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Rice

Oryza sativa · Poaceae

The gardener's calendar

The right move for September

Ideal time to plant rice: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.

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ID card

Family
Poaceae (grasses)
Form
Annual herbaceous grass
Adult size
60 to 180 cm depending on the variety
Foliage
Deciduous, linear light green leaves
Flowering
Summer to autumn, discrete panicles
Growth
Fast (3 to 6 month cycle)
Hardiness
Frost-tender, annual crops
Origin
Southeast Asia (tropical and subtropical regions)

Care

Watering

Rice requires abundant and regular watering: maintaining a water layer of 5 to 10 cm on the ground during most of the growing cycle is ideal. Gradually reduce irrigation during grain maturation, approximately 3 weeks before harvest. Preferably use soft water and, in amateur cultivation, use submersion or drip irrigation systems.

Light

Rice thrives in full sun, with a minimum of 6 to 8 hours of direct light per day. A south or south-west exposure in temperate climates promotes growth and grain yield. Commercial crops are located between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, where sunlight and heat are constant.

Soil and preparation

Choose clay or silty soils, rich in organic matter and well-drained in depth. A neutral to slightly acidic pH (6.0 to 7.0) works perfectly. Loosen the soil deeply before planting and enrich it with compost or decomposed manure to ensure good nutrition.

Fertilization

Apply balanced or nitrogen-rich fertilizer at sowing (NPK type 15-15-15 or similar). Additional nitrogen application during the tillering phase strengthens leaf growth. Add phosphorus and potassium mid-cycle to promote spike formation and maturation.

Diseases and pests

Rice can suffer from blast disease (brown spot disease), sclerotium and various rots in case of excess moisture. Insect pests include stink bugs, stem borers and aphids. Maintain good air circulation, avoid excess nitrogen, and practice crop rotation to minimize risks.

Growth management

Rice is not pruned per se. Rather, control sowing density (30 to 50 kg/ha in intensive cultivation) to avoid excessive tillering and health problems. Thinning after emergence can help optimize space and air circulation between plants.

Did you know?

Rice is the most consumed cereal in the world, feeding more than 3 billion people daily. Cultivated for at least 8,000 years in Southeast Asia, it has shaped civilizations and landscapes: the terraced rice fields of the Ifugao in the Philippines are even inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. A botanical curiosity: rice has a remarkable ability to absorb water and grow in flooded environments, thanks to roots and aerenchymatous tissues (with air lacunae) that are highly specialized.

Where to buy it

Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.

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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.