Asparagus is a popular vegetable that is often grown in home gardens and typically planted as crowns (established root systems). However, some gardeners may experience difficulty getting their asparagus crowns to sprout. There are several reasons why asparagus crowns may not sprout, including Poor Soil, Drought Stress, Age of the crown, Planting Mistakes, and Pest infestation.
But the good news is that if the above factors are operated correctly, your asparagus crowns will sprout quickly. In this article, I will explain the whole matter in detail. So stay with me and keep scrolling…
Quick Caring Guide of Why Asparagus Crowns Not Sprouting
| Problem | Solution |
| Poor Soil | Well-drained and neutral soil is recommended. |
| Drought Stress | Apply frequent Watering. |
| Planting Mistakes | Early spring and fall is the best time. |
| Pest infestation | Combined(organic and chemical) treatment is recommended. |
| Age of the crown | Always uses the best quality crown. |
5 Reasons For Asparagus Crown Not Sprouting
1. Poor Soil
The most common reason for asparagus crowns not sprouting is planting the crown in the wrong soil. There are several factors that determine whether your garden soil is perfect or not. Such as water holding capacity, pH range, air circulation, and most importantly the number of nutrients present in the soil.
If your garden soil doesn’t hold enough water, it won’t provide the water it needs to germinate the crown. Also, if the soil is too acidic, the asparagus crown will fail to absorb enough nutrients, causing it to take longer to sprout.
Control Measure
Well-drained soil is very important for the normal growth of asparagus and the sprouting of the crowns. At the same time, the soil should be able to retain the necessary water. Adding large amounts of organic material to the soil increases the water holding and drainage capacity of the soil.
Acidic soil is very dangerous for asparagus. So you need to ensure the soil has a pH of 6-6.5. Determine the pH of your garden soil with a pH meter. If it is less then you can apply a lime-based compound such as dolomite lime. If it is high then you can control the pH by mixing elemental sulfur.
Again, you need to be sure about the nutrients present in the soil. Fertilizer should be applied if necessary. Early spring is the ideal time to apply fertilizer to asparagus. An NPK (10-10-10) gives good results. But the most effective is to apply organic compost.
2. Drought Stress
Drought has a terrible effect on asparagus and is also responsible for the asparagus crowns not growing. If your area has high temperatures and is drought-prone, your garden soil will almost always be dehydrated. When you plant crown asparagus in such soil, it will not have the natural environment to grow.
As a result, their standard physical mechanism is destroyed and crown sprouting does not occur. Besides, such weather is very favorable for insect attacks.
Control Measure
Asparagus crowns should not be planted in drought-prone areas. But if the problem arises after harvesting then you can follow some tips. The irrigation method is very effective in this case. It is basically an artificial process of water application. The best way to apply water in a home garden is to use a self-watering machine.
It is best to plant the crown in a pot and keep it in an artificial environment at home. In this way, you can create a safe environment for the crown which will ensure its rapid sprouting.
3. Planting Mistake
Another major cause of asparagus wilting or not growing properly is planting it in the wrong way or at the wrong time. Most beginners don’t try to get enough knowledge about the plant before planting asparagus.
As a result, they often plant it at the wrong time and in the wrong way. Results stunted growth, crown sprouting, and plant dieback.
Control Measure
There are several techniques that can be followed to speed up your asparagus sprouting. First of all, you have to be concerned about time. Early spring and fall are ideal times to harvest asparagus crowns.
When planting, plan to space the crowns 18-24 inches apart in rows, which are 4-5 feet apart. The soil should be amended with compost or well-rotted manure before planting. Keep in mind that the soil should be kept consistently moist, but not waterlogged.
After planting, asparagus should be fertilized timely and given adequate water to establish a strong root system. It can take 2-3 years for asparagus to reach maturity and start producing spears.
To learn more Check the video
4. Pests Infestation
Cutworms and armyworms are two major enemies of asparagus crowns. They mainly attack the underground portion and eat the roots. As a result, the active cells of the crown die and it becomes weak. Later infected crowns no longer sprout or asparagus falls over.
Control Measure
As both cutworms and armyworms are harmful to asparagus crowns, infestations must be remedied promptly. The things that must be done to destroy cutworms are: Using resistant varieties of plants, Using physical barriers such as foil or mesh, Handpicking and destroying cutworms, Using beneficial nematodes or parasitic wasps to control cutworm populations, and Applying insecticides specifically labeled for cutworm control.
Follow the same instructions to destroy armyworms. However, you can follow biological control methods such as releasing predators or parasites to control armyworm populations. It is important to note that using a combination of control methods is often the most effective way to manage these pests.
5. Age of The Crown
The most common reason for asparagus crowns not sprouting is that the crown is too young. Asparagus crowns typically take 1-2 years to mature before they will produce a significant harvest.
This means that older, more established crowns are more likely to sprout and produce a larger harvest than younger crowns.
Additionally, the age of the crowns can also affect their susceptibility to disease and pests, with older crowns being more resistant.
Control Measure
If your asparagus crown is very young, you will need to take special care after planting it. At least six hours of sunlight per day is essential. Regular watering should be done to keep the soil moist. However, waterlogging should not be allowed to occur.
The application of slow-release fertilizer is very effective once planting starts. Then you can apply again in mid-spring. Always Keep the area around the asparagus bed weed-free by using mulch or manually removing weeds.
Do not harvest the asparagus in the first year after planting, as the plants need to grow and establish themselves before they can be harvested. And the most important thing is to be patient because it is normal for young crowns to take 1-2 years to mature and fully harvest.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
How Long Does It Take Asparagus Crowns To Sprout?
It mainly depends on the age and care of the crown. If the crown is too young it will take longer to sprout. But if it is mature and other factors such as soil, water, nutrients, and environment are favorable then asparagus crowns sprout usually in 2-6 weeks.
Do You Need To Soak Asparagus Crowns Before Planting?
Yes, asparagus crowns should be soaked in water for a few hours before planting. This is usually done to awaken the dormant state of the crown. As a result of soaking in water, the cells inside the crown begin to become active. It takes less sprouting time.
Should Asparagus Crowns Be Covered With Soil?
Asparagus crowns must be covered with soil after planting. The crown should be planted about 2 inches deep into the soil and plan to add soil over the crown as the bed matures.
Should You Put Salt On Asparagus Plants?
Asparagus usually grows a lot of weeds in the soil. So salt water was once applied to kill weeds. But this is actually quite a dangerous method because salt water kills asparagus.
Final Words
Asparagus is a popular house plant as well as in demand as a vegetable. However, its crown sprouting often takes a long time. But if you can operate the above-mentioned factors correctly then the work will become very easy for you.
Things like poor-quality soil, lack of fertilizer, and stressful environment can prevent your asparagus crowns from growing. These always prolong the process and sometimes even kill the crown.
Therefore, maximum attention should be paid to the crown right after harvesting. I hope that by reading the article, you have come to know how to take care of the crown.
Happy Gardening.
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