Rice Cultivation
October 16, 2002 Photo Update
THE HARVEST
Rice Cultivation
October 16, 2002 Photo Update
THE HARVEST
In late September & early October, the rice began to dry. The stems and leaf tips began to yellow. I don't have a perfect understanding of exactly when to drain the paddies (to help the rice during the drying process) but, again, the plants are very hardy and forgiving. They manage to flourish through my mistakes. We drained some of the paddies and kept water in some of the "greener" ones.
We kept two paddies wet until harvest. That particular variety has a very long growing season and the harvest was determined more by the cool weather, than by completely dry stems and heads.
October 16, 2002 |
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I believe that rice forms the most vibrant grain, when the seeds are allowed to dry on the stalk. Certainly, the hulls must be full and brown. In this case, the weather has become wet and cold, so I brought the grain in before I was completely satisfied with all of the seed heads. However, I did cut the entire stalk, to allow the heads to draw additional remaining sustenance from the plant.
Please realize that all of the harvested grain is full and ripe. Green heads were not harvested. And there were plenty of green heads. Most of the rice had begun to grow a second set of heads! This was especially apparent in the "mini-mini" paddy that was planted in early spring. Evidently, this wonderful plant just keeps on making grain, as long as the weather allows! I'd love to try growing some in south Florida, or some other hot climate.
I cut the stems near the base and bundled shocks together with bailer's twine. I stapled a paper tag to the twine on each shock, listing the variety and the location grown. All of the rice was brought into the house, for additional drying. In a month or so, I'll cut the heads from the stalks so I can store them. Tonight, we have a beautiful fountain of harvested rice in the kitchen!
The non-paddy rice did really well, considering the 100+ rainless days, this summer. Over half of the heads were too green to harvest. Only a very unusual warm period will bring them to completion. But, I am not sad. Considering the small areas that were planted, we have a bounty of ripe grain!
I'll pick a cold winter day to hull a cupful of rice. We have no way to remove the hulls mechanically, so hulling even a small amount is a tedious task. Most of the grain will be stored in plastic bags and refrigerated (not in the freezer). They will sleep until spring and the grand cycle will renew.
I hope you have enjoyed the pictures and notes, as much as I have enjoyed creating them. And I hope you'll soon have the opportunity to grow a paddy of your own!
I doubt that I'll create such extensive pages, during future years, but I will post new discoveries and items of interest, as they arise. Day or night, rain or shine, I'm always somewhere in The Garden. See you there!