Planting and Growing Guide for Water Chestnut (Eleocharis dulcis)
Description
The Chinese Water Chestnut (Eleocharis dulcis) is a sedge that grows in wet areas. They can be planted in a bath, pool or in a pond. Suitable containers could include barrels, wading pools, old drums, old laundry or bath tubs. The edible part of a water chestnut is the corm, which grows below the waterlogged soil. To prepare a container for planting add about 20 cm ( 9 inches) of sand, soil or potting mix to the bottom. Enriched it well rotted manure or compost. Add some garden lime or dolomite to adjust the pH to between 6.5 and 7.0. Fill the container or pond with water so it is a few centimetres (inches) above soil level and allow the soil to soak for several days. Then, lower the water level and leave it for a week or so to allow the soil and organic matter to blend. Plant 3 or 4 corms per square metre, about 30 cm (1 foot apart). Plant the corms about 10 cm (4 inches) deep. Keep the soil moist, but do not submerge the soil top until the shoots appear and have grown to about 20-25 cm (9-12 inches) high. Then add water until the level is about 10 cm (4 inches) above soil level. This water level needs to be maintained until the corms are ready to harvest. It takes about 8 months from planting until harvest. Harvest in Autumn (Fall) after the leaves of the Water Chestnut have gone yellow. Drain the pond or container. Leave the corms in the wet soil for another 3-4 weeks until the shoots die back and are straw coloured. Gently dig around the plant bases and harvest the corms by hand, taking care not to damage their delicate skins. The corms will generally be found in the top 10 cm (4 inches) of the soil.
Water chestnut corms are shaped like a gladioli bulb and have a shiny dark brown or black skin. They are generally between 7-12 cm (3-5 inches) in diameter. After harvest they should be thoroughly washed and then peeled. Begin by cutting off the top and bottom and then peel off the remaining skin. The crisp white flesh of the corm which can be eaten raw or cooked. Raw water chestnuts have a sweet and nutty flavour similar to a nut. They can be sliced and added to salads. Even when cooked, Water Chestnuts remain crisp. Water chestnut a popular ingredient for many Chinese and Japanese dishes and also go well raw in salads.
Planting Guide
Seed Depth: Plant 3 or 4 corms per square metre in the soil of a drained pond or container. Plant the corms about 10 cm (4 inches) deep.
Space between plants: Allow about 30 cm (1 foot) spacing between plants
Harvest Time: Harvest in 8 months.
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