Butterflay Spinach

A robust and productive spinach, with small, rounded leaves of vivid, glossy green, ready to harvest repeatedly throughout the cooler seasons.

About the variety. Butterflay is a late, fast-growing variety with good tolerance to powdery mildew. It adapts very well to autumn and winter growing, but also delivers good harvests in spring. Suitable for container growing too.

€4,24

Itinerário técnico

Como cultivar butterflay spinach?

Um guia de cultivo passo a passo, da sementeira à colheita.

pH ideal 6.2 and 7.6Temperatura ideal 15 and 26°C

Sementeira

Sow directly in the final location, then thin out to achieve the desired plant density; thinning should be carried out when plants have 4 to 5 leaves.

Solo

This is a demanding crop; soils should be fertile, deep, well-drained and rich in organic matter. The pH should be between 6.2 and 7.6.

Clima

This is a crop that adapts well to low temperatures, with the ideal range being between 15 and 26°C. Temperatures above 26°C hinder germination.

Fertilização

Being a demanding crop, compost should be incorporated into the base fertilization, as it will require nitrogen for vegetative growth; however, it should not be supplied in excess, as this would lead to premature bolting.

Rega

The crop requires short, frequent watering, especially in the final stage of its cycle. Drip irrigation is the best option, as it keeps water off the leaves and thus prevents fungal attacks. However, sprinkler irrigation can be used, taking care to ensure the leaves dry out during the day (water in the morning) to avoid disease outbreaks.

Controlo de Infestantes

Mechanical weeding and mulching with organic materials are interesting options for the crop, helping to prevent competition from weeds.

Controlo de Pragas

Aphids and nematodes are the main pests of this crop. To control aphids, apply moderate fertilisation avoiding excess nitrogen, use natural limitation with hedgerows at field borders to encourage beneficial insects, implement biological control with parasitoid hymenoptera and predators, and if necessary apply potassium soap or azadirachtin. To control nematodes, use appropriate crop rotations, biofumigation and soil solarisation.

Doenças

Downy mildew is a significant crop disease; to control it, appropriate crop rotations, wide plant spacing, and avoiding water on leaves and pooling on the soil are recommended, along with the application of copper-based products if necessary.