Leslie Massey
Water chestnuts (Eleocharis dulcis) are an aquatic vegetable that can be grown in Australia. They are native to Asia, tropical Africa, and Oceania and have been cultivated for centuries, primarily in Asia. Water chestnuts are a unique and fascinating aquatic plant that can be grown in a pond or water container. They are quite challenging to grow and are rarely cultivated outside of Asia. However, with the right conditions and care, it is possible to grow water chestnuts in Australia.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | Eleocharis dulcis |
| Other names | Waternut, horse's hoof, matai, hon matai, Kweilin matai, pi chi, pi tsi sui matai, kuro-kuwai |
| Plant type | Perennial aquatic vegetable |
| Cultivation | Cultivated for centuries, primarily in Asia |
| Water depth | 2.5cm – 10cm above the crown of the plant |
| Water flow | Stagnant or slow-moving water |
| Sunlight exposure | Full sun exposure, at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day |
| Water quality | Clean, nutrient-rich water with a pH range of 6.0 to 8.0 |
| Soil | Waterlogged soil, with a pH between 6.5 and 7.0 |
| Nutrients | Nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus mineral fertilizers |
| Common pests | Waterfowl, rodents, grazing animals, caddisfly larvae, plant hoppers, scale insects, nematodes, fungi |
| Harvest time | 6-8 months after planting, when leaves turn yellow in Autumn |
| Corm colour | Dark brown |
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What You'll Learn
Water and soil requirements
Water chestnuts are aquatic vegetables that can be grown in marshes, under water, or in mud. They require a water depth of 2.5 to 10 cm above the crown of the plant. This depth allows the plants to develop a strong root system and produce a good yield of tubers. The water should be stagnant or slow-moving, as water chestnuts do not thrive in strong currents or rapid water movement. They require full sun exposure, with at least six hours of direct sunlight per day.
Water chestnuts prefer clean, nutrient-rich water with a pH range of 6.0 to 8.0. Polluted or chlorinated water can harm the plants. The soil temperature should be continuously high, ideally between 14 and 15.5°C. Corms will begin to sprout at around 13.6°C.
To prepare a container for planting, fill it with around 20 cm of sand, soil, or potting mix enriched with well-rotted manure, garden lime or dolomite, and blood and bone (with a preferred pH of 6.5 to 7.0). Fill the container with water a few centimetres above the soil level and let it soak for a few days. Then, drain the excess water and let the container sit for a couple of weeks so that the manure and fertilisers have time to break down.
Water chestnuts require controlled irrigation and 220 frost-free days to reach maturity. Corms should be planted 4 to 5 inches deep in the soil, 30 inches apart in rows. The field is then flooded for a day, drained, and allowed to grow until the plants are 12 inches high. The field is then flooded again and remains so for the summer season.
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Sunlight exposure
The photoperiod, or the number of hours of light and darkness in a day, also influences how fast the corms grow. Corms begin to develop much more slowly if the photoperiod exceeds 12 hours. Therefore, it is important to consider the amount of sunlight your water chestnuts will receive and ensure they get the optimal amount for healthy growth.
In addition to sunlight, water depth and water flow are also important factors in water chestnut cultivation. Water chestnuts prefer a water depth of 2.5 cm to 10 cm above the crown of the plant. This depth range allows the plants to establish a strong root system and produce a plentiful harvest of tubers. Stagnant or slow-moving water is ideal, as water chestnuts do not tolerate strong currents or rapid water movement.
By understanding the specific requirements for sunlight exposure and providing the optimal conditions, you can create an ideal environment for your water chestnuts to thrive and ensure a successful harvest.
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Water quality
Water chestnuts prefer clean, nutrient-rich water with a pH range of 6.0 to 8.0. The water should be stagnant or slow-moving, as water chestnuts do not tolerate strong currents or rapid water movement. Avoid areas with polluted or heavily chlorinated water, as these can negatively impact the plant's health and productivity. Always use a water dechlorinator that treats heavy metals when topping up your pond.
