the paddy field

[pumpkin cuddler]

I am not sure if there is anyone out there that can help but it has been one of those ambitions in life to try to grow rice.
I knew that I could only grow the rice if it had a husk on and the stuff that you get from the shops has all been stripped of that. Could not believe my luck when some wholegrain rice that we had bought had husks still attached.
I have soaked the rice for some days and guess what, yep some of them are sprouting .
My new problem is what to do next. I am going to plant it into soil and keep the soil very wet. That is unless anyone out there can advise me different.
I have read that rice does not actually need to be kept flooded to allow it to grow. This was something that was done to keep weeds and the pests at bay in order for the rice to flourish. But that was only one thing that I heard. So, If anyone has grown rice, could recommend a book, and internet site or anything else I would love to hear from you.
Until then I will keep going on the very limited knowledge that I have and hope for the best.
Part of the pleasure of the growing and the trying is the best part.

[Lesley Jay]

My son has rice fields I will ask him if he knows. He doesn't grow the rice himself but he might have some tips.

[Earthbabe]

I didn't know rice could be grown in this country. I'd been thinking it might be the answer to the boggy corner at the bottom of the plot but told myself not to be silly as I couldn't grow rice here.

[seasprout]

Nice Rice...

Have a look on this site me duck..

http://www.plantcultures.org.uk/plan...e_grow_it.html

[rhubarbontoast]

I am just wondering if it is wild rice- if so, this often comes from wild grasses, not necessarily actual rice plants. You do get really good varieties of rice that grow on dry ground. The best rice I have ever had was in the hills in Northern Thailand, big fat grains with a really nutty taste.

If it is anything like that, let me know, I'll give it a shot too!

[Alice]

The way the weather is at the moment, the whole country will be a paddy field and we won't be able to grow anything except rice.

[snohare]

Yes, it's a rice against time to prevent starvation...!
I know that the temperatures here in this country are no lower than those of some countries with upland areas that grow rice. However the problem might be that some varieties need higher temperatures or longer daylight hours to actually ripen within our growing season. As with potatoes, there are thousands of strains of rice, one for just about every conceivable situation - the problem is getting the right one.
Such a relief to know I am not the only one harbouring this crazy, hidden desire for personal paddy fields...it goes against the grain... I'll be very interested to know how you get on !