So , you want to acquire kangkong from food waste or seeds at home .
This delicious water Spinacia oleracea is a risque , nutritious , versatile leafy that can be used in a diverseness of dishes .
Popular in Southeast Asian country , kangkong ( urine Spinacia oleracea ) is easy to grow and can be harvested for a year - round supplying of greens .
We ’ll find out how to grow this tasty spinach with ease so you could love the “ fruit ” of your labor in a cluster of Asian dishful like adobo or stir - child .
permit ’s dive in and happen out how to develop this spinach .
Guide table of contents
Quick care guide: Kangkong (water spinach)
What’s kangkong?
Kangkong , also know as water spinach , is a vegetable plant life that ’s used in Asian cup of tea . It ’s not as popular here in the US , but it can be grow very easily just like any other leafy green .
like tobok choy , garlic , orcelery , you could produce it from cuttings and regrow it over and over so you never have to buy it again .
The semen may need to be specially ordered because you wo n’t find them topically unless you have a nursery that specialize in exotics .
pee prickly-seeded spinach has fine green leaves with hollow fore . This leads them to drift easily on the water . Since both parts are completely eatable , this allow kangkong to be used in a variety of dish .
Origins
Kangkong spring up from Southeast Asia and India in swampy , pool - like , or marshy surface area . It ’s a semi - aquatic works that ’s count to be highly invasive as a dope .
So you must break with your local regulations before imbed .
What does kangkong taste like?
Water spinach is similar to regular traditional spinach , with a more or less bitter and bonkers taste .
The texture is also largely the same . It can be used as a substitute for spinach in dishful that call for it if you want something a little different .
Check local regulations before you plant
Note that water prickly-seeded spinach is considered to be illegal in some areas because it ’s considered to be a weed .
So you ’ll need to make certain that it ’s OK to grow in your country before you plant .
Hardiness zone
Kangkong grows in zone 10 - 11 and prefer warmer climate . It ’s found in swampy areas or ponds in Southeast Asia . If you grow it in a colder zone , it can be develop indoors .
Water spinach can also be grown in zona as low as 5 , 6 , 7 , and 8 and higher zone such as 12 , 13 , and 14 . Some the great unwashed have had success in zone 15 .
Or you may grow it outdoors in the garden as an yearly plant .
How to plant kangkong
There are many unlike elbow room to grow water spinach , but most of them require that you originate out using a small vas of weewee to germinate it .
We ’ll begin with the various method acting you’re able to use to start your sprout .
Propagating kangkong
There are dissimilar way to circulate kangkong- from cut , in water supply , and from source . We ’ll cover the various methods you could utilize look on how you source your plant .
start with cutting or scraps is my favorite method because it ’s a flock faster for those that are not patient . you’re able to see results quickly using an established plant that ’s already geld .
The cutting claim from another grown plant will rout when successfully transplant .
habituate sterile pruners to avoid introducing bacteria into the freshly cut wounding . Cut at least 3 ” of foliage . Then put them into white body of water with their stem facing into the water supply .
Continue to watch for any fungous problems . The roots should evolve in a few years . Wait around 10 days to transplant into soil . If the weewee gets dingy , replace it . Keep it out of sunlight during this clock time when it roots .
Planting water system spinach plant escarpment is easy .
This is the method people refer to when they say they want to grow Kangkong in water . The cutting just floats in the water until it roots .
Starting from seed is the most common elbow room multitude get started . This is the irksome method , but it ’s approachable for citizenry looking into growing kangkong .
Because kangkong is toilsome to encounter , people purchase the cum and need to germinate them on their own .
Start by dumping out the mailboat of seeds and invest them all into a minor bowl of water . You only demand an column inch or so . No motivation to overdo it .
Start with a good dozen or so because they wo n’t all germinate . get it intoxicate for 24 hour and do n’t touch them . Keep them out of sunlight during this period and let them be . The piss preps them to germinate . you could get the next few steps done while you wait .
apply a starter tray to begin the process . you’re able to bribe those punk 24 or 36 tray plastic trays and apply a bonce to cover them . If you want to go DIY manner , you may utilize testicle crates .
Stick the seed into each compartment . you may put 2 - 3 seeds equally space in each lame . embed the germ around 0.5″ in profoundness . apply the correct filth for the best result . Space 3 inches apart . Utilize words planting for fruit .
Backfill with soil . No need to use a dress hat or mulch if you ’re in a warmer geographical zone .
tot some water and keep the humidity high up by covering the seeded player tray with a charge plate dome . It should fog up . When the seedling sprout , hit the dome .