The ideal water depth for water chestnuts is between 2.5 cm and 10 cm. This depth should be maintained throughout the growing season, so top up the pond when water evaporates. If you are growing water chestnuts in a pond, cover the potting mix with rocks.
To help maintain water quality, consider adding fish, snails, or other aquatic organisms to your pond or water garden. These can help control algae growth and create a balanced ecosystem that supports the healthy development of your water chestnuts.
Before planting water chestnuts, clean and clear the planting area of any debris, weeds, or other aquatic plants. This will help reduce competition and ensure that your water chestnuts have the necessary space to thrive.
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Common pests
Water chestnuts are not very prone to pests, but they may still be attacked by animals and fungi. Waterfowl, for example, may damage the stems and corms, especially when the plants are young. To prevent this, you can keep the paddy inundated. Similarly, rodents and grazing animals pose a threat to the Chinese water chestnut.
Caddisfly larvae (Trichoptera) and other leaf-eating caterpillars also feed on the stems. However, unless complete defoliation below the waterline occurs, the plants can usually tolerate this damage. Plant hoppers (Fulgoridae) and scale insects feed on plant sap and may cause the plant's subsequent death. Other pests include the nematodes Ditylenchus and Dolichodorus heterocephalus.
In warmer climates, a rust is caused by Uromyces, and Cylindrosporium eleocharidis causes stem blight.
It is worth noting that there is a species of water chestnut called Trapa natans, sometimes called "Jesuit Nut" or "Water Caltrops," which is considered invasive in most areas. This plant is a declared pest in Western Australia. It invades shallow to deep, fresh water habitats and forms dense, floating mats that restrict light availability, reduce oxygen content, displace other vegetation, and affect the survival of native species and water quality.
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Harvesting and storage
Water chestnuts are usually ready to be harvested in late fall. You will know they are almost ready when the leaves start to turn yellow as the weather cools in autumn. At this point, drain off or remove the water, leaving the corms in wet soil for another month until the shoots die back and turn straw-coloured. If you don't want to harvest them at this time, you can remove the dead leaves, and the corms can be left under the soil for the cooler months. However, come spring, they will start to shoot again.
To harvest, dig out the corms by hand to avoid damaging their delicate skins. The corms will usually be in the top 10 cm of the soil. Corms are ready to be harvested when they turn dark brown. If left in the soil after this point, they will get sweeter, but their shelf life will decline.
Select a couple of your best corms to store for planting when the warm weather arrives. Keep them in a dark, cool to cold place in cold water or damp sphagnum moss or damp sand. Corms that have been frozen or dried out will not grow.
Water chestnuts can be stored in the soil over winter. Cut the leaves and leave the roots in the soil.
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Frequently asked questions
Water chestnuts are aquatic vegetables that can be grown in marshes, under water, or in mud. They require shallow, still, or slow-moving water that is 2.5cm – 10cm above the crown of the plant. The water temperature should ideally be maintained between 14-15.5°C (57-60°F). The plants need full sun exposure, at least 6 hours per day, and clean, nutrient-rich water with a pH range of 6.0 to 8.0. Corms should be planted 4 to 5 inches deep in the soil and 30 inches apart in rows.
A sealed pot that is at least 500mm wide and deep is ideal for growing water chestnuts. Fill the container with 20cm of sand, soil, or potting mix enriched with well-rotted manure, garden lime/dolomite, and blood and bone (the preferred pH is between 6.5 and 7.0). Cover the mix with rocks if growing the water chestnuts in a pond.
The leaves of the water chestnut will turn yellow when the weather starts to cool in Autumn, indicating that they are almost ready to be harvested. Drain off the water and leave the corms in the wet soil for another month until the shoots die back and turn straw-coloured. The corms can be harvested by hand from the top 10cm of the soil.
