How to grow Chinese artichoke (Stachys affinis)? Detailed methods and timing

SummaryLand preparation and fertilizing: Choose fertile, loose sandy soil with convenient drainage and irrigation for planting; apply 1500kg of farmyard manure per mu, plus 100kg of other compound fertilizer. Spring sowing: The sowing depth is 5-7cm, and 1-2 disease-free, healthy tubers can be sown per hole. Field management: After emergence, carry out intertillage and weeding. Fertilizer and water management: Water during drought periods, but do not apply large amounts of water once the dog days begin; during the rainy season, drain promptly to avoid root rot in Chinese artichoke.

1. Land preparation and fertilizing

1. The Chinese artichoke has thick, fleshy tubers and a crisp, tender texture, and can also be candied into preserves; it tastes quite good and is nutritious. It has strong adaptability to the environment, tolerates cold and heat, and generally rarely suffers from pests and diseases. It likes fertilizer but fears waterlogging, so when planting, choose fertile, loose sandy soil and an area with convenient drainage and irrigation.

2. Land preparation can be carried out in the autumn of the previous year by plowing it, during which exposure to the sun helps reduce overwintering sources of pests and diseases. Apply 1500kg of farmyard manure per mu, plus 100kg of other compound fertilizer, and in early spring of the planting year, harrow and level it finely.

2. Spring sowing

1. When planting, select varieties according to the local climate and soil conditions. Tuber propagation can be used. Generally, sow in holes in spring when the soil has thawed to a depth of 10-15cm. The sowing depth is 5-7cm, and it should not be too deep or too shallow.

2. During this period, control the plant and row spacing at 15×30-45cm. Sow 1-2 evenly sized, disease-free, healthy tubers per hole. After sowing, cover with soil and press it down. Generally, control it at about 1-1.5 plants per mu, with a seed rate of about 100kg.

3. Field management

1. After the Chinese artichoke emerges, carry out intertillage and weeding. During this period, loosen the soil to help promote rhizome growth and prevent weeds from affecting seedling growth. It is generally recommended to pull weeds by hand, and chemical herbicides are not recommended. If planting on a large scale, pesticides with lower harm can be used.

2. During this period, appropriate hilling can also be done to prevent stolons from being exposed. During the tuber enlargement stage, intertillage should be paused to prevent damage to the tubers. If the plants grow too vigorously, prune appropriately to inhibit their growth and development.

4. Fertilizer and water management

1. After applying sufficient base fertilizer, an appropriate amount of quick-acting nitrogen fertilizer can be applied as a top dressing later. Generally, in May-June, apply 10kg of urea per mu, and apply another top dressing in July. By August, during the tuber enlargement stage, apply a heavy enlargement fertilizer. In addition to continuing to apply urea, phosphate fertilizer, and potassium fertilizer, apply 30kg of diammonium phosphate per mu.

2. This helps avoid premature aging of the plants and helps accelerate tuber enlargement. Water management is also relatively simple. Generally, just water during drought periods, but do not apply large amounts of water once the dog days begin. During the rainy season, drain promptly to prevent waterlogging and avoid root rot in Chinese artichoke.