Detailed Explanation of Dandelion Cultivation Techniques and Management Methods

AbstractLand preparation and fertilization: It is best planted in loose, fertile sandy soil, and the base fertilizer can be organic fertilizer and superphosphate. Seed treatment: Soak in warm water at 50°C, and germinate in an environment below 25°C. Sowing method: In open fields, drilling or broadcasting can be used on the bed surface or ridge, and in greenhouses, large sheds or small and medium-sized arched sheds can be used for planting. Field management: intertillage, loosening soil, and weeding. Fertilizer and water management: keep the soil moist, and apply urea and potassium dihydrogen phosphate as topdressing during the growing period.

1. Land Preparation and Fertilization

1. Dandelion has strong adaptability, likes light and tolerates cold, tolerates heat, tolerates cold and barren soil, and also has relatively strong disease resistance. It generally rarely suffers from pests and diseases, and can be planted in most areas of our country.

2. It is suitable for planting in loose, fertile, moist, and well-drained sandy soil. During this period, deeply plow the soil 20-25cm, level and harrow it fine, and make beds 10-20cm long, 1.2-1.5 meters wide, and 15cm high.

3. Or make small ridges 45cm wide for planting, apply 4000-4500kg of organic fertilizer and 15kg of superphosphate per mu, and evenly scatter them into the beds.

2. Seed Treatment

Soak the seeds in warm water at 50°C, place them in an environment below 25°C for germination. The seeds have no dormant period, and can be sown in open fields at any time from spring to autumn, and can be sown in greenhouses in winter.

3. Sowing Methods

1. Open-field sowing

(1) Use drilling or broadcasting on the bed surface or ridge. For drilling, open shallow horizontal furrows on the bed surface at a row spacing of 25-30cm, with a sowing width of about 10cm. After sowing the seeds, cover with 1cm of soil, then press lightly. The sowing rate is 50g per mu.

(2) Broadcasting can also be done on flat beds, with a seeding rate of about 1000g per mu. After sowing, cover with grass to keep warm and moist. Remove the grass after emergence. Seedlings emerge in about 7-10 days.

2. Greenhouse sowing

Seedlings can be raised and transplanted from late November to early December. If planting in large sheds or small and medium-sized arched sheds, agricultural film can be covered between February and March of the following year, and new shoots can be harvested in late March. At this time, the market price is relatively high, which can increase income.

4. Field Management

During the growth of dandelion, it is necessary to frequently carry out intertillage, loosening soil, and weeding. After that, carry out intertillage and weeding once about every 10 days until the rows close. After the rows close, manual weeding can be adopted, and thinning and final thinning should be carried out. The plant spacing for thinning is 3-5cm, and the plant spacing for final thinning is 8-10cm. In greenhouses, the plant spacing for broadcasting is 6cm.

5. Fertilizer and Water Management

1. After each thinning and each harvest, apply 1 application of quick-acting nitrogen fertilizer together with watering. Do not water within 3-4 days after harvest to avoid root rot. During the growing period, apply 1-2 topdressings, each time applying 10-14kg of urea and 5-6kg of potassium dihydrogen phosphate per mu.

2. It is necessary to water frequently to keep the soil moist. For autumn sowing, water for freezing protection before winter and apply winter fertilizer, applying 2500kg of organic fertilizer and 20kg of superphosphate per mu on the bed surface. After turning green in spring, apply 10-15kg of urea and 8kg of superphosphate together with watering.

6. Harvesting Season

1. In the first year, harvest once or not at all. During the seedling stage, the outer large leaves can be picked in batches for consumption, or leaves other than the heart leaves can be cut with a knife for consumption. From the second year onward, cut once every 15-20 days. When the leaf base grows to 10-15cm, the whole plant can be cut at one time, tied in bundles, and sold on the market.

2. It can be harvested 2-4 times per year, namely 1-2 times in spring and 1-2 times in autumn. If sold as medicinal material, the whole plant with roots can be dug in late autumn, shaken clean of soil, and dried in the sun.