Hongxia ZHANG, Li FENG, Yanyan TENG, Mingli YU, Yiwei MA, Zhuqi ZHANG*, Yuyan WANG*

1. Binzhou Vocational College, Binzhou 256600, China; 2. Bincheng District Agricultural and Rural Bureau, Binzhou 256600, China; 3. Shuangyashan Agricultural Broadcasting and Television School, Shuangyashan 155100, China; 4. Agricultural College, Qingdao Hengxing University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266100, China

Abstract This paper introduced the advantages of planting sprout vegetables in family rooms, expounded assembly principle of indoor cultivating device and the key techniques for indoor cultivating sprout vegetables in families. In the experiment, we assembled a set of indoor cultivating device for sprout vegetables, and summarized the indoor cultivating techniques of sprout vegetables in families. The indoor planting device was suitable for family members to cultivate sprout vegetables in the living rooms, kitchen, balcony and other corner space by using their spare time. It could not only provide high-quality vegetables for families, but also beautify the indoor environments of family rooms, and increase the oxygen content in rooms. This set of indoor cultivating device and techniques was suitable for planting various sprout vegetables (e.g. radish seedling, water spinach seedling, pea seedling, pine willow seedling, sunflower seedling and various bean seedlings, etc.). This is a set of high-efficient spatial planting technique in families, and also an effective way to increase organic vegetable supply for family.

Key words Sprout vegetables, Organic vegetables, Advantages, Key techniques, Indoor planting, Indoor cultivating device, Family

1 Introduction

In recent years, with the rapid development of vegetable production in China, the supply of vegetables is more and more sufficient, and even in some seasons (e.g.summer and autumn), some varieties (e.g.Chinese cabbage, potato,etc.) are oversupplied, so consumers have more and more opportunities to choose. On the other hand, with the continuous improvement of people’s living standards, the proportion of food consumption is higher and higher, and people already have the ability to consume higher quality vegetables. It can be said that now consumers not only pay attention to the supply of vegetables, but also to the quality of vegetables, and pay more attention to the nutritional value and health functions of vegetables.

Because of their features in rich nutrients, medical health functions, clean and sanitary and non-polluting in production process, the sprouts vegetables are diffusely praised and more and more favored by consumers in China’s market. Because there is no need for chemical fertilizer and pesticide in the production process, sprout vegetables can easily reach the standard of organic food. Sprout vegetables only require simple devices and environmental conditions in planting process, in particular, it does not need pesticides and fertilizer, and also does not need very strong light, even does not need soils, which are very suitable for indoor cultivation in families. At the same time, it will have many benefits for people to plant sprout vegetables in the family room using three-dimensional soilless cultivation device.

People can plant sprout vegetables in some retail spaces (e.g.living room, kitchen, balcony,etc.) by using their spare time, which can not only provide high quality organic vegetables for their family, but also beautify indoor environment, purify indoor air, and increase the oxygen content and humidity in rooms, also enrich people’s life interests and hobbies (Fig.1). At present, more and more people begin to like to plant sprout vegetables in their own homes. Therefore, it has important practical significance and high social value to popularize and apply indoor planting techniques of sprout vegetables for families.

Fig.1 Cultivation of sprout vegetables in family rooms

2 Advantages of planting sprout vegetables in family rooms

Now, people’s living standard has been improved, the house is bigger and more beautiful, people’s requirement for indoor beautification and decoration has increased, and requirement for the quality of vegetables has also been higher. There are many advantages in planting sprout vegetables in family rooms. (i) We can harvest vegetables for eating, provide high-grade characteristic vegetables for our families, and enrich the food culture on our table. (ii) We can provide organic vegetables for our families. Due to our own planting and management, we will not use pesticides and chemical fertilizers, so the harvested vegetables are easy to meet the standards of organic vegetables. (iii) The sprout vegetables cultivated indoors are that grow under the condition of weak light, which is conducive to improving the quality, and they are fresh and delicious. (iv) It can beautify the indoor environment. Now people’s living conditions have improved, living conditions are better, and people are pursuing room decoration and garden beautification. Planting sprout vegetables in family rooms can not only provide high-quality vegetables for families, but also can be used as ornamental plants to view, and beautify the indoor environment. (v) It is favorable for cleaning the indoor air. The indoor air circulation is not smooth, and it is easy to accumulate carbon dioxide and harmful gases. The sprouts can absorb carbon dioxide by photosynthesis during day, release oxygen by root respiration during night, absorb formaldehyde and other harmful gases, and also prevent the radiation of TV and other household appliances, which is very conducive to improving the indoor chemical and physical environments and enhancing people’s health. (vi) Planting sprout vegetables in family rooms is beneficial for enlivening people’s life and increasing knowledge. In families daily life, people often feel dull and boring. Cultivating sprout vegetables at home can increase knowledge of Botany, culture, flower science,etc., and add life interest and hobbies. In addition, many sprouts have important medicinal value, so planting sprout vegetables at home for eating can play the effect of food therapy and health care.

3 Assembly principle of indoor cultivating device for sprout vegetables

The indoor cultivating device for sprout vegetables is mainly composed of three parts: the multistory planting shelves, the moisturizing cover, and the sprinklers.

