A new batch of “giant rice,” a new kind of rice that can grow up to 2.3 meters tall, was transplanted in the Xinwei area in an urban farm in Xili, Nanshan District on Saturday for its third trial planting season, Shenzhen Special Zone Daily reported.

Workers transplant rice stalks in the rice paddy in the Xili urban farm.

South China normally has two periods for transplanting rice. The first season falls in March and April and the second season in June and July.

“This was the first time we chose to add one more season for rice transplanting in September and October because we want to do a third-season test to help the giant rice grow in the next three months when the city enters its cold season,” Huang Jian, the person responsible for the rice field, said.

Huang said that they will continue to use probiotic bacteria and a type of carp called “rice flower fish” to boost their harvest. He also hopes to promote related planting experience.

The rice seedlings currently transplanted were from the last harvest, and since it was a trial, the plantation area covered only 5 mu or about 3,333.3 square meters.

The giant rice was presented by the team of the “father of hybrid rice,” Yuan Longping. During the first two seasons, its yield reached 1,000 kilograms and the highest stalk growing 2.3 meters tall, making Yuan’s dream come true.

The previous use of probiotic bacteria contributed to a good yield, which gave Huang confidence to plant for a third season.

“I believe that probiotic bacteria will help the rice survive the city’s December weather. Moreover, I hope the rice field can be fully used for scientific experiments,” Huang said.

Next, about 10,000 baby “rice flower fish” will be put in the field to help eliminate bugs. “We expect to harvest both rice and fish three months later,” Huang added.