Rhubarb Growing Update: Summer Weeding and Natural Pest Control

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 Good morning.

Hot days have continued recently. I hope you are doing well. Today, I would like to share an update on the progress of our rhubarb cultivation. Thanks to the rainfall, an ideal environment for rhubarb has been maintained. This moderate climate condition is beneficial not only for rhubarb, but for plants in general as well.

Of course, it is also favorable for weed growth, so we immediately began weeding work.

Vibrant rhubarb growth

 Perhaps thanks to our weekly weeding and pest control efforts, the damage on the young leaves has become much less noticeable. We also have not seen many pests recently. I considered trying a natto water spray for pest control, but decided to postpone it this time.

Natto water is made by diluting the sticky residue (natto bacteria) left in a natto package with 1 liter of water and letting it sit overnight. It is then diluted again with another liter of water. Since it may help suppress diseases and some pests, this solution is lightly sprayed onto the leaves.

Healthy rhubarb with little insect damage

 Next is the condition of the adzuki bean seedlings planted previously. They are also growing vigorously. They were planted in soil sterilized for two weeks using agricultural plastic sheeting. There were absolutely no weeds. It seems there will be little to worry about for a while.

Condition of adzuki beans planted in sterilized soil

 As expected, weeding seems to be the hardest task. Since the work requires bending over for long periods, I took frequent breaks while working.

Well then, that is all for today!