How many days does taro grow?

Taro belongs to the Araceae family. Tuberous stems grow from its roots. The stems are rich in starch and can be eaten. The growth and development of taro goes through five growth stages, namely the germination stage, seedling stage, plant growth stage, tuber formation stage and stem dormancy stage.

Taro growing season

The growing period of taro is about 180 to 260 days, which is related to the variety of taro, the environmental conditions of the planting area, the planting time, etc. Generally, taro is planted in the spring of each year, from January to March, and the harvest time is between August and October in autumn each year.

However, the harvesting time varies for different taro varieties. Early-maturing varieties can generally be harvested in August, while late-maturing varieties usually mature around October and can be harvested after they mature.

Taro Growing Conditions

Taro is suitable for growing in a warm environment and is not cold-resistant. The suitable growth temperature is between 20 and 30 degrees. If the temperature is too low, the taro will be frostbitten, and if the temperature is too high, it will affect the formation of the taro bulb.

Taro is a relatively shade-tolerant plant and does not require long days. Short days are conducive to the growth of taro bulbs. Taro requires a lot of water and prefers a humid growing environment. Insufficient soil moisture will cause taro to grow slowly and bulb growth to be hindered.

Management of taro during its growth period

1. Water: Taro likes a humid environment, but is not resistant to waterlogging. Its growth is smaller when the temperature is lower. At this time, it is necessary to prevent water accumulation from affecting root growth. Just keep the soil moist. In the middle and late stages of taro growth, the demand for water increases, so irrigation and watering should be carried out in time, and it should be done in the morning and evening when the ambient temperature is relatively low.

2. Fertilization: Taro seedlings have poor ability to absorb fertilizer during the budding stage. The amount of fertilizer applied should be controlled during this period. Apply manure during the 2-3 leaf stage, apply nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers during the 5-6 leaf stage, and apply urea and potassium sulfate in the early stage of bulb expansion. As its growth rate accelerates, the number of fertilizations should be appropriately increased.

3. Pest and disease management: Common diseases of taro are blight and rot, which mainly occur in high temperature, high humidity and closed environment. It is necessary to increase the permeability of the field. Bordeaux mixture or metalaxyl can be used for prevention and control at the beginning of the disease. Cypermethrin plus appropriate amount of soap solution or resin adhesive can be used to control the larvae of Spodoptera litura.