Are you considering growing rice? If so, you're in good company: rice is one of the most popular staple foods in the world. Rice is unique among cultivated plants, in that it must be grown submerged in water. Not only does rice provide grain, it can be used as an attractive water feature plant.
Growing Rice In Your Garden
Variety: Rice Oryza sativa
Zones: Grown as an annual
Soil Type: Organically rich soil or soil-less potting mixes
Soil pH: 6.5 to 7.5
Sunlight: Full sun
Availability: Rice grains can be bought as seed, or obtained as unprocessed brown rice from some grocery stores and organic food stores. Look for organically grown rice or rice that has been processed as little as possible. Some specialty water garden nurseries may have ornamental varieties for sale.
When to plant: Plant when danger of frost has passed. Container plants can be planted at any time, although water-filled containers can be heavy to move.
Planting Method
Seeds: Soak rice grains in water for 36 hours and then allow them to dry for 24 hours before planting. Rice plants need to grow submerged in water. Any waterproof container such as buckets, lined ponds or even a child's plastic swimming pool will serve as suitable container. Line the bottom of the growing area with 6" of organically rich soil. If you're planting in a pond, soil-less growing medium will not cloud the water. Cover the soil with 2" of water and spread the rice seed evenly over the water. The seeds will sink and begin to germinate in a few weeks.
Live plants: Live plants can be placed directly into the soil in a hole that matches the size and shape of the original container. If you are planting rice in an existing water garden, plants can be placed into mesh containers to limit their spread.
Watering: As rice plants reach 6" in height, raise the water level to 4" above the soil and add water as needed to maintain this level. Add a small submersible fountain pump to the water to avoid providing a home for mosquito larva.
Fertilizing: Rice plants don't need additional fertilization if the soil is properly amended with organic material.
Harvesting: Rice takes three to four months to mature. You can tell if your rice is ready to harvest if the seed heads begin to droop and the foliage starts to yellow. To harvest, cut the stalks off, wrap them in newspaper and place them in a warm dry place to dry for two to three weeks. When the stalks turn brown, the rice is ready to husk. To husk, place the stalks in an old pillowcase with the seed heads inside. Bang the stalks against a brick wall or other hard surface until the grains separate from the stalk. Collect the grains from the pillowcase. The collected rice is considered brown rice.
Diseases: Rice plants don't typically have problems with disease or pests.
Saving Seeds: Harvested rice grains can be saved for future planting.
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