Let them grow with a regular watering schedule and proper sunlight . They ’re ready to transplant when they reach around 5 ” in length . They should have at least 4 farewell so they can pull together sunlight and photosynthesis by rights .
When your seedlings are marvelous enough or when your cuttings were grow in piddle take root , it ’s sentence to move your kangkong into your garden . Here ’s how .
First , the good metre to engraft is in the early summertime .
You want the temperatures to be stable and no cold press stud to bump overnight . temp should be above 50F at night and the daytime temps should be around 80F.
This plant likes warmer climates for optimum increase , so check that you check the forecast before you plant . Or else you could kill your seedling . This is commonly several weeks after thelast Robert Frost datein your hardiness zone .
Cold weather will pour down kangkong .
expend a small garden nigga and dig up a hole that ’s about 3 inches deep and less than 1 in wide-cut . The plot should be just large enough for your seedlings or slip , depending on whichever method acting you used to separate your flora .
Place the plant life into the hold mildly and backfill around it with honest lineament soil .
Space kangkong plants at least 6 column inch aside . They wish their space and this will reduce competition for soil nutrients of each plant life can reach their optimum size . Do n’t compress . This may press the soil and decrease the drain efficiency .
After you ’ve set all of your water spinach plant , water it liberally for the first time . They pawn up water quickly and will need a luck to flourish .
Since they ’re a tender - weather plant , they need plenty of piss to grow rapidly and produce those lush light-green leaves . Make trusted you use well - run out grunge so the water does n’t get waterlogged .
If you ’re acquire in a container , there ’s a division for that later .
Row planting
An effective way to grow a lot of kangkong at once is to imbed them in row . If you have a diminutive garden , row planting can save up you space while maximize your crop yield .
Space each run-in about 8 ” asunder with 10 seeds per row . This will make irrigate them en masse shot a lot comfortable and can be set up for drip mold irrigation .
Soil type
Water spinach grows in soil that ’s rich in organic content with eminent humidity and moisture . These character of soils are generally sold as “ clay ” soil . Keep the pH around 6 - 7 .
Add constitutional compost to help enrich the soil . The soil should be fertile , well - draining , damp , moist , and soft . This veg eats up nutrient quickly from the soil like no other to help spur its green leave .
So make certain you add it with everything it needs to help get the best potential harvest home .
Watering
Water liberally the first few times you plant . If you ’re develop from cuttings , it can be planted forthwith in water .
Otherwise , planting in the soil can be done if the soil is well - draining .
Water plenty the first week or so to take into account water pathway to establish . If you see any water getting stuck and pooling , you need to till the soil or replace it with a well drain one .
After the first week , weewee every 2 days when the top column inch is nearly dry .
water system spinach is a athirst plant life so do n’t permit it go dry . It natively grows near ponds and piddle source , so keep it quenched- do n’t allow it go ironical !
Kangkong likes swampy or pond - same substrate , so almost muddied dirt does well . You should be more worried about underwatering than overwatering . They call it water spinach for nothing .
Keep the pH slightly acidic to born ( ph 6 - 7 ) .
Sunlight
Provide plenty of direct , full sun for best growth . It can grow in shade , but it prefers full Dominicus . Kangkong require full sun to produce those gorgeous green leaves .
Humidity
Keep the humidness mellow ( above 50 % ) when potential .
Kangkong is natively grown in swampy conditions so the humidity is always high . The sunshine evaporates the water constantly and raises the humidity .
Temperature
Kangkong is a tropic plant so it prefer warm temperatures .
Keep nighttime temperature above 50F and daylight below 80F. When it ’s still germinating , 70F is a effective mountain range . Plant in other summer or late fountain .
Plant food
Fertilizer is n’t necessary when grown in the soil .
But if you ’re planting in a container or pot , apply a high atomic number 7 fertilizer every week for bigger Green River . Look at the NPK military rank and opt for constituent fertilizer if possible .
You ’ll be eating the watercress anyway , so why not ? Use as directed .
Growing kangkong in a jar
This veggie can be planted indoors in a low mason jounce or even a charge card bottle .
Get your container of choice . I choose mason jars because they ’re glass and it ’s safer than credit card to stave off any leaching . They ’re also easier to see through with no distortion . If you want to grow organic kangkong , use glass .
Put the cutting roots down into the water and use a rubber dance orchestra or string to splice the stalk to the edge of the container . It should be harbor in place so it does n’t go down .
The foliage will grow out of the container and the roots will grow below .
Using a jar is fun because you may follow the piddle develop and maturate outwards while you reap the folio above the jar .
However , using a small container for veggies can lead to poor piddle quality cursorily because of the small-scale volume . Just keep an eye on it . trade piss when necessary . This is why using a glass jolt proves to be beneficial .
