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![IMG_20221223_181446_958.jpg](https://images.hive.blog/DQmQS43NVSpj94osN7wHEBAxKWfCg66BEvwyUDwYJ2CLv3h/IMG_20221223_181446_958.jpg)

Water leaf which goes by it's botanical name as *talinum triangulare* is a popular leaf around the globe. Over here, it is mostly used for the preparation of many kinds of soups like atama, afang, editan, bitterleaf soup etc and it's also very medicinal.

Water leaf as the name implies is a soft succulent leaf with lots of water and highly perishable if not we'll preserved. In the course of using it, most of the water are squeezed out since it has more than enough in it. Although water leaf is available at all seasons, it either thrives or becomes scarce in certain periods due to its nature

Currently, we're experiencing the dry season, this means that there is less rainfall and we all know that at this period, plants either withers or dry off. Water leaf is not an exception, it becomes very scarce and of high cost at this point, but this could be well handled and managed. But how?, Let's find out:

***Constant water supply***: take a look at the picture below, you can see a pipe on the floor, this pipe connects water from a nearby borehole to the farm making water available on a regular basis. During dry seasons, the sun's tyranny saps all liquid life from plants. Hence to ensure their survival, there must be a steady and sure availability of water.

![IMG_20221223_181353_909.jpg](https://images.hive.blog/DQmWc4oo6BcUDwPQjhmBr34CDBHsbG2wsshAjRgAfkPnA9L/IMG_20221223_181353_909.jpg)


***Weeds eradication***: for a successful waterleaf growth, there must  be constant removal of weeds. Weeds as we know are unwanted plants and they strive to survive by sharing the soil nutrients with plants. Therefore they must be exterminated either by using chemicals or hand picking them. But the latter is preferred because the chemicals might choke the ever fragile water leafs killing them in the process.


***Manure/fertilizer application***: For the growth of a healthy baby, there must be a regular intake of breast milk by a child from the mother likewise here, for a seemingly thrilling growth of the water leaf plants, there must be a regular application of food to ensure how speedy it's growth would be. Compose natural manures are advisable, animal dungs would help too and artificial fertilizers may help as well.



My aunt makes a great deal of cash from her waterleaf plantation, who says agriculture isn't wealth?? That's a big lie, I've been a beneficiary myself and I'm grateful for that.