soaps, appropriate insecticides, or a strong water stream to dislodge insects.
Slugs: Soft-bodied or shelled mollusks that chew holes in leaves. Control with appropriate pesticides or traps. Avoid moist conditions that favor these pests.
Flea: Beetles Small black beetles that feed on seedlings. Adults chew tiny holes in cotyledons and leaves. Beetles can reduce plant stands or may kill seedlings. Control beetles with appropriate insecticides at seeding or after seedlings have emerged from the soil.

Diseases

Downy Mildew (fungus) Characteristics: Causes indefinite, yellowish areas on the upper leaf surface. On the lower surface, a gray mold appears. Affected areas turn black and die. The disease develops best in cool, moist weather.

Control: To control this disease, use tolerant cultivars. Hot water treats the seed.

Fusarium Wilt and Root Rot (fungus) Characteristics: Plants turn yellow and wilt, beginning with older leaves. The fungus attacks feeder roots first and then the taproot.

Control: Do not plant the crop when the soil temperatures are high (mid-June to late August). The cultivar “Packer” has some tolerance.

Spinach Blight or Yellows (virus) Characteristics: Caused by cucumber mosaic virus and transmitted by aphids. Young inner leaves become mottled, later changing.

yellow and finally they are killed. Older leaves gradually turn yellow. Symptoms develop much faster at higher temperatures.

HARVESTING IN GROWING SPINACH IN CONTAINERS

Harvesting maturity of Spinach attains at 25 to 30 DAS (days after sowing). It may continue at 15 to 20 days intervals. Cut only green succulent tender leaves, winter crops give more cuttings than summer crop varieties. Jobner green gives more cuttings compared to all.

In case if you miss this: Growing Vegetables Hydroponically.

Growing Spinach In Containers Information

Table of Contents