3.1 Multistory planting shelvesThe multistory planting shelves are mainly composed of two parts: one is the planting trays and the other is the connecting rods. The planting tray has many small holes at the bottom for water permeability. The connecting rod is 22 cm long, one end is thick, the other end is thin, which is easy to insert into the card slot for connection. The multistory planting shelf is generally 60-80 cm high, 3-4 layers, and 20 cm apart, which is made of non-toxic plastic materials. The shape of multistory planting shelf generally has two shapes: rectangular and triangular (Fig.2). The multistory planting shelf can also choose the ready-made three-dimensional multistory plastic shelf with the characteristics of net bottom, air permeability and water leakage,etc., which is required to be non-toxic, clean and sanitary, small and delicate, and beautiful and generous.

Note: A. Rectangular indoor planting device; B. Triangular indoor planting device.

3.2 Moisturizing coverThe key factor of indoor cultivation of sprout vegetables is to keep good humidity conditions in the cultivation device. The humidity in the cultivation device should always be kept above 65%, so as to meet the growth needs of sprout vegetables. The moisturizing cover is the cap covering outside the multistory planting shelves, which can keep good humidity conditions in the cultivation device. It is usually made of transparent non-toxic plastic film (thickness: 0.03-0.05 mm), the edges are bonded by a hot melt. The volume of the moisturizing cover is slightly larger than that of the multistory planting shelves, and the height must be 5-10 cm higher than that of the multistory planting shelves.

3.3 SprinklersThe shower head used in the family toilet can be selected as the sprinkler, which is connected to the water pipe and sprayed manually.

4 Key techniques for indoor cultivation of sprout vegetables

The indoor planting technology of sprout vegetables is relatively simple, easy to learn and understand, but we must master the following key technologies.

4.1 Selection of suitable varietyThe main varieties of sprout vegetables are as follows: pea seedlings, radish seedlings, pine willow seedlings, sunflower seedlings, water spinach seedlings, alfalfa seedlings, Chinese toon seedlings, soybean seedlings, black bean seedlings, mung bean seedlings, buckwheat seedlings, wheat seedlings and so on. However, in indoor cultivation, radish seedlings, water spinach seedlings, pea seedlings, pine willow seedlings, sunflower seedlings, wheat seedlings, buckwheat seedlings,etc.are the preferred varieties.

4.2 Placement of cultivation devicesThe cultivation device can be placed in the living room, kitchen, bedroom and other corner areas, and can also be placed in the balcony. If the cultivation device is placed in a place with strong sunlight, it should be moderately shaded, so as to improve the quality and taste of sprout vegetables.

4.3 Preparation of culture substratesThe substrate should have strong water absorption, good air permeability, sanitation and hygiene, and no pollution. The commonly used substrates are sanitary paper and perlite.

4.4 Picking of seedsThe impurities and broken seeds must be picked out so as to prevent mildew or rot.

4.5 Cleaning of seedsThe seeds need to be washed clean with clean water.

4.6 Seed soakingThe cleaned seeds should be placed in a container with water and soaked for 8-12 h, then dripped dry for next step use. it should be noted that some seeds of small grain type (e.g.radish, alfalfa, and buckwheat,etc.) do not need to be soaked.

4.7 Acceleration of germinationThe newly soaked seeds are wrapped in the breathable wet cloth, and placed at 25-30 ℃ for germination. Of course, some seeds of small grain type (e.g.radish, alfalfa, wheat, and buckwheat,etc.), do not need to be germinated.

4.8 Laying of substratesSanitary paper or perlite is laid at the bottom of the planting trays, and water is fully sprayed in the substrates.

4.9 Sowing of seedsThe germinating seeds are evenly distributed on the watered substrates at a certain density. The seeds with small particle size (e.g.radish, alfalfa, wheat,etc.) were directly sowed with dry seeds.

4.10 ManagementDaily management is mainly frequent water spraying on the seeds and substrates. Generally, the times of water spraying is more in the initial stage after sowing, 2-3 times a day. When the plants of sprout vegetables grow high and cover each other, and the times of spraying water can gradually decrease, 1-2 times a day. In addition, the moldy seeds should be removed in time to prevent them from large-scale diffusion.

4.11 HarvestingThe harvesting time of sprout vegetables is very strict. Even slightly beyond the harvesting time, they will lose the nutritional value, edible value and commodity. Generally, the best harvesting time of sprout vegetables is 5-12 d after sowing. The different sprout vegetables have different best harvesting time, the best harvesting time of them is also different in different seasons. For example, the harvest time of radish seedlings is 5-6 d, that of water spinach seedlings is 7-8 d, that of pine willow seedling and buckwheat seedlings is 8-9 d, and that of pea seedling and sunflower seedlings is 9-11 d.

5 Conclusions

The cultivation of sprout vegetables requires simple environmental conditions, does not need strong light, especially does not need soil and fertilizer, diseases and pests rarely occur, and the cultivating technology of sprout vegetables is also very simple, so people can fully plant sprout vegetables in the home using their spare time. Indoor cultivation of sprout vegetables can not only provide high quality and health vegetables for families, but also beautify the indoor environments, clean the indoor air, and increase the humidity and oxygen content in the indoor air. People can plant radish seedlings, hollow vegetable seedlings, sunflower seedlings, pine willow seedlings, pea seedlings, buckwheat seedlings, wheat seedlings, alfalfa seedlings and other many sprout vegetables in the living room, kitchen, balcony and other some free areas by using the indoor cultivating device. Sprout vegetable production has the advantages of short production cycle, quick and high benefit and wide market, which is a good project for laid-off workers to start a business again.