Growing kangkong in water
alike to growing from cuttings , you may arise kangkong entirely in a pot of water ! Choose a pot , basin , or other large pile of water system to hold your kangkong .
There ’s no maximal size , as this plant does n’t necessitate to be origin bound to grow properly . The bigger the pile , the more you’re able to develop . However , too big will make it awkward and clunky .
Keep it around 5 animal foot max in diam for ease of usage . A tiny pond can be grease one’s palms for flash and holes can be drilled through the plastic for a DIY plant basin .
The best character of kangkong for arise in water is Oak Quat , because it originate by nature in ponds and small bodies of weewee . Ching Quat can also be used .
The leaves and stems are low-cal density and float on water . So they must be secure .
Next , you ’ll necessitate something to hold the kangkong . It needs to rest propped up so it does n’t light into the water on its side . The beginning need to be harbor in one spot using a mesh wire or something .
The easy solution is to use some kind of lenient mesh fencing fabric that can be draped over the container . Then each stalk can be secured in place using the small squares in the mesh wire .
annul using steel mesh because it ’s hard to do work with .
Or if you need to plant kangkong directly in the water , you’re able to place the meshing so it goes into the water supply and hovers a few inches above the basin .
Use a very o.k. meshing so that it holds the seedling in position , but does n’t let them through . The plant will orient itself by growing root down into the water and foliage above the waterline .
For the next few solar day , watch the radical acquire under the mesh and get worked up . They should seem within 2 weeks under optimal status . The leaves should acquire above the mesh layer and the roots below it .
Pests
Kangkong is susceptible to pest that live field with eminent humidity , such as aphid and leaf mallet .
These can be controlled under careful monitoring and unctuous water . plant in the kitchen eliminates a lot of bugs .
Harvesting Kangkong
This industrial plant is ready to go after about 2 months of growth .
You ’ll notice that the leaves will be long and ovular .
When they ’re over 4 ” in duration , you could cut them to harvest .
Do n’t foreshorten all the leave at once . If you want to harvest the intact plant life , cut off the stem and leave about 2 ” behind . This will have the plant regrow to grow another yield .
Other common questions about planting, growing, and caring for water spinach
Here are some extra questions unremarkably ask by beginners grow water spinach at home . You may find these ready to hand on your quest to grow this herbaceous veggie .
Is kangkong a perennial or annual?
Kangkong can be either depending on where you survive .
If you ’re in a colder climate , it ’s address as an one-year vegetable . But for those in warm climates , you’re able to farm and reap it over and over so it ’s a perennial .
Can you grow water spinach hydroponically?
Yes , water prickly-seeded spinach can be grown hydroponically to spare water . It basically grows itself . This plant benefits from the unvarying water drip mould irrigation because they like to be moist . But if you ’re growing indoors , you ’ll require a bright luminousness to provide the necessary UV for it to flourish .
How long does it take to grow?
Kangkong will sprout quickly in just 2 week . After that , it ’s just a matter of keeping it aliment until 2 - 3 months when it becomes edible and ready for harvest time . The cuttings can be replanted and regrown .
How do you harvest the seeds?
The seeds can be harvested but it ask to flower first .
This intend the water spinach plant must be constitute outdoors in the sunlight for it to flower in the first place . After it flowers , you could harvest the seeds instantly from the seed pod to replant .
Kangkong produces plenty of seeds so you should have enough to replant for a bountiful harvest . The semen pods are unripened stalks that develop off the primary stalk .
Here ’s a picture that you may get hold useful :
Best uses
Both the leaves and stems are edible . you may practice it in a variety of Asiatic dishes like :
to boot , kangkong makes a dainty aquatic plant life if you have an outdoor pond . But we all bang that the main reason you ’d plant it is to use it in a tasty dish !
Further reading
Here are some additional references you may find useful :
Now you know how to grow and care for kangkong
You now have all the basics you require to grow kangkong .
Water spinach is a nutritious , well-to-do to grow plant that ’s not unwashed in the United States .
So you ’ll be one of the few unique growers in the neighborhood !
you’re able to plant , cut , and regrow this veg over and over so you never have to ship in the seed again .
Do you have any interrogative sentence ? Post a input and let me know ! Will you be mature in a throne ? Container ? Or over water system in a jounce ?
Kangkong is a versatile flora that can be grown in a variety of ways . delight your harvest and consume up !
I ’ve always been interested in gardening , but I never took it seriously until I was forcefully gifted an orchid . This was what bring forth me into the sideline and I ’ve never looked back . I enjoy writing about it , but not intimately as much as getting into the dirt and sculpt the staring decorative ornamental to enjoy for the